A Guide To Visiting Montparnasse: What To See and Do
Stretching across parts of the 6th, 14th and 15th arrondissements on Rive Gauche (the Left Bank of the Seine), Montparnasse is easily recognized…
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Founded in the 3rd century B.C., Paris is steeped in history and home to ancient landmarks alongside more modern attractions. While visiting sites like the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe, and the Louvre are on most visitors’ itineraries, how about adding a few of the oldest places in the city to your list?
Whether it’s your first time in this historic city or you’ve been here before, these are the 10 oldest places in Paris to visit for an unforgettable trip.
1. The oldest house in Paris
If you are familiar with the history of Paris, you may think that the city’s oldest house is on the Île de la Cité. However, that’s not the case. While the island in the Seine was first settled in the 4th century when a palace was built by Clovis I, the oldest house is actually in the 3rd arrondissement at number 51, Rue de Montmorency.
The historic stone house with its ornate facade was built in 1407 by Nicolas Flamel along with his wife Pernelle. He was known as much for his philanthropy as he was for being a part of the Parisian bourgeois. (Flamel is also a name you may be familiar with if you’ve read the “Fantastic Beasts” books, a prequel series to the “Harry Potter” saga.)
The home’s first floor has always been dedicated to commerce while the upper floors started out as housing for the poor. Today, a Michelin-starred restaurant known as the Auberge Nicolas Flamel occupies the first floor and is known for its upscale menu and elegant ambiance. Whether you dine here or just want to stop by to admire the historic facade with old French etched into its stones, the Nicolas Flamel house is worth adding to your Paris itinerary.
2. The oldest street (and pedestrian street) in Paris
At over 2,000 years old, Rue Saint Jacques is the oldest street in Paris and is located in the 5th arrondissement. This ancient street stretches along the Sorbonne and the observatory, up and down the hill from the Seine embankment to the Boulevard Saint-Jacques.
It’s also the heart of the Latin Quarter. Apart from the Sorbonne, various other universities surround the street, and it is here that students come to look for books in specialized bookstores.
As for the oldest pedestrian street in Paris, that distinction goes to Rue Saint-Rustique in Montmartre, and it’s believed to be around 1,000 years old.
This small cobblestone street connects Rue des Saules and Rue de Saint-Cenis. Compared to the wide major streets throughout Paris, Rue Saint-Rustique will feel more like an alleyway flanked by residential buildings as you walk through. Get a taste of Montmartre yourself with a local Parisian on our Montmartre Walking Tour.
3. The oldest garden in Paris
The Jardin des Tuileries, located between the Louvre Museum and the Place de la Concorde in the 1st arrondissement of Paris, is an oasis in the city, perfect for morning walks and sunbathing during summer.
It was opened to the public in 1667 and became a public park after the French Revolution. Decorated with numerous sculptures and beautiful flowers, it’s the perfect place to spend an afternoon and is a favorite for both art and nature lovers.
4. Paris’ oldest university
The world-famous Sorbonne Université is the oldest university in France.
Established as a college by Robert de Sorbon in 1257, it became a prominent place for clergy to study theology. It also has close ties to the University of Paris. Today, Sorbonne Université remains a prestigious school and is considered one of the top universities in the world.
The Sorbonne is located in one building in the 5th arrondissement, but the next three buildings of the University of Paris are called the Sorbonne too.
5. The oldest cafe in Paris
If you’re a coffee connoisseur or just like to get your caffeine fix, you should try a cup of joe in Le Procope.
Officially founded in 1686, this cafe opened its doors in 1689 in Saint-Germain-des-Prés, a charming neighborhood in the 6th arrondissement. It was a café for artists, intellectuals, and politicians, frequented by Voltaire, Rousseau, Diderot, and d’Alembert.
While you can indulge in French pastries and coffee at Le Procope, they also serve lunch and dinner.
Le Procope is actually one of the stops on our Emily in Paris Tour since this historic cafe is right in the star character’s stomping grounds. And it’s not the only foodie place on our list…
6. The oldest pâtisserie in Paris
Want a treat with your coffee? Why not visit the oldest bakery in Paris? There’s a story behind this one.
In 1725, Louis XV married Marie Leszczynska, daughter of King Stanislaus of Poland. Then in 1730, Nicolas Stohrer, the king’s pastry chef, followed her and opened his pâtisserie at 51 Rue Montorgueil in Paris’ 2nd arrondissement.
The pâtisserie was named Stohrer after the pastry chef, and the tradition continues today at this classic pastry shop where you can order a variety of sweets from tarts to eclairs to galettes and more.
Fun fact: Today, it’s owned by the Dolfi family, which also owns the À la Mère de Famille chocolate shops, one of which is the oldest chocolate shop in Paris. (More on this below.)
7. The oldest shopping mall
In a city known for specialty shops, the concept of a department store was met with some skepticism but ultimately created a sensation.
The very first department store in the world is here in Paris. Built in 1872, Le Bon Marché Rive Gauche still enjoys great popularity and attracts fashion lovers. Even if you don’t have plans for shopping, it’s definitely a must-see because of the interior of this striking building, which is an architectural marvel. And guess who created the steel wall foundation — none other than the famous French civil engineer, Gustave Eiffel!
8. The oldest cinema
If you want to feel like a local and slow down, a visit to the cinema to watch a movie is a perfect choice. And when it comes to historic movie theaters, the Cinéma du Panthéon is a classic. It’s the city’s oldest that’s still in operation.
Located by the Panthéon in the city’s Latin Quarter, Cinéma du Panthéon first opened in 1907. In 1929, it was purchased by Pierre Braunberger, a film producer who showed art house and independent films. He owned the cinema till 1990.
Today, the Cinéma du Panthéon continues to welcome visitors who can enjoy a film and a slice of Parisian history. You can find it at 13 Rue Victor Cousin.
9. The oldest church
Begun as a Benedictine abbey, the Church of Saint-Germain-des-Prés dates to the 6th century. Its history is a storied one that includes Vikings setting it ablaze in 886.
After it was renovated in the year 1000, there were a few additional mishaps, including gunpowder that was stored in the church during the French Revolution exploding and destroying part of the building. You can learn lots more about this Romanesque-style church, located at 3 Pl. Saint-Germain des Prés, on our Saint-Germain-des-Prés Tour.
10. The oldest restaurant
Let’s now time travel to one of the City of Love’s most romantic places: the oldest restaurant in Paris.
La Tour d’Argent, situated at 15 Quai de la Tournelle, has welcomed many of the rich and famous since it opened in 1582. Its glittering list of guests include Queen Elizabeth II, Marilyn Monroe, JFK, John Wayne, and Marlene Dietrich.
Along with the beautiful view, you’ll find traditional French cuisine at this restaurant, making a dinner here a culinary (and somewhat pricey) experience.
Fun fact: La Tour d’Argent was immortalized on the pages of Ernest Hemingway’s “A Moveable Feast” and Marcel Proust’s “In Search of Lost Time.”
Bonus: The oldest chocolate shop in Paris
Remember I mentioned the oldest pastry shop in Paris was also owned by the restauranteurs who own the oldest chocolate shop?
The oldest À la Mère de Famille is a true original, located at 35 Rue du Faubourg-Montmartre in the 9th arrondissement, just across from the Peletier metro. Remarkably, it has been in the same spot for over 250 years.
Created in 1761, this store is a step into the past with its tiled floor, weathered wood countertops, and vintage pendant lights. The sights and sweet smells will entice you to try one or several of their 1,200 products featuring candies like chocolates, pâtes de fruits, and caramels from a variety of regions.
Visiting the oldest places in Paris
Visiting the oldest places in Paris is a must for anyone’s itinerary. Not only will you see a variety of architecture that makes the city so beautiful but you will get a deeper sense of its history and the ability to imagine what life was like here hundreds of years ago.
The best way to explore some of the city’s most fascinating historical places is by joining one of our informative Paris tours, led by a local guide. If you have an entire day, we recommend our Paris in a Day Tour, a full-day experience with an experienced tour guide and a narrated bus ride.
A Guide To Visiting Montparnasse: What To See and Do
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