Megan Brooks
Paris is divided into 20 arrondissements or administrative districts that spiral out from the city centre in a clockwise pattern. The Left Bank, or Rive Gauche in French, refers to the southern bank of the Seine River. It includes the 5th, 6th, 7th, 13th, 14th, and 15th arrondissements, with the central and old district of Saint-Germain-des-Prés at its heart. The Left Bank is known for its literary history, gardens, and quiet neighbourhoods, and has long been a gathering place for artists, philosophers, and intellectuals.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | South side of the Seine River |
| French Name | Rive Gauche |
| Arrondissements | 5th, 6th, 7th, 13th, 14th, 15th |
| Districts | Saint-Germain-des-Prés, Quartier Latin, Montparnasse, Luxembourg Quarter, Latin Quarter, Jardin Des Plantes Quarter, Invalides & Eiffel Tower Quarter |
| Attractions | Musée d'Orsay, Musée Marmottan, Musée de l'Orangerie, Luxembourg Gardens, Le Panthéon, Les Invalides, Rodin Museum, Sorbonne University, Tour Montparnasse |
| Accommodation | Guesthouses, luxury apartments, elegant boutique hotels |
| Dining | La Palette, Huguette, Bistro de la Mar |
| Lifestyle | Laid-back, literary history, gardens, quiet neighbourhoods |
| Popularity | More popular than the Right Bank |
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What You'll Learn
The Left Bank is the Rive Gauche in French
Paris is divided into 20 administrative districts called arrondissements, which spiral out from the city centre in a clockwise pattern. The Left Bank, or Rive Gauche in French, refers to the south side of the Seine River. It is called the left bank because when you stand facing west (towards the ocean), it is on your left side. The Left Bank includes the 5th, 6th, 7th, 13th, 14th, and 15th arrondissements.
The Latin Quarter is situated on the Rive Gauche, within the 5th and 6th arrondissements in the vicinity of the University of Paris. In the 12th century, the philosopher Pierre Abélard helped create the neighbourhood when he was pressured into relocating from the prestigious Île de la Cité due to his controversial teachings. As he and his followers populated the Left Bank, it became famous for the prevalence of scholarly Latin spoken there.
The Left Bank is considered the most popular area of Paris, even though there is much to see and do on the Right Bank as well. The Latin Quarter is located on the Left Bank, as are the Pantheon and Les Invalides, as well as important museums such as the Rodin Museum. The area is also home to the Luxembourg Gardens, which are the preferred gardens of Parisians. Spread with statues, fountains, and flowers, they are the most romantic gardens in Paris and are often crowded on sunny days.
The Rive Gauche is also where you will find the districts of Invalides and Eiffel Tower Quarter, Montparnasse, St Germain Des Pres, Luxembourg Quarter, and Jardin Des Plantes Quarter. The Eiffel Tower is located in the 7th arrondissement on the Left Bank. The 15th arrondissement is a great place to start if you're looking for peace and easy living in Paris. The 17th arrondissement is quickly becoming one of the most popular areas to live in Paris, offering a balanced lifestyle with village-like neighbourhoods and excellent dining.
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It is the southern bank of the Seine River
The Left Bank in Paris is the southern bank of the Seine River, known as "Rive Gauche" in French. It is home to several notable landmarks and districts, including the Eiffel Tower, the Latin Quarter, the Pantheon, Les Invalides, and the Luxembourg Gardens. The Left Bank is known for its literary history and has been a gathering place for artists, philosophers, and intellectuals. It offers a more laid-back atmosphere compared to the Right Bank, with quiet neighbourhoods and beautiful gardens.
The Left Bank includes the 5th, 6th, 7th, 13th, 14th, and 15th arrondissements of Paris. The Saint-Germain-des-Prés district is considered the heart of the Left Bank and has a long history as the intellectual centre of the city. The area is dominated by the ancient and prestigious Saint-Germain-des-Prés Church, which was once frequented by the likes of Jean-Paul Sartre and Boris Vian.
The Latin Quarter, located within the 5th and 6th arrondissements, is another significant neighbourhood on the Left Bank. It earned its name in the 12th century when the philosopher Pierre Abélard, who was known for his controversial teachings, relocated to the area. As Abélard and his followers populated the Left Bank, the neighbourhood became known for the scholarly Latin spoken there.
The Left Bank also encompasses the Luxembourg Quarter, which features the beautiful Luxembourg Gardens. These gardens are a favourite among Parisians and offer a peaceful escape from the city, especially at sunset. The gardens are located near the Luxembourg Palace, which has housed the Senate, one of the two chambers of the French Parliament, since 1799.
The Left Bank is known for its artistic and intellectual heritage, and it has played a significant role in shaping Paris's cultural history. The area offers a unique blend of guesthouses, luxury apartments, elegant boutique hotels, and fashionable shopping streets. It attracts both locals and tourists with its rich history, beautiful architecture, and tranquil green spaces.
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It includes the 5th, 6th, 7th, 13th, 14th, and 15th arrondissements
Paris is divided into 20 arrondissements or districts, which spiral out from the city centre in a clockwise pattern. The Left Bank, or Rive Gauche in French, refers to the south side of the Seine River. It is called the Left Bank because when you stand facing west, it is on your left. The Left Bank includes the 5th, 6th, 7th, 13th, 14th, and 15th arrondissements.
The Latin Quarter is on the Left Bank in the 5th arrondissement, near the Sorbonne, Panthéon, and Rue Mouffetard. The Eiffel Tower is located on the Left Bank in the 7th arrondissement. The 1st, 4th, 5th, and 6th arrondissements offer easy access to major sights, central locations, and plenty of restaurants and cafes. The Right Bank is ideal for luxury shopping, iconic museums, and nightlife, while the Left Bank offers a more laid-back vibe with literary history, gardens, and quiet neighbourhoods.
The original 12 arrondissements were created in 1795, and the current 20 were established in 1860 under Napoleon III during a major city expansion. Locals refer to them by number, like "the 7th" or "the 11th", instead of using the full word. You may also see it shortened to "arr." in books, maps, and travel guides.
The Left Bank has long been the home of scholars, writers, rebellious ideas, and café debates. Today, it balances that intellectual edge with blockbuster sights such as the Eiffel Tower, Musée d’Orsay, and the leafy Luxembourg Gardens. Saint‑Germain‑des‑Prés is on the Left Bank, where you can linger over coffee in storied cafes before browsing chic boutiques and art galleries.
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The area is known for its literary history and gardens
The Left Bank of Paris, or "Rive Gauche" in French, is known for its rich literary history and its beautiful gardens. Located on the south side of the Seine River, the Left Bank has been a haven for writers, scholars, and artists since the 20th century.
The neighbourhood attracted famous writers such as Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Ezra Pound, James Joyce, George Orwell, and William Faulkner, who were drawn to its cheap accommodation, artistic scene, and free-flowing alcohol. Many iconic cafes, bookstores, and streets of the Left Bank became a hub for intellectual conversations and debates, with writers like Jean-Paul Sartre and Simone de Beauvoir spending their days in deep thought.
The literary history of the Left Bank is immortalised in Agnès Poirier's book "Left Bank: Art, Passion, and the Rebirth of Paris, 1940-50", which offers a detailed account of the writers, artists, and painters who shared this vibrant neighbourhood. Poirier brings to life the flawed, visionary Parisians who fell in and out of love, infuriated and inspired, painting a picture of a decade alive with intellectual and political ferment.
The Latin Quarter, located in the 5th arrondissement of the Left Bank, is known for its historic universities, artistic culture, and literary cafes. The Luxembourg Gardens, also on the Left Bank, offer a peaceful escape with chestnut trees, a pond for sailing toy boats, and people-watching from classic green chairs. The gardens are a popular spot for literary enthusiasts to immerse themselves in the creative energy of the past.
The Left Bank provides a more laid-back atmosphere compared to the bustling Right Bank, with quiet neighbourhoods and a mix of guesthouses and luxury apartments. It embodies the old-school, romanticised Paris, offering a glimpse into the city's literary and artistic soul.
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The Latin Quarter is on the Left Bank
The Latin Quarter is indeed located on the Left Bank of Paris, on the south side of the Seine River. This historic and vibrant neighbourhood is centred around the 5th arrondissement, but also spills into the 6th and 14th arrondissements. The Left Bank, or 'Rive Gauche' as it is known in French, has a rich cultural and intellectual history, and the Latin Quarter is a key part of this.
The Latin Quarter gets its name from the fact that Latin was the common language spoken in this area during the Middle Ages. This was due to the presence of the University of Paris, now known as the Sorbonne, which was founded in the 12th century and attracted students and scholars from across Europe. The Latin Quarter became a hub of academic life, with students and professors living and working in the area, frequenting the local cafés and bookshops.
This intellectual reputation continued to grow over the centuries, and the Latin Quarter became known as a centre of philosophical and political debate, with famous thinkers such as Jean-Paul Sartre and Simone de Beauvoir frequenting the cafés and bars. The area also became known for its bohemian atmosphere, attracting artists, writers, and musicians, and developing a reputation for being a hotbed of creativity and counterculture.
Today, the Latin Quarter remains a vibrant and bustling neighbourhood, popular with both locals and tourists. It is known for its charming narrow streets, historic buildings, and lively student population. Visitors can explore the medieval streets, browse the bookshops and markets, and enjoy the many cafés, restaurants, and bars. The area also boasts several notable landmarks, including the Pantheon, the Luxembourg Gardens, and the Musée National du Moyen Âge.
So, the Latin Quarter is very much an integral part of the Left Bank of Paris, both historically and culturally, and continues to be a must-visit destination for anyone wanting to experience the unique atmosphere of this famous neighbourhood.
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Frequently asked questions
The Left Bank, or 'Rive Gauche' in French, is the southern bank of the Seine River, which runs through Paris.
The Left Bank is made up of the 5th, 6th, 7th, 13th, 14th and 15th arrondissements.
The Left Bank is home to the Latin Quarter, the Pantheon, Les Invalides, the Rodin Museum, and the Eiffel Tower. It's also known for its literary history, gardens, and quiet neighbourhoods.
The Right Bank is ideal for luxury shopping, iconic museums, and nightlife. The Left Bank, on the other hand, offers a more relaxed atmosphere with literary cafes, gardens, and quieter neighbourhoods.
For first-time visitors, the 1st, 4th, 5th, and 6th arrondissements offer easy access to major sights, central locations, and plenty of restaurants and cafes.
