Place
St-Michel
Metro : St-Michel
The Place St-Michel has always been the principle meeting point for the
students of Paris. This vast esplanade, perfectly located at the
crossroads of the most important streets of the 5th arrondissement, is
also the gateway to the Latin Quarter, serving Paris’ most famous
university, the Sorbonne. The youth of Paris have throughout the
centuries chosen to gather here, and in the neighbouring small, ancient
streets. The first insurrections of the Paris Commune took place in
this spot, as did the initial protests during the student uprising of
May, ’68. The place’s superb fountain, adorned with statues of lions
and located against the buildings of Boulevard St-Michel, was
constructed in 1860. It stands along with a monumental statue of the
archangel Saint-Michel bringing down a dragon. Just across the road
from the fountain can be found the most famous bookstore in Paris,
Gilbert Jeune, favoured hangout for the area’s students. Walking west
of the place one finds oneself in the islet of Saint-Séverin, an
area renowned for having preserved its medieval appearance. The
pedestrian streets la Huchette, le Chat qui Péche and Xavier
Privas are prime examples of this with their half-timbered homes and
overhanging facades. Overlooked by the sweeping renovations made to
Paris during the Haussman era the quarter retains a populist
reputation, a place where one can eat on the cheap in one of the many
restaurants, including Greek, Italian and Arab establishments. Bursting
with energy each night, one can find the music of the world emanating
from the many bars, restaurants and cafés. For lovers of Gothic
architecture, the Church Saint-Séverin is also found here.
PARIS
MYSTERIOUS :
Trocadero
and Palais de Chaillot history
Arc-de-Triomphe
Les Champs-Elysées
La Place de la Concorde
L'Opéra Garnier
Père-Lachaise Cemetery
Pigalle
Notre-Dame
Musée d'Orsay
Musée du Louvre
Montmartre
La Madeleine
Buttes-Chaumont
Les Invalides
Ile St-Louis
Bastille
Tuileries Gardens
Saint-Sulpice
Musée
Marmottan
Eiffel Tower
Passages and Galeries
Palais-Royal
