In the 13th century, the University of Paris was founded on the south bank of the Seine River. Soon after, the area became to be known as the Latin Quarter for the language passers-by would hear on the street. Today the Latin Quarter makes up the core of Paris’ Left Bank, offering a variety of ethnic restaurants, tangled lanes, and the city’s famous cafe scene. For more information on the Rick Steves’ Europe TV series — including episode descriptions, scripts, participating stations, travel information on destinations and more — visit www.ricksteves.com.

photo and video montage of a tourist’s parisian experience

Amber and Paolo’s summer 2008 Paris trip