Sacré Coeur seen from Boulevard de Rochechouart

Paris - Le Sacré-Coeur vu du Boulevard de Rochechouart
Originally uploaded by Añelo de la Krotsche

One of the delights of Paris breaks is to catch a glimpse of some famous or unknown distant architecture from up a side street. This is one such moment, the Sacré Coeur seen from Boulevard de Rochechouart

Latin Quarter Paris Breaks

Latin Quarter Paris Breaks 5th Arrondissement - Quartier Latin

The Latin Quarter, quartier latin or 5th Arrondissement has long been the intellectual centre and heart and soul of Paris, as well as becoming a major tourist area. Bookshops, colleges, churches, clubs, student dives, Roman ruins, publishing houses, street musicians, world foodie restaurants and expensive boutiques characterize the district. Since the founding of the Sorbonne in 1253, the quarter was called Latin because students and professors spoke the Latin language, long before one particular dialect had become standardised as modern French. Follow in the footsteps of Descartes, Verlaine, Camus, Sartre, James Thurber, Elliot Paul, and Hemingway as you enjoy Paris breaks in the latin quarter. Changing times have brought Greek, Moroccan, and Vietnamese immigrants, among others, offering everything from couscous to fiery-hot spring rolls and souvlaki. The 5th arrondissement borders the banks of Seine, and you'll want to stroll along the quayside at quai de Montebello, checking the secondhand book shops with everything from antique Daumier prints to yellowing copies of Balzac's Père Goriot in the shadow of Notre-Dame.

Paris - La Pyramide du Louvre

Paris - La Pyramide du Louvre
Originally uploaded by Añelo de la Krotsche

The pyramid at the entrance to the Louvre has become one of the many iconic pieces of modern architcture in Paris

Paris Breaks to the 5th arrondissement

The fifth arrondissement is the latin quarter and perfect for lively Paris breaks with a youthful feel, cosmopolitain cuisine and swinging nightlife.

This is the famous Left Bank, which to Londoners looking at the Paris city map looks more like the southbank but never mind that. This is teh country which has 15 days in a fortnight afterall.

So what os there to see in the 5th, well there's the Pantheon - a big temple like structure on the top of a hill with a large dome, there's the zoo and gardens and Jardin des Plantes, and the Museum of the Arab World.

The area still has a significant student presence, with several universities and schools of higher education being located in the 5th arrondissement but a lot of students and faculty have been forced to more affordable areas such as the 13th arroondissement.

So it's a tourist area now, with affordable hotels and restaurants for visitors and plenty to see and do.

Euros for Paris Breaks

The fall of the GB Pound against the Euro meant that Paris Breaks are more expensive, so there's been some resolve to take more short breaks in the UK and postpone Paris breaks until better days. The only trouble is that we miss Paris.

We miss the atmosphere, the wandering streets, planned architecture unexpected surprises, the Seine, food and drink and everything else about our favourite city.

Paris Breaks in the snow

Paris under the snow
Originally uploaded by Gregory Bastien

If you are in continental Europe in January you might expect some very cold weather but Paris breaks in the winter are still very exciting and spring is really only just around the corner.

Paris Breaks with Velib Bicycle Rental

Paris Breaks by Bicycle

The Velib or Velo Libre free bicycle rental scheme is now massive in Paris. It's a great way to get around in the city and after taking out a nominal one euro per day subscription, each one way rental is completely free as long as you complete the journey withing one half an hour. That should be long enough to get where you want to be and you don;t need to worry about finding another bike to get back again because they are everywhere.

photo by P.Yoruba