Paris, Part II- The Left Bank (I)

The Left Bank (Rive Gauche in French) is full of universities and teaching hospitals. It's home to the Latin Quarter as well as the Senate and has more of a residential feel than the Right Bank.

Sights By Arrondissement

5th arr:

Museum of Natural History: M7- Jussieu, M10- Jussieu
1. Jardin des Plantes- A major botanical garden with 4500 different plants all arranged by family. The gardens are part of the larger Museum of Natural History. Both the Mexican Green house and the Winter Garden are closed for renovation until sometime later this year. http://www.mnhn.fr/museum/foffice/transverse/transverse/accueil.xsp?cl=en
2. La Grande Galerie de l'Evolution- Built in 1889 this part of the museum focuses more on the evolution of species and the diversity of living species. The Museum covers 6000m² and has four different levels beginning with the diversity of living species and ending with the evolution of species.
3. Menagerie- A small zoo within the Jardin des Plantes that has a nice array of specimens. http://www.mnhn.fr/museum/foffice/tous/tous/GuideDecouverte/lieuxVisiter/LieuxAVisiter/FLieuAVisiter.xsp?i=1&nav=liste&INFO_ID=22&SITE_ID=10&AE_ID=204&LIEU_ID=210&idx=2&MAN_ID=260
4. La Galerie de Minérologie et de Géologie- The mineral collection that this part of the museum houses is rather interesting. From giant crystals to jewelery, they have quite an extensive collection. The gallery has just reopened after a recent renovation. http://www.mnhn.fr/museum/foffice/tous/tous/GuideDecouverte/lieuxVisiter/LieuxAVisiter/FLieuAVisiter.xsp?i=1&nav=liste&INFO_ID=154&SITE_ID=10&AE_ID=197&LIEU_ID=170&idx=0&MAN_ID=256

• Arènes de Lutèce- A Gallo-Roman arena near the Museum of Natural History. Built in the 1st century AD, it could at one time seat 15 000 people and was used to host gladiatorial combats. The name of the arena comes from the name that the Romans gave to Paris: Lutetia. The arena is open every day from 8:30- 5pm, 9:30pm in the summer. Access: M7- Jussieu, Place Monge; M10- Cardinal Lemoine, Jussieu.
• Saint-Etienne-du-Mont- Church near the Panthéon. This church houses the shrine of Sainte Geneviève, the patron saint of Paris. It also houses the tombs of Blaise Pascal, Jean Racine. The grave of Revolutionist, Jean-Paul Marat can be found in the church's cemetery. Access: M10- Jussieu, Cardinal Lemoine, M7- Jussieu, Place Monge.
• Panthéon- Construction of the Panthéon was begun in 1758 during the reign of Louis XV, it was initially meant to honor the patron saint Geneviève. Construction did not end until the start of the Revolution in 1789, upon which it was converted from a church to a mausoleum honoring great French intellectuals. Since the Revolution it was twice converted back into a church, only to be changed back into a temple to Great Minds. Some of the people buried within the necropolis are: Voltaire, Hugo, Dumas, Emile Zola, Rousseau and Louis Braille. Under the dome of the Panthéon is the Foucault pendulum. Designed by French physicist Léon Foucault in 1851 to demonstrate the Earth's rotation. The pendulum moves in a clockwise motion at 11° an hour making a full circle rotation in just under 33 hours. http://pantheon.monuments-nationaux.fr/en/?fl_r=4 Access: M10- Cluny-La Sorbonne, RER B- Luxembourg.
• Musée de Cluny- Also known as the National Museum of the Middle Ages it was originally constructed in 1334. This is where you can see the tapestry The Lady and the Unicorn a six part tapestry telling the story of the Lady and the Unicorn. The museum also houses sculptures, illuminated manuscripts and furniture all from the Middle Ages. Also on the ground of the museum are the remains of a Gallo-Roman bath. You can visit the remains of both the frigidarium and the calderium. http://www.musee-moyenage.fr/ang/index.html Access: M10- Cluny-La Sorbonne, Maubert Mutualité.

Next: The Left Bank Part II. I find it easier to break everything down by what's to see by arrondissement due to the volume of things to see.