“Crede quod habes, et habes” is a truly beautiful Latin phrase that can be translated to “Believe that you have it, and you will have it”. It is relevant here because the 5th arrondissement is also known as the Latin Quarter, where the first Parisian university was situated, the Sorbonne. Latin was the language that all the students during the medieval period used to speak. The area has been the centre of intellectual achievement for many years, attracting great minds such as James Joyce and Ernest Hemmingway. The Sorbonne still stands beautifully in this area of highly concentrated educational establishments.
Architecture in the 5th Arrondissement
However, that is not the only impressive building in the area; Louis XV originally conceived the Panthéon as a grand-neo Classical church, although now it is an ancient mausoleum where historic French figures are buried. The likes of Roussau and Voltaire are buried there.
If you are a fan of nature, you can stroll through the Jardin des plantes, Paris’ botanical gardens, which also contains their Natural History Museum, a perfect place to spend a summer’s day.
Food and Drink in the 5th Arrondissement
If you are the sort of person who likes to people watch, then the 5th arrondissement is the place for you. With all the educational establishments, students from all over the world roam the streets between classes. Plus, since there are so many sights in the area, it attracts a lot of tourists. As a local, you can take advantage of this by finding those places that which offer great deals on food and drink to bring in business from tourists. Scoping out the area will pay off, as just outside the main Latin Quarter area are some quaint cafes and bistros, which serve authentic non-touristy French food at an extremely reasonable price.
Transport in the 5th Arrondissement
There is an abundance of metro stations in the area with St. Michel being particularly convenient as it takes you directly to Charles de Gaulle Airport.
If you love the sound of spending your days walking down streets lined with historic culture and literary charm, then the 5th arrondissement is for you.
Home Hunts will be happy to recommend a property in this area that reflects the class that is seen in the surrounding buildings.
