2 Star Paris Hotel Sorbonne - Hotel de La Sorbonne Paris

Paris News Blog

Things to see and do...

The Sorbonne: A bit of history÷

In 1253, Robert de Sorbon, Saint LouisÌs confessor, founded a college for poor students of theology. The Pope gave his approval to this establishment, which would one day become the University of Paris. The college provided courses in dialectics, astronomy, grammar and rhetoric as well as arithmetic.

Its students (up to 10,000) were subjected to very strict discipline, rising early and studying until nightfall. The only vestiges of the ancient college that remain are the foundations of the chapel, which can be seen today in the courtyard of the Sorbonne.

Cardinal Richelieu, named headmaster of the Sorbonne in August 1622, decided to reconstruct the schoolÌs buildings, and entrusted the project to Jacques Le Mercier. The first stone was laid on 28 March 1627. Work on the SorbonneÌs chapel began in 1635; Richelieu died in 1642 and his tomb, sculpted by Girardon, can be admired there. The chapel is the only building remaining from this era.

For reasons of space, the Sorbonne was once again reconstructed in 1883 by Nénot. Amphitheaters, examination halls, laboratories, a library containing nearly 2 million books and an astronomy tower were built to meet the needs of the increasing number of students.

The international reputation of the Sorbonne, which has always been one of the most important colleges in Europe, is thus firmly anchored in a long university tradition.

The cyberlatin quarter starts waking up:

an early morning jog from Cluny to Maubert square.

Forty minutes of morning exercise will take you through the Ecoles area, with just enough going on at this time of day, and in front of the Cluny Museum.But wait, itÌs not over!Continue a few strides up the rue de la Sorbonne. Rue Soufflot, breathe in.

The Pantheon, breath out. Saint Genevieve Church, breathe! Here you are at the top of the hill, overlooking the neighborhood.

Change paces, and discover in the labyrinth of streets the Ecole Polytechnique, Collège de France and Lycée Louis Le Grand.

Your run ends at Maubert square, stretching out before you with an invitation to enjoy a well-earned breakfast.

Know-how and quality: neighborhood bakers

RICHARD BERTRAND 10, rue Lagrange 01.43.25.37.00	LOHEZIC 47 ter, boulevard Saint Germain 01.43.54.04.14
LES SAVEURS DU PANTHEON 200, rue Saint Jacques 04.43.54.26.37	ERIC KAISER 8 et 14, rue Monge 04.44.07.31.61

Taste buds, wake up!

Blend in with the neighborhood, stroll through the markets (Censier, Maubert) and discover the shops that cater to the most knowledgeable gourmets:
Pâtisserie GERARD BEAUFORT 6, rue Linné 01.47.04.10.94
And all along the rue Saint Jacques:

Pâtisserie BON 159, rue Saint Jacques 01.43.54.26.44	Boucherie AUX FINS GOURMETS 202, rue Saint Jacques 01.4.54.59.44
Traiteur GUILLEMARD 241, rue Saint Jacques 01.43.26.97.17	Boucherie CHARCELLAY 263, rue Saint Jacques 01.43.26.77.23

A detour for your taste buds: the regions of France, wines and gastronomic specialties÷
     PAPILLES 30, rue Gay-Lussac 01.43.25.20.79
Or just wine:

LES CAVES DU PANTHEON 174, ue Saint Jacques 01.46.33.9.35	NECTAR 25, rue des Ecoles 01.43.26.99.43
NICOLAS 198, rue Saint Jacques 01.43.54.67.38

Coffee anyone?

Brasserie du Luxembourg 58, boulevard Saint Michel 01.43.54.53.24	GRAND BAR CLUNY 82, boulevard Saint Germain 04.43.54.14.56
LE VILLON 88, boulevard Saint Germain 01.43.54.65.94

A traditional bistro, meeting place for intellectuals:
     PERRAUDIN 157, rue Saint Jacques 01.46.33.15.75

If you would like a drink:

LONG HOP 27, rue Frédéric Sauton

LE PARADIS DU FRUIT 5, rue Gît-le-C™ur

The Latin Quarter, still and always bubbling with life, has opened its doors to cyberspace, but the streets between Guy-Lussac and the rue des Ecoles are still a perfect place to find small bookstores and used books.

Books:

LES PUF 49, rue Saint Michel 01.44.41.81.20	VRIN 6, place de la Sorbonne 04.43.54.03.47
THE ABBAYE BOOK 29, rue de la Parcheminerie

Hungry?

Too late for breakfast, too early for lunch: how about some brunch?

DALLOYAU 2, place Edmond Rostand 01.43.29.31.10

LE ROSTAND 6, place Edmond Rostand 01.43.54.61.58

ERIC KAISER 8 et 14, rue Monge 04.44.07.31.61

Noon meeting places, to relax and enjoy an ÏapéritifÓ:

COMPTOIR DU PANTHEON 5, rue Soufflot 04.43.54.75.36	LÌESCHOLLIER 5, place de la Sorbonne 01.54.34.34.43
LE LUTECE 8, boulevard Saint Michel 01.43.26.27.33

The Boulevard Saint Michel, a decidedly cosmopolitan place, offers Asian-style Ïfast foodÓ to those who are just a little hungry or who have just a little time÷
Spécialité grecques 17, rue de la Huchette 01.43.54.89.11 But the boulevard also has traditional eating places:

COSNIER 8, rue Gay-Lussac 01.43.54.31.69

REGLAIT 38, rue des Ecoles 01.43.54.91.01

12/14 : book your table ! taste seafood: Bistrot côté mer 16, boulevard Saint Germain 01.43.54.59.10 And spots with a more ÏParisianÓ flavor: CHEZ RENE 14, boulevard Saint Germain 01.43.26.42.80 Somewhat more conventional: LES FONTAINES 9,rue Soufflot 01.43.26.42.80 LES BOUCHONS DE FRANCOIS CLERC 12, rue de lÌHôtel Colbert 01.43.26.27.33

In the heart of the Latin quarter, from medieval novels to the Cluny gardens÷

In the heart of the Latin quarter, from medieval novels to the Cluny gardens:In the middle of the Saint Germain district, the new Cluny gardens are both medieval and contemporary. Take a unique walk along the botanical gardens, listening to the comments of experts. They will lead you from the flowers used in tapestries from the Middle Ages (rewoven to match the originals identically) to the museum itself.

Visits of the gardens and museum, workshops for children, concert-conference Saturdays and Ïone month, one dayÓ exhibitions presented on Wednesdays.

Shopping and original gifts:

Candle shop: DYPTIQUE 34, boulevard Saint Germain 01.43.26.45.27	Clothes and dishes from Japan and Africa÷ HUANT 50-52, rue Galande 01.45.33.67.56
Unusual and practical items: QUART DE POIL 21-27, rue de Bièvre 01.43.29.58.32	SCULPTURES-JEUX 18, rue Domat 01.43.54.20.39

Tour from the Sorbonne to Saint Séverin: preferably by foot, to enjoy all its richness. More restful than the morningÌs jogging route, this itinerary will take you to the most famous avant-garde cinema: the Champo.

The tour continues on to the place de la Sorbonne, rue Victor Cousin, rue Cujas and a climb to the top of the PantheonÌs dome to get an exceptional view of Paris. On up Montagne Sainte Geneviève street and through a labyrinth of steep alleys÷

Then come the mythical rue de la Huchette and Xavier Privas, Saint Séverin and Boutebrie streets, an area where the aromas of Greek cuisine will tempt your nostrils.And finally, here we are at the Saint Séverin church and the Cluny gardens.

The evening is just beginning÷

with a dinner TOUTOUNE 5, rue de Pontoise 04.43.26.58.81 a cocktail SHYWAWA 7, rue du petit Pont 01.46.33.16.76 PETITE TAVERNE 3, rue de la Huchette 04.43.54.67.54 a beer LA GUEUSE 19, rue Soufflot 01.43.54.63.00 PICADILLY PUB 92, boulevard Saint Germain 01.46.33.51.16 a shot of whisky BOMBARDIER 2, place du Panthéon 01.43.54.79.22 a glass of wine MAUZAC 7, rue lÌabbé de lÌEpée 01.46.33.75.22 CAFE DE LA NOUVELLE MAIRIE 19-21, rue des Fossés Saint Jacques 01.44.07.04.41

A cultural evening in the avant-garde cinemas, or an unforgettable evening in the areaÌs nightclubs, or perhaps a cosmopolitan evening÷until dawn, so that you wonÌt miss anything of Latin quarter nightlife.

Cinemas near the Sorbonne:

CINE CHAMPO 51, rue des Ecoles 01.43.54.51.60. 01.40.30.30.31 (réservations)	REFLET MEDICIS 3, rue Champollion 01.43.54.42.34
ACCATTONE 20, rue de Cujas 01.46.33.86.86	QUARTIER LATIN 9, rue Champollion 01.43.26.84.65
DIAGONAL EUROPA 13, rue Victor cousin 01.40.46.01.21	STUDIO GALANDE 42, rue Galande 01.43.54.72.71

After the film, the evening can continue in a ÏcinematicÓ atmosphere:
   Au REFLET 6, rue Chmpollion 01.43.29.97.27

For jazz fans:

le PETIT JOURNAL 71, boulevard Saint Michel 01.43.26.28.59	Le CAVEAU DE LA HUCHETTE 5, rue la Huchette 06.46.33.33.64
le BISTROT DE LA HUCHETTE 27, rue de la Huchette 01.53.10.83.26	à LA GUILLOTINE 52, rue Galande 01.44.07.06.51
DIAGONAL EUROPA 13, rue Victor cousin 01.40.46.01.21	STUDIO GALANDE 42, rue Galande 01.43.54.72.71

To get away from it all, or for a complete change of scene, take a trip through the bars and restaurants:

LE PANTALON 7, rue Royet-Collard 01.40.51.85.85	CHARLYÌBAR 26, rue Parchemine 06.83.62.61.04
EL FOGON SAINT JULIEN 10, rue Saint Julien le Pauvre 01.43.54.31.33	ANAHUACALLI 30, rue des Bernardins 01.43.26.10.20
POLLY MAGGOO 11,rue Saint Jacques 06.46.33.33.64	AU COIN DES GOURMETS 5, rue Dante 01.43.26.42.92

Musée du Louvre
75058 Paris cedex 01
01.40.20.53.17

Open every day except Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. (9 a.m. to /// Mondays and Wednesdays)

Transportation:

Metro : Palais Royal

La Tour Eiffel :
This 317-meter high monument weighs 10,100 tons. Built by Gustave Eiffel to be the star of the WorldÌs Fair, it has both fans and detractors. It is in any case the worldÌs most well-known monument.

The Tuileries gardens

The gardens cover 25 hectares, from the Carrousel du Louvre to the Place de la Corcorde, and from the rue de Rivoli to the banks of the Seine. These formal gardens were originally decreed by Catherine de Médicis, but their present contours were determined by Le Nôtre in 1664.

The gardensÌ two terraces, one to the north and the other to the south, both flow gracefully out to the Place de la Concorde. The gardensÌ northern terrace (on the same side as the Jeu de Paume museum) looks out over the Terrasse des Feuillants (named after a nearby Benedictine convent).

It was on this terrace that the Salle du Manège sheltered the 1789 National Assembly and subsequent revolutionary assemblies.

The Champs Elysées

The famous Champs-Elysées avenue. At the top of the avenue, Place de lÌEtoile, you can see the Arc de Triomphe, which was built to the memory of NapoleonÌs army.

Beaubourg Ò Centre Georges Pompidou
75004 Paris
01.44.78.12.33

Open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. every day except Tuesdays.

Transportation:

Metro : Rambuteau, Hôtel de Ville, Châtelet.

ÏItÌs a ship÷No, itÌs a refinery÷No, itÌs an elephant÷Ó The photos are there to prove it: you can imagine the smokestacks on a ship, the pipes of a refinery or an elephantÌs trunk÷

Children love this explanation of Beaubourg.A walk up to Beaubourg clearly shows, with no need for explanation, the simple ÏErector setÓ structure of this building created twenty years ago by the architects Renzo Piano and Richard Rogers.

| | | | | | |