A walk through the Latin Quarter: discovering what it truly means to be French

Supplied by: Vidi Guides

Overview

Most people who visit Paris don’t fall in love with the city because of her grand buildings or boulevards, but because of her rhythm of life. By the end of this tour, you should walk away with a better understanding of what it means to be a Parisian.

We start on the famous Rue Mouffetard market street. We’ll dive straight into France’s most delicious produce and explain the differences between various cheeses, wines and regions. We’ll learn about the tips and tricks used by monks to create the world’s most expensive wine, and what type of cows make the best cheese. Any conversation of sufficient length with a French person will inevitably lead to a great meal they once had - and by the end of this section you’ll be able to hold your own on any of these topics!

You’ll be hard-pressed to find a Parisian neighbourhood with more churches. From the controversial Eglise St Medard, to the amazing but slightly wonky St Etienne du Mont church (we think the architect must have been drunk when designing it), we’ll explore the best churches the Latin Quarter has to offer. We’ll also speak about France’s often tumultuous relationship with religion and try to understand why this is the case.

For all the bookworms out there, you'll be able to see lovely Parisian bookshops and walk past Ernest Hemingway's old apartment. We’ll discover the lost generation and visit some spots from the movie that celebrated them: “Midnight in Paris”. Wander at your own pace in one of the oldest parts of Paris as you stumble upon the Philippe Auguste Wall.

We’ll take in some of Paris’ most photogenic spots as we wander towards the Panthéon. We’ll pause to appreciate the great people buried here and the history, relevance and Roman influence that makes this monument unique. We’ll also open up on sensitive topics that have affected France in recent times, discussing France’s relationship with immigration and the rise of the far right.

Finally, as the self-guided podcast tour comes to an end at La Sorbonne, you'll learn about this area’s ties with education and why many historians call the Latin Quarter the “Google of the middle ages”.

The Vidi Guides experience is enriched with on-screen photos and videos. We also point out where to take the perfect Instagram photos during the tour, and include recommendations for food, drinks, and local attractions. Don't worry, none of our recommendations are sponsored - they are simply favourites of the locals who helped craft the experience.

Vidi Guides creates immersive audio experiences that are like podcasts. This is a self-guided audio tour that can be started or stopped at your own convenience. Download the Vidi Guides app & your Latin Quarter tour to explore the area independently and safely! Make sure to download your tour before your visit to streamline your trip!