Walking in the rue Mouffetard

Discover the hidden Roman arena, snack French-style, and wander down one of Paris’s most interesting ancient streets.

From Place Monge, walk north along rue Monge to number 49, where an archway leads to the ancient Roman amphitheater, Arènes de Lutèce (1). The arena, surrounded by tiers of stones benches, was built in the 1^st century, forgotten for hundreds of years, then rediscovered when rue Monge was built in the 19^th century. Pretend to be a gladiator taking on other gladiators or wild beasts in front of 15,000 spectators. Leave by the rue de Navarre exit, cross rue Monge, and climb the steps onto rue Rollin. At the end of the street, turn left onto picturesque place de la Contrescarpe (2). Turn left down rue Mouffetard, one of the oldest streets in the city, full of budget restaurants and quirky shops. Obj’ai Trouvé (3, 40 rue Pouffetard) and Mouffetard Folie’s (4, 51 rue Mouffetard) are favorites where local schoolkids spend their pocket money and good places for children to find inexpensive souvenirs or presents. Experience street food French-style by ordering a crêpe smothered in Nutella at one of the takeoup stalls. (Look for a stall where crêpes are being cooked fresh on an iron plaque, rather than those with piles of crêpes waiting to be reheated.) Head downstairs for a game at bowling Mouffetard (5, 73 rue Mouffetard). Gather picnic supplies at the food market (except Sunday afternoon and all day Monday), with its stalls laden with fruit, vegetables, and hundreds of types of cheese. (Most stalls close from 1pm to 4pm) On Sunday morning, you’ll often find street musicians outside the church of Saint-Médard at the bottom end of the street.

Metro Station : Censier-Daubenton (Line 7), Place Monge (Line 7), Cardinal-Lemoine (Line 10)