Paris Bike Tour Hidden Secrets in the Latin Quarter & Le Marais neighborhoods

The first half of the tour will be in this charming part of central Paris. One of the oldest parts of Paris, the Latin Quarter got its name from the Latin that was spoken by all of the La Sorbonne University students back in the days when Paris had one of the first international Universities in the world. You'll love cycling on its tiny back streets and learning its vibrant history.

The Shakespeare and Co. Bookstore has almost become a shrine to the written word. It's in a medieval building with wooden beams and plaster walls. It has shelves overflowing with the literature of all ages and sorts. You'll learn its fascinating history and then have free time to explore inside it and maybe meet some of the the authors who actually sleep in the store!

The Procope is the oldest Café in Paris! The Procope was founded in 1686 and has seen many of the most famous people in history eat there. Among them were Benjamin Franklin, Voltaire, Napoléon Bonaparte, and Victor Hugo. You'll learn a few of the fun stories that have happened here and be able to take souvenir photos too!

Saint Sulpice is, almost, the biggest church in Paris! A few more centimeters tall and it would be bigger than Notre Dame Cathedral. This Church has definitely seen an amazing history. Learn about its sorted past, its mismatched towers, and why it inspired Dan Brown to include it in his book: The DaVinci Code. Then go inside to see its majesty for yourself.

Although a huge building the Pantheon remains a hidden gem as very few foreign travelers realize just how amazing it is. It is the final resting place for the noblest French people in History. You'll learn about scientists: Pierre and Marie Curie, Authors: Alexandre Dumas and Victor Hugo, as well as Dancer/Activist: Josephine Baker.

Taking a break on rue Mouffetard you’ll admire the local café ambiance that is well off the beaten tourist trail. You’ll be given a break here, for your lunch, and have 30 minutes to enjoy it at your own cost. This is where locals go to get the best savory crepes in Paris, but you can eat at an adorable little French bakery or café if you prefer!

The Arenes de Lutece is an ancient Roman arena. Think about the Roman Colosseum but inside of Paris! You didn't know that we had a Roman arena in Paris? Well, we do and we keep it pretty well hidden too. You'll cycle into the arena itself and learn about the fascinating history that Rome played in shaping Paris as well what sort of bloody games the arena hosted.

Le Marais was a swamp that was built up and beautified over the centuries by the local Parisian Jewish community. Today it is known for its trendy shops and charming atmosphere especially on Sundays as it is the only neighborhood to have businesses open. In France, shops are required to stay closed for at least 1 day a week, in Le Marais they chose Saturday.

This wall is engraved with the names of over 3,900 non-Jewish French people who risked, and sometimes lost, their lives in an effort to save French Jewish people from the atrocities that they faced during WWII. It is a heartwrenching stop but a necessary one as this tour is a cultural tour and in Le Marais the culture has always been mostly Jewish.

Admire the lovely pedestrian street of Rue des Rosiers as you walk your bike along it peeking inside of its shops and smelling the amazing aromas coming from its restaurants. With all of its tiny boutique stores and highly rated kosher restaurants, it has become the heart of the Jewish neighborhood in Le Marais.

See one of the most beautiful, and certainly the most unique, public squares in Paris, the Place des Vosges. With its red brick buildings built back in the 1500s, this square is a perfect mix of local and high society. The brick buildings house elite art shops and a fancy hotel while the grassy center is where the everyday locals come to picnic and let their kids splash in the fountains.

Philippe August was the king of France back in the 1100's. He built a massive stone wall around the city of Paris to defend it from attack. At that time the king in England was Richard the Lion Heart. Learn about their odd relationship and why Philippe built the wall. We'll stop at the largest and best-preserved part of the wall today and you will be impressed.

See the Hotel de Sens this fortress-looking mansion is tucked away from the tourist trail and comes complete with turrets and gargoyles. You'll learn why it was built and the funny story about how it got a cannonball stuck in its facade!