Modern day Latin Quarter
The Latin Quarter, one of the oldest and most popular districts in Paris, draws crowds from all over the world.
However, many of you will be surprised to learn that the current district bears little resemblance to the medieval quarter that once turned Paris into the intellectual centre of Europe.
Indeed, Baron Haussmann’s ambitious urban renewal projects of the 1860s radically transformed the capital, and the Latin Quarter was no exception. Most of the historic district was demolished, erasing centuries-old streets and monuments.
Only a few alleyways and buildings escaped destruction. The remains of the medieval colleges that made the Latin Quarter famous are rare and mostly located on private property, thus inaccessible to the public.
However, despite these transformations, the Latin Quarter has managed to preserve some of its student atmosphere, thanks to the presence of prestigious institutions such as the Sorbonne, the Collège de France and the Lycée Louis-Legrand.
Latin Quarter, the second oldest Parisian district
The Latin Quarter stretches along the Rive Gauche – Left Bank, from Boulevard Saint-Michel to Place Maubert, and is the second-oldest district in Paris, after the Ile de la Cité.
Its origins date back to the district that developed after the year 1000, in the shadow of the prestigious Sainte-Geneviève Abbey. However, its true roots lie in the ancient Roman city that extended across the hill now known as Montagne Sainte-Geneviève.
Around twenty centuries ago, the Roman “City” (Île de la Cité) had become overcrowded, no longer able to accommodate the rapidly growing Parisian population. A new district was thus built on the Left Bank of the Seine, with its own forum, amphitheatre, baths, shops, workshops, and residences.
This flourishing community thrived until the end of the 3rd century, when the imminent threat of barbarian invasions prompted the inhabitants to hastily dismantle their monuments to fortify the Île de la Cité with a rampart.
Once the danger had passed, some communities resettled on the Left Bank. But they abandoned it again when the Vikings besieged Paris in 885 and devastated their dwellings.
Thus, at the dawn of the new millennium, this area remained relatively sparsely populated. However, the transition to the new millennium ushered in an era of transformation and social, religious, and commercial renaissance, resulting in an unprecedented wave of prosperity, social cohesion, urban development, and population growth.
The students in the Latin Quarter
Until the end of the 12th century, education was the responsibility of the Diocese of Paris, and classes were taught by the monks of the Notre-Dame Cloister on the Île de la Cité.
A decisive turning point came, however, when Abélard, a learned monk, challenged the authority of the diocese and left to teach on the Montagne Sainte-Geneviève, taking all his students with him.
At the beginning of the 13th century, the Pope granted educational institutions the freedom to teach independently of the Diocese. However, King Philip-Augustus went even further in granting them autonomous status. This pivotal decision laid the foundations for the first French university, the University of Paris!
This newfound autonomy triggered the establishment of the first colleges on the Rive Gauche in the 13th century. The student district became known as the Latin Quarter, as all courses were taught in Latin.
University of Paris in the Latin Quarter
Paris was flourishing and considered the undisputed intellectual capital of Europe!
The Latin Quarter, always lively and bustling with activity, embodied the very essence of the city. Students from all walks of life mingled there, creating a cosmopolitan and diverse atmosphere.
The University of Paris comprised several colleges specialising in various disciplines such as theology, the arts, and law.
These colleges received funding from different French regions and European countries, each covering the tuition fees of its students who came to study in Paris, much like the prestigious Scottish and English colleges.
However, these colleges were far from being lavish establishments.
They were indeed more like modest boarding schools offering simple accommodation and meals. Since classes were often held outdoors, the emphasis was on the essentials rather than luxury!
Outdoors teaching on Place Maubert and Rue du Fouarre
At the beginning of the 14th century, classes were still held outdoors, usually on Rue du Fouarre and Place Maubert.
The lecturers stood on a platform, while the students, seated on hay bales or fouarres (a type of hay bale), listened attentively. This is how Rue du Fouarre acquired its name in 1215.
The College of Constantinople was the first educational institution founded in the Latin Quarter in 1206, at No. 1 Impasse Maubert. This narrow alleyway originated in Place Maubert, which had been created in 1202 on land belonging to the Abbey of Sainte-Geneviève.
The etymology of the name “Maubert” has been the subject of debate. Some suggest it might derive from “Jean Aubert,” the second abbot of the Abbey of Sainte-Geneviève. Others suggest that it is a distortion of “Master Albert“, in reference to the Dominican friar who gave lectures and taught philosophy in the square.
When lecturers taught indoors
In the 14th century, classes gradually began to be taught in colleges, often in the evenings.
This trend continued in the following decades until teaching took place primarily indoors.
Empty of its students and professors, Place Maubert quickly became obsolete and was converted into a market square.
The colleges were organised into major and minor institutions.
The major colleges offered a high-quality general education, while the minor colleges specialised in particular disciplines.
These institutions flourished until the mid-16th century. However, factors such as the advent of printing, financial constraints, and reforms in teaching methods contributed to their decline.
The prestigious colleges
At the end of the 16th century, only ten major colleges and the prestigious Sorbonne College remained.
The expulsion of the Jesuits in 1672 had a considerable impact on this landscape. The Collège de Clermont, the Jesuit college, merged with six other colleges to found the prestigious Lycée Louis-Legrand in 1672 upon the dissolution of their order. This institution quickly acquired a reputation for its academic excellence and continued to welcome scholarship students from the thirty closed colleges.
The École Polytechnique, founded during the French Revolution as the École Centrale des Travaux Publics (Central School of Public Works), is another leading educational institution in the Latin Quarter. Originally established as an engineering school and placed under the supervision of the Ministry of the Armed Forces, it was transferred to Palaiseau, in the southern suburbs of Paris, in 1979.
The former Faculty of Medicine, located at Nos.13-15 Rue des Écoles, is another landmark educational institution in the Latin Quarter. Founded in the 15th century, it was the first medical school in Paris. It was rebuilt in the 17th century. Its rotunda-amphitheatre, built a century later, is now a listed historical monument.
Paris University
In 1792, during the French Revolution, the University of Paris, along with seventeen provincial universities, closed their doors, marking the end of an era for higher education. The Lycée Louis-Legrand, however, was an exception and remained open.
Fortunately, in 1806, Napoleon I restructured the education system by founding the Imperial University. Some of the academies founded at that time are still active today.
Another major restructuring took place in 1970 with the reorganisation of the University of Paris. Thirteen new universities were founded, specialising in various disciplines such as languages, literature, the arts, and so on.
These universities, as well as numerous institutes, were founded not only in Paris but also in the suburbs to decentralise higher education and make it accessible to more students.
Each university thus operates independently, with its own curriculum and examination system.
Directions: 5th District
Metro and RER B: Saint-Michel, Cluny-Sorbonne on Lines 4, 10
Coordinates: Lat 48.851041 – Long 2.344278
