Morning: You should ideally start your day early (7:30 or 8 a.m.).
First stop: Breakfast at Le Mouffetard or Le Pain Quotidien
Directions: Take the metro to Censier-Daubenton (Line 7). Go southwest on Rue Daubenton, and turn right up Rue Mouffetard.
- Le Mouffetard: 116 Rue Mouffetard - Tel. 01.43.31.42.50 - Closed on Monday
This cozy neighborhood cafe is known for its excellent pastries, brioches (sweet bread) and other breakfast fare.
- Le Pain Quotidien: 138 rue Mouffetard - Tel.: 01 55 43 91 99
Le Pain Quotidien is a Belgian-owned bakery, "brunchery" and tearoom that has several stores around Paris. You can either sit at a communal table and enjoy a copious breakfast featuring fresh baked bread, or take away goodies from the bakery counter.
Explore the Rue Mouffetard Neighborhood
Ok, so now your stomach is full, and your tour of classic Paris can really begin. Continue walking up the winding Rue Mouffetard. You are on one of Paris' oldest streets, today a bustling marketplace. Rue Mouffetard is at a far end of the Latin Quarter, the traditional heart of Paris university and intellectual life.
Take some time to admire the traditional French cheese, wine, and other specialty shops. You may also notice that some of the elaborately painted storefronts on Rue Mouffetard. Some of these date to the 16th century. Also look for quaint passageways and courtyards off the street.
Corners of Interest:
- Place Monge
- Place de la Contrescarpe
Next stop: The Latin Quarter - Pantheon
Walking directions: From the north end of Rue Mouffetard, turn onto Rue Thouin and continue until it turns into Rue de l'Estrapade. Continue until you get to Rue de l'Ulm. Turn right and walk to the Pantheon.
By bus: Take bus #47 from the "Monge" stop near 72 rue Monge, direction "Chatelet". Get off at the "Cardinal Lemoine" stop. Walk 5 mns. to the Pantheon.
