Discover the beautiful parks and gardens in the Latin Quarter, as well as some of the most exciting historical landmarks and statues that make any stroll in this neighbourhood lovely.

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Place Saint-Michel

A small public square across from the bridge Pont Saint-Michel, tourists flock here to take a picture in front of the famous fountain. Fontaine Saint-Michel was created mid-19th century by architect Davioud. The sculpture above the fountain, which features the archangel Saint Michel, was meant to be of Napoleon III but created too much controversy. Instead, Davioud and a team of sculptors, using bronze, created the archangel slaying the devil, surrounded by two dragons spurting water, and statues representing the cardinal virtues (prudence, power, justice, and temperance). Davioud, who designed this fountain, is also responsible for countless sculptures, gates, temples, and pavilions throughout the city’s parks.

University La Sorbonne

Founded in 1257, the university started as a school for poor theology students who were eager to learn about Christian dogma and its scriptures. Sanctioned by the Pope, the school quickly grew in numbers and became the base for the University of Paris; a campus-less university that focused on four main faculties, including theology, medicine, law and liberal arts. The campus as it’s known today took centuries to create, with expansions and additions over the years – the first proper libraries and lecture halls only added in the 1600s under the direct of Cardinal Richelieu. The university has remained standing through every major regime change, with minor closures after the Revolution until it was re-established under the French Empire early 19th century. During the 20th century, the university continued to expand, no longer all attached and with various schools throughout the Latin Quarter.

Jardin des Plantes

The Jardin des Plantes is more than just another botanical garden – it is a historical and medicinal garden in Paris, with over 10,000 species of plants houses here. Founded in 1626 by the court physician, it was opened as a royal medicinal garden. Less than 20 years later it was opened to the public, and shortly after it became more than just a place of refuge and relaxation, but a place to study plants.

Now when visiting, guests can enjoy the vast gardens and tropical greenhouses, the ménagerie (small zoo), the metal Buffon gazebo (it was one of the first of its kind in the world), the maze, and the historical galleries that focus on biodiversity and geodiversity, as well as the history of some of the species represented here. You can even take a botany workshop here if looking for a unique and memorable activity. Or simply pose with the pistachio tree that’s over 300 years old. You’ll also see a plaque outside the old science laboratories housed here commemorating Henri Becquerel’s discovery of radioactivity in 1986.

Particular gardens of interest include the Rose Garden, which features over 150 types of European roses, and the Alpine Garden that has over 2000 plants from the alps, North America, and the Pyrenees. People also tend to flock to the famous Cedar of Lebanon, which is over 40ft in circumference and has was planted in the 18th century.