Montparnasse and the traditional 14th district

[gc layout=”3/4″ separator=”|”]

Paris 14th District

[p]The 14th Arrondisement is a gem arrondisement that has preserved the very traditional French charm of a Parisian neighbourhood. It is one of the more recent additions to the riches of the city of Lights. This quarter bustles with street life with plenty of typical Parisian cafés, restaurants, theatres, cinemas and surrounding tourist attractions.

This district is home to the Montparnasse tower, and the Gaîté area, where you can find numerous theatres, bars, clubs and lots of cinemas. Gaîté neighbours with the 'brasseries' area of 'Boulevard de Montparnasse', where a lot of the great American writers (Hemmingway, H. Miller, G Stein…) used to spend hours of unwinded literary conversation in the various infamous Cafés: Le Dome (1897), La Rotonde (1911), La Coupole (1927)… 

Denfert Rochereau and the Paris Catacombs

The apartment is also very close to the transport hub area of Denfert Rochereau, from where you can catch a coach, bus or RER to many diffrerent destinations in Paris, including the airports. The Catacombs are just across from the Denfert train station and as with many other attractions in Paris, it is best to get there early to avoid the queues.

Restplace for French celebrities

Further down towards Boulevard de Montparnasse, and only 10 mins from our apartments it's the Montparnasse cemetery, where you can visit Baudelaire's bedsite and several other known French famous people: Dreyfus, Gainsbourg, Hachette, Larousse, Sartre and many more.   

Local Artists abound

Some of the best touristic photo opportunities in the 14th happen when you walk around the many little cobbled-stone streets round the quarters like Pernety, Alesia, Reny Coty and Moulin Vert. You will spot half hidden ‘villas’ or completely private houses, named after famous artists or for artist communities. You will also spot plenty of artists workshops, some of whom open doors to the local residents organising practical handcraft workshops. There is no lack for music artists either, some of whom find their way playing in some of the bigger gig places in the quarter like l’Entrepot.

Nearby Parks

If you are looking for a parc to do some jogging, walk, play 'petanque' or ' picque-nicque' in the nice weather, then your choice is Luxemburg Gardens if you are on the tourist track. It is only about 20 mins walk to Luxembourg Gardens from either of our apartments. The alternative choice to Luxembourg could be 'Parc Montsouris', if you choose to blench with the locals in the 14th arrondisement.

Montparnasse Tower

In case you wonder if the Eiffel Tower or the Luxembourg Gardens are near the apartments, the answer is yes. We are only a 20 mins bus ride away to the Eiffel Tower. Bus 38 takes you there from where you will have excellent views of the Tower from the hill at Place de Catalonya.  However I do recommend you to go up the Montparnasse Tower instead

The main reasons why I prefer the views at the Montparnasse Tower instead of the those on the Eiffel Tower are the following:

Amenities in the immediate vicinity

Whether you choose to stay in our studio apartment or the one bedroom, you will be at a stone's throw distance from the Town Hall of the 14, one of the most social areas in the 14th district. There are several local 'boulangeries' where you can buy the morning croissants and bread. There are also many local groceries and chain supermarkets plus herbal and organic food shops and local markets.

Within a few minutes walk you have the trendy and popular rue Daguerre. This fruit and vegetable pedestranised market street has preserve all its charm along the years. There are fish shops, delicatessen groceries, regional food shops and a variety of cafés and restaurants open day and evening.

How far will I be from the most popular tourist sights or areas?

[/p]|

Facts about the 14th

[p]The 14th Arrondisement has been scene to numerous movies about Paris. Cinema-makers choose this area because of its unspoilt nature and unique feel of French life. Below is some of the movies you may want to watch where the 14th district is staged: [/p]

Movies

[/gc]