The Latin Quarter

The Latin Quarter is one of the oldest areas in Paris.  It's called the "Latin" quarter because of its proximity to the Sorbonne, where students during the Middle Ages were required to learn and speak Latin.  Its crooked streets were mostly untouched by the Haussman revamp of Paris back in the late 1800's, so it still remains a twisty maze of narrow alleyways.  This is the Rue de la Huchette.

And this is the scene on the Rue Xavier Privas.

If you are looking for kitchy tourist souvenirs, look no further.  There are loads of shops throughout the quarter, especially along the Quai St.-Michel.

The Latin Quarter is also a great place to get a reasonably priced meal.  Restaurant owners lurk in the doorways and try to lure you inside with great deals on formules, a set menu which usually includes a main course with an appetizer or dessert, or both.  This guy struck a casual pose when he realized I was taking a photo.

Many of the restaurants specialize in local French cuisine, such as magret de canard (duck breast), lapin a la moutarde (rabbit with mustard sauce) and, of course, fondue (melted cheese).

And there are cheaper eats to be had, such as tasty gyros...

...or these sword skewers, loaded with meat and veggies.

And of course, there's always the McDonald's chain...these girls were handing out coupons from their segways.

As we crossed the Boulevard St.-Germain, we ducked into a small park to view the Thermes de Cluny, ruins of a Roman bath that date back to 200 AD.  They are part of the Musée de La Moyen Age (which we visited a few weeks ago).

We walked around the back of the Middle Ages Museum and had a picnic lunch in this pretty park.

Across the Rue des Écoles is the historic Le Champo cinema, opened in 1938.  Currently playing is the 1966 classic "How to Steal a Million", starring Audrey Hepburn and Peter O'Toole.

We continued on the Rue des Écoles, passing by La Sorbonne (aka the University of Paris), founded in the 1160s.

This gorgeous floral wall was in the Square Paul Langevin, by the École Polytechnique building.

The display is made up of hundreds of small flowerpots attached to the wall.

Turning right onto the Rue Monge, we headed toward the Arènes de Lutèce, a stadium that is as old as the Roman baths we saw earlier.  The Rue Monge entrance is pretty inconspicuous.

But just through the door is an enormous amphitheater that supposedly could seat 15,000 people at one time.

Most of these spectators were simply enjoying lunch while watching this pétanque match.

We took the Metro home from Place Monge.  At the Châtelet station, instead of immediately changing trains, we followed the faint echoes of Mozart's Symphony No. 25 until we found this mini-chamber orchestra.