Montparnasse: Paris’s Bohemian 14th Arrondissement

Located on the Left Bank, the 14th arrondissement is frequently referred to as Montparnasse. This is where you will find the Tour Montparnasse (the famous Parisian skyscraper), the Gare Montparnasse (train station), the Cité Internationale Universitaire de Paris (university) and the Stade Charléty (sports stadium). Montparnasse is also known as an artist community and is home to a variety of small museums and galleries. This is where many famous artists and intellectuals like Simone de Beauvoir, Jean-Paul Sartre, Max Ernst and Pablo Picasso lived and spent their days.

Montparnasse Tower from the Montparnasse cemetery

Metro stops: Denfert-Rochereau, Cité-Universitaire, Raspail and Montparnasse are the most commonly used metro stops in the 14th arrondissement.

What to do in Paris’s 14th Arrondissement

Stade Charléty
Catch a game at Stade Charléty, a huge multi-sport arena, hosting football (soccer), tennis, rugby and squash matches.

Les Catacombes de Paris
Take a (creepy) tour of Les Catacombes de Paris (The Catacombes of Paris). The catacombs date back to the end of the 18^th century. They were established because a nearby cemetery was found to be the origin of disease and infection to the local population. To reduce this risk, the bodies in the nearby cemetery were exhumed and placed underground. Today, visitors can tour the bone-lined caverns and tunnels of the old stone quarries.
1 place Denfert-Rochereau
Métro: Denfert-Rochereau

Parc Montsouris

The purity statue in the Park Montsouris

Stroll around Parc Montsouris. One of Paris’s most colorful public spaces, the Parc Montsouris features a large man-made lake, a series of waterfalls, large sequoia trees and expansive green areas. Bronze statues and playgrounds scattered about add interest to the park. It’s a great place to have a picnic, go for a walk, or let the kids run free for a bit.
boulevard Jourdan
RER Cité-Universitaire

Cimetière de Montparnasse
Tour the famous graves at the Cimetière de Montparnasse (Montparnasse Cemetary),  One of Paris’ three famous cemetaries, Cimitière Montparnasse is the final resting place of French icons such as Man Ray (artist), Serge Gainsbourg (pop musician), the  existentialist philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre and his partner, feminist writer Simone de Beauvoir.
3 boulevard Edgar-Quinet
Métro: Edgar-Quinet, Raspail

Boulevard Edgar Quinet
Soak in the atmosphere on Boulevard Edgar Quinet. Named after the French historian Edgar Quinet, this lively boulevard is known for the Théâtre et Café d’Edgar, Edgar-Quinet Farmer’s Market and the Edgar-Quinet Arts & Crafts Market.
Metro: Edgar Quinet

Fondation Cartier

Fondation Cartier

Take in cutting edge art and design at the Fondation Cartier. The Cartier Foundation is housed in an impressive glass and steel structure designed by the famous French architect Jean Nouvel. The foundation’s purpose is to help further the careers of contemporary artists and designers in a variety of media by promoting their works and exhibits. Visit their website for information on current exhibitions and shows.

To get a view from above and a 360˚ view of Paris, you can visit the viewing platform in the tallest building in Paris, the Tour Montparnasse.

Where to shop in the 14th Arrondissement

Palais des Thés
Tea aficionados will be in heaven at Palais des Thés, an upscale tea shop that carries over three hundred kinds of tea from far off lands such as India, Sri Lanka, China, Tibet, Taïwan, Japan, Vietnam, Indonesia and Kenya. This beautifully designed shop also carries a variety of teapots, cups and other tea accessories.
25 rue Raymond Losserand

Markets in the 14th Arrondissement

Marché Brune
Between L’impasse Vandal and #71 Boulevard Brune
Hours: Thursday from 7:00 am to 2:30 pm and Sunday from 7:00 am to 3:00 pm
Métro: Porte de Vanves

Edgar Quinet Market

Marché Edgar-Quinet
Boulevard Edgar Quinet
Hours: Wednesday from 7:00 am to 2:30 pm and Saturday from 7:00 am to 3:00 pm.
Metro: Edgar-Quinet

Marché Villemain
Avenue Villemain
Hours: Wednesday from 7:00 am to 2:30 pm and Sunday from 7:00 am to 3:00 pm
Metro: Plaisance

Marché Mouton-Duvernet
Place Jacques Demy
Hours: Tuesday and Friday from 7:00 am to 2:30 pm
Metro: Mouton-Duvernet

Brancusi Organic Market
Place Constantin Brancusi
Hours: Saturday from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm
Metro: Gaité

Written by Jen Westmoreland Bouchard for EuropeUpClose.com