Quartier Latin & St Germain des Prés

This scenic walk will take you past one of the world's most famous monuments, the Eiffel Tower, as well as Napoleon's tomb, museums and upscale stores.

 

Of course you can't travel to Paris without visiting the Eiffel Tower. The lines may look discouraging, but you can buy your ticket online and climb the tower stairs to save time. There are even subterranean tours!

 

After a tasty lunch or coffee break, continue toward Les Invalides. This majestic military hospital, commissioned by Louis XIV, is famous for its golden dome, underneath which Napoleon's crypt can be found. The building has over 10 miles of corridors, and is also home to the Musée de l’Armée, ​​and a church that was built for wounded soldiers. Inside the flags for Napoleon's battles still hang on display. The courtyard remains in use as the prime location for important national ceremonies.

 

Stroll over the elegant Champs-Élysées. It starts at Place de la Concorde, with its Egyptian obelisk and, depending on the season, Ferris wheel. From this square you will have an amazing view out over monumental Paris. 

The Champs-Élysées has many upscale and expensive stores, such as Louis Vuitton, as well as larger and more affordable chain stores. 



Nearby the Champs-Élysées there are several other beautiful avenues, including Avenue Montaigne. Together with Avenue George V this forms Le Triangle d’Or ("golden triangle"). At the end of the Champs-Élysées you will find the Arc de Triomphe. It can be reached through the tunnel that runs underneath the busy square. 

This is a walk with many world-famous monuments, that everyone should see at least once.

 

Île de la Cité is where Paris's first residents lived. It is home to the Notre-Dame. This cathedral is definitely worth visiting, as is La Conciergerie, the prison where Marie-Antoinette spent her final days. The Sainte-Chapelle cathedral has beautiful stained-glass windows. You can enter it through the Palais de Justice. The other island, Île Saint-Louis, is known for its stately homes. This is one of the most expensive—and most desirable—parts of town. Who wouldn't want to live here?

 

Quartier Latin is home to major universities and prep schools. You will even encounter remnants of the Roman era here. The hilltop features the impressive Panthéon, where famous French are laid to rest, including Voltaire, Rousseau, and Victor Hugo. Nearby the Panthéon you will find the vibrant Rue Mouffetard, full of cafés and restaurants suitable for any budget. The charming Contrescarpe square offers a welcome break from all the surrounding hustle and bustle. Scenic Jardin du Luxembourg is also a pleasant escape.

 

Saint-Germain-des-Prés is a neighborhood with many great designers and beautiful stores. You can find something for every budget here, because there are also plenty of studios of young designers. This walk will take you past cafés celebrated for their clientele of famous authors. Sartre and Simone de Beauvoir were regulars at Les Deux Magots and Café de Flore. Philosophic events are still held here. Opposite the cafés lies Saint-Germain-des-Prés, the church with the oldest steeple in Paris.