Arènes de Lutèce

Latin Quarter


The 2nd-century Roman amphitheatre Lutetia Arena once seated 10,000 people for gladiatorial combats and other events. Found by accident in 1869 when rue Monge was under construction, it’s now used by locals playing football and, especially, boules (similar to lawn bowls). Hours can vary.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Latin Quarter attractions

1. James Joyce's Flat

0.08 MILES

Peer down the passageway at 71 rue du Cardinal Lemoine: Irish writer James Joyce (1882–1941) lived in the courtyard flat at the back marked ‘E’ when he…

2. Ernest Hemingway's Apartment

0.13 MILES

At 74 rue du Cardinal Lemoine is the apartment where Ernest Hemingway (1899–1961) lived with his first wife, Hadley, from January 1922 until August 1923 …

3. Paul Verlaine's Garret

0.14 MILES

French poet Paul Verlaine (1844–96) spent the last years of his life in the Latin Quarter and died here at 39 rue des Descartes. The building is closed to…

4. George Orwell's Boarding House

0.21 MILES

In 1928 George Orwell (1903–50) stayed in a cheap boarding house above 6 rue du Pot de Fer while working as a dishwasher. It's closed to the public, but…

5. La Ménagerie

0.22 MILES

Like the Jardin des Plantes in which it’s located, this 170-species zoo is more than a tourist attraction; it also doubles as a research centre for the…

6. Église St-Étienne du Mont

0.23 MILES

The Church of Mount St Stephen, built between 1492 and 1655, contains Paris’ only surviving rood screen (1521–45), separating the chancel from the nave;…

7. Mosquée de Paris

0.23 MILES

Paris’ central mosque, with a striking 26m-high minaret, was completed in 1926 in an ornate art deco Moorish style. You can visit the interior to admire…

8. Collège des Bernardins

0.25 MILES

Dating back to 1248, this former Cistercian college originally served as living quarters and place of study for novice monks. It's now an art gallery and…