Paris is full of beautiful districts that each have their own charm. First time visitors to Paris will want to spend most of their time visiting main attractions such as the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower, and the Arc de Triomphe. Adding a day trip to Versailles into the mix is never a bad idea either. However, even if this is your first time in the French capital, it’s worth exploring other parts of the city too. The 5th arrondissement of Paris is a great example of a district that many people visit but don’t explore in its entirety.
This part of Paris is home to the Latin Quarter, an area dominated by educational institutions since the 12th century. The 5th arrondissement is also one of the oldest districts of Paris, so there are a lot of historic sites and monuments to discover. You’ll even find traces of the city’s Roman past scattered around this district.
Beyond its historic core, the 5th arrondissement is a popular place to live or base yourself from, with numerous cafes, restaurants, bookstores, and locally run businesses lining its streets. Here’s everything you need to know about visiting the 5th arrondissement of Paris.
Things to do in the 5th arrondissement of Paris
Catch a glimpse of Notre Dame
Although Notre Dame sits opposite the 5th arrondissement, you’ll still be able to get a beautiful view of this iconic cathedral from across the Seine. One of the best spots to photograph the cathedral from is along Rue Saint-Julien le Pauvre. This street is significantly less busy than other ones in the area. You’ll also find the Church of Saint-Julien le Pauvre here which dates back to the 12th century and is one of the oldest churches in Paris.
Stop by some bookstores
The 5th arrondissement is known for having an abundance of historic bookstores. As you walk around the district, be on the lookout for these hidden gems. Some of them even look like something straight out of a Harry Potter movie. One of the most popular bookstores in Paris is called Shakspeare and Company, and it sits opposite the Seine, facing Notre Dame. This is an English language bookstore so you can imagine how busy it gets with tourists.
Fontaine Saint-Michel
One of the most visited attractions in the 5th arrondissement (also bordering the 6th arrondissement) is the Fontaine Saint-Michel. This beautiful water fountain was commissioned under the orders of Napoleon III in the 19th century. It depicts Michael the archangel vanquishing the devil and really is something special to look at up close. It’s very easy to locate as you make your way across Pont Saint-Michel.
The Pantheon
There are a lot of historic attractions to visit in Paris. One of the most well known in the 5th arrondissement is the Pantheon. It was completed in 1790, making it the first major monument in Paris. The architect behind the Pantheon wanted to glorify the monarchy in the form of a church, and its Roman-like design really stands out among the typical Parisian buildings. Today the Pantheon is the final resting place of many prominent French writers such as Victor Hugo and Voltaire.
Walk along the oldest street in Paris
The streets of Paris are full of history. But did you know some of these streets date back to Roman times? Rue Saint Jacques was built in the 1st century BC and it’s considered to be the oldest street in Paris. The street was once the main street in the Roman town that existed before Paris, and it wasn’t until 1806 that it was given its current name.
It’s a beautiful street to walk along with a few important churches, Sorbonne University, and a unique sundial designed by Salvador Dali, all main points of interest here.
Abbaye Royale du Val-de-Grâce
The Abbaye Royale du Val-de-Grâce was founded in the 17th century by Queen Anne of Austria. The abbey was later decommissioned during the Revolution and was turned into a military hospital at the end of the 18th century. Today the abbey serves a number of purposes for the army, and is home to the Army Health Service Museum so visitors can still catch a glimpse of the church when the museum is open.
Find a few Emily in Paris filming locations
Emily in Paris is currently one of the most watched shows on Netflix. If you’re planning a trip to the 5th arrondissement and you’re a fan of the show, then you’ll be pleased to know there are a few filming locations dotted around this district for you to enjoy. Terra Nera Restaurant is perhaps the most visited as it’s the site of Gabriel’s restaurant. In the same square you’ll find Cafe de la Nouvelle Mairie and Boulangerie Moderne, which were sadly closed when we visited.
Explore the historic streets
There’s nothing better than taking some time out of your busy schedule to enjoy the historic streets of the 5th arrondissement. There’s something unique to be found at almost every turn, including the streets with less tourists. Some of the oldest streets in the district not to be missed are Rue de la Huchette, Rue Saint-Severin, and Rue de la Harpe. You’ll find plenty of cafes and restaurants along these streets too.
College de France
Although Sorbonne University is a major highlight of the 5th arrondissement, it’s definitely worth visiting the College de France as well. It was founded in the 16th century and is considered to be the most prestigious research establishment in France. The building that the college is located in is stunning, so make sure you don’t pass by the courtyard without taking a couple of photos.
Sunday street markets
If you’re planning to visit the 5th arrondissement during the weekend, be on the lookout for some Sunday street markets. We came across several of these markets lined up along different streets. In these markets you’ll find everything from handmade goods to freshly baked bread and delicious French pastries. For those of you visiting Paris on a budget, these street markets are a great place to grab something to eat while you’re on the go.
Walk down the narrowest street in Paris
The 5th arrondissement is home to a lot of unusual things to see. This includes the narrowest street in Paris. Rue du Chat Qui Pêche is located between Rue de la Huchette and Quai Saint Michel along the Seine, and measures just 1.8 metres wide. The name of the street translates to the “street of the fishing cat” and it was constructed as early as 1540. It’s a good street to cut through if you want to avoid the crowds briefly, and some walking tours of Paris will stop here briefly too.
Cluny Museum
Paris isn’t short of museums. And one of the best museums for people interested in medieval history is the Cluny Museum. The National Museum of the Middle Ages lets visitors dive into 1000 years worth of history through medieval art. This museum is situated inside a 15th century building and spans the Thermes de Cluny as well. These ancient thermal baths are one of the largest examples of ancient remains in northern Europe and are well worth adding to your Paris itinerary.
Church of Saint-Severin
Just a short walk from the Seine is the Church of Saint-Severin. It was originally constructed in the 13th century and its bell tower holds the oldest bell in Paris, which dates back to the 15th century. There are a lot of churches to visit in the 5th arrondissement so this one is often overlooked. Since it’s located along one of the main streets in the district it’s very easy to include in your plans though.
Places to eat in and near the 5th arrondissement
Odette
One of the best pastry shops in the 5th arrondissement is Odette. They specialize in elaborate cream puffs that have creamy custard centres and a soft pastry on the outside. I’d recommend ordering a few different flavours to try and sitting outside so you can enjoy the view of Notre Dame in the distance. These aren’t the cheapest pastries in Paris but they’re delicious.
Auberge Etchegorry
If you want a truly memorable dining experience in Paris, you need to visit Auberge Etchegorry. This historic restaurant is located along the border of the 5th and 13th arrondissements, and they specialize in southwestern food. Their set menu is fantastic value for money, and all of their dishes are homemade and bursting with flavours. You’ll find a lot of unique options here so I’d recommend trying something new to add to the experience.
This establishment has been run by the same family since 1962 and the name means “red house” in Basque. At one time the restaurant was the Cabaret de Madame Gregoire where many famous French writers and artists used to frequent, such as Victor Hugo. It really is one of the best places to eat in Paris and it’s not along the usual tourist route which is always a bonus.
Where to stay near the 5th arrondissement
Le Vert Galant
It can be difficult to find a quiet retreat in the heart of Paris. If you’re planning on spending some time exploring the 5th arrondissement, or other parts of the city, and you want to avoid all of the noise of the city, I couldn’t recommend staying at Le Vert Galant enough. This family-run historic hotel is attached to Auberge Etchegorry in the 13th arrondissement, just over the border from the 5th arrondissement.
We stayed in one of their spacious first floor comfort rooms which has a fantastic view of the gardens below. The room was very quiet in the evening so it was a great place to come after a day out exploring Paris. It features a double bed, a writing desk, and a beautifully tiled ensuite bathroom with a large bathtub.
Outside, guests are free to enjoy the hotel’s private garden. There are plenty of places to sit and relax for a while in the sunshine. In the autumn time the colours of the leaves are particularly inviting as well. We spent some time in the gardens enjoying a glass of champagne from the bar before heading next door for dinner.
Breakfast is available at Le Vert Galant for an additional cost. I’d highly recommend having breakfast at the hotel though because all of their breads and pastries are freshly made in the morning. They also have a great selection of continental items available, as well as boiled eggs if you request them. It’s a nice way to start the day and you won’t find a better breakfast in the area.
Overall, we thoroughly enjoyed our stay at Le Vert Galant and we couldn’t fault its location. The closest metro stop is just a 5 minute walk from the hotel, which means you have very easy access to the rest of the city from here. This is the perfect hotel in Paris if you want a quiet and homely place to rest during your trip to the French capital.
>> Find out what rooms are currently available at Le Vert Galant <<
Is the 5th arrondissement worth visiting?
The 5th arrondissement of Paris is a breathtaking historic district to explore on foot. It has a completely different feel to other areas of the city, even though parts of it are very popular with tourists. Beyond the Pantheon and the streets near the Seine, this district has a lot to offer visitors and it’s certainly worth adding to any Paris itinerary. You never know what you’ll find in the 5th arrondissement, and the food scene is pretty phenomenal too.
If you have any questions about visiting the 5th arrondissement, please feel free to reach out via email. This district also has great connections to Disneyland Paris if this is in your travel plans. Don’t forget to follow along with my travels on Instagram too where I’m always sharing new travel tips and advice about unique places to visit.
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