In the heart of the Latin Quarter, the Hôtel Atmosphères is ideally located within walking distance from emblematic Parisian monuments and places such as Notre-Dame Cathedral, the pantheon, the beautiful Jardin du Luxembourg, the banks of the Seine, the conciergerie, the Sainte Chapelle, rue Mouffetard, and Saint-Germain des Près area and church.
This historic area houses many galleries and books shops, quality fashion shops as well as restaurants, cafes and jazz clubs.
The Cathedral of Notre-Dame de Paris, a masterpiece of Gothic architecture, is the most visited monument in France. It was built in the Middle Ages, at the far end of the Île de la Cité. Work started in the 13th century and finished in the 15th century. Badly damaged during the French Revolution, the cathedral was restored in the 19th century by the architect Viollet-le-Duc. Its many visitors come to admire its stained glass and rose windows, the towers, the steeple and the gargoyles. They can also discover the Notre-Dame treasury and have a go at climbing the towers to enjoy a panoramic view of Paris. Road distances from Paris in France are calculated from point 0 on the cathedral forecourt.
A visit to the area should begin with the church of Saint-Germain-des-Prés. Its tower and nave constitute some of the oldest Parisian vestiges of Romanesque architecture (11th and 12th centuries). Music lovers will appreciate its rich musical programme. Amongst the luxury boutiques and art galleries that may be found in the area, enjoy a break at one of the terraces of the area’s most iconic cafes: the Café de Flore, the Deux Magots, and the brasserie Lipp, the meeting places of the artists and intellectuals since the early 20th century.
Situated on the border between Saint-Germain-des-Prés and the Latin Quarter, the Luxembourg Gardens, inspired by the Boboli Gardens in Florence, were created upon the initiative of Queen Marie de Medici in 1612. The gardens, which cover 25 hectares of land, are split into French gardens and English gardens. Between the two, lies a geometric forest and a large pond. There is also an orchard with a variety of old and forgotten apples, an apiary for you to learn about bee-keeping and greenhouses with a collection of breathtaking orchids and a rose garden. The garden has 106 statues spread throughout the park, the monumental Medici fountain, the Orangerie and the Pavillon Davioud. There are many activities and facilities for children such as puppets, rides and slides. Adults, whether they are Parisians or tourists, can play chess, tennis, and bridge or remote control boats. The cultural programme is characterized by free photography exhibitions on the garden railings and by concerts in the bandstand.
The temple of the French nation.
With the Pantheon, architect Jacques-Germain Soufflot met Louis XV’s wish to glorify the monarchy in the form of a church dedicated to Saint Geneviève, the patron saint of Paris. The Revolution in 1789 transformed the monument into a temple for Great Men. During the turbulent years of the 19th century, as regimes changed, it alternated in its role as a religious and patriotic monument. Since 1885, the year of Victor Hugo’s death and burial in the Pantheon, it has been the last resting place for the great writers, scientists, generals,
churchmen and politicians who have made the history of France. The crypt houses the tombs of more than 70 illustrious figures including Voltaire, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Emile Zola, Alexandre Dumas, Pierre and Marie Curie and, from 1 July 2018, Simone Veil.
Let yourself be dazzled by the 1,113 stained glass windows in this gem of Rayonnant Gothic architecture.
The Sainte-Chapelle is the finest royal chapel to be built in France and features a truly exceptional collection of stainedglass windows. It was built in the mid 13th century by Louis IX, at the heart of the royal residence, the Palais de la Cité, to house the relics of the Passion of Christ. Adorned with a unique collection of fifteen glass panels and a rose window forming a veritable wall of light, the Sainte-Chapelle gem of Rayonnant Gothic architecture. Designated world heritage site by UNESCO.
Explore the exceptional Gothic rooms of this medieval Royal palace, later a Revolutionary court and the prison of Marie-Antoinette.
The Salle des Gardes (Guards Room) and the immense Salle des Gens d’armes (Hall of the soldiers), built under King Philip the Fair, still remain from the days of the medieval palace, as do the kitchens built under King John the Good. The Kings of France abandoned the palace at the end of the 14th century to settle in the Louvre and in Vincennes. It then took on a judicial role, and part of the palace was converted into prison cells. The Conciergerie became one of the principal places of detention during the French Revolution, with the installation of the Revolutionary Court. Its most famous prisoner was Marie-Antoinette. During the Restoration, a commemorative chapel was erected on the site of her cell.
Designated world heritage site by UNESCO.
Busy rue Mouffetard, one of the French capital's oldest streets, gently guides you down a slope of Montagne Sainte Geneviève, one of seven hills surrounding the heart of Paris; the street is famous for its quaint and typically French atmosphere. Countless restaurants and cafes jostle for room along with the butcher shops, greengrocers, fishmongers, cheese shops and bakeries all along this long (650 m) yet narrow (7 m) paved way. Very popular with students, the Mouffetard area is even busier at night, especially on Place de la Contrescarpe where it would be sacrilege not to stop for coffee at an outdoor table, overlooking the fountain!
No trip to Paris is complete without a visit to the Latin Quarter in the 5th arrondissement, on the Left Bank. The area’s many cafés and restaurants are laid-back and welcoming; they are filled with Parisians, students and tourists. There are several attractions to visit, among them the Pantheon, the Musée National du Moyen-Âge, the Luxembourg gardens and museum and the Arènes de Lutèce. As you stroll through the district you will also come across the Sorbonne, the best known university in Paris; the Collège de France, the Lycée Henri IV, the shopping streets Rue Mouffetard and Rue Monge and the charming Place de la Contrescarpe. The district also has popular show venues like the Paradis Latin, the Théâtre de l’Odéon and the Caveau de la Huchette.
Following the Seine through Paris is a way of enjoying a thousand different escapades on the river, its bridges and islands. Daytime or night time, Left Bank or Right Bank, you will appreciate the buzz of activity along the quaysides and the lapping of the waves. There are any number of ways to relax – aboard a boat, cycling, walking briskly, sauntering lazily, or working out, dining, dancing on barges, exploring an area between two exhibitions, taking a post-shopping break, or sunbathing in a swimsuit. You never fail to be filled with wonder at these riverbanks, classed as a world heritage site by Unesco.
