Sorbonne

The Basics

Tours of the original Sorbonne building and grounds are by appointment only, bookable through the University of Paris. They are offered in French only, so the university recommends that visitors who speak foreign languages hire an interpreter.

Daytime Latin Quarter walking tours typically include a walk past the Sorbonne and library buildings, as well as the Shakespeare & Co. bookstore, Notre Dame Cathedral (Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris), and the Panthéon; evening tours showcase these landmarks illuminated under the night sky. Themed neighborhood tours range from photography walks to medieval tours for history buffs. Small-group tours are an intimate way to experience the area, while private tours allow you to customize the day’s itinerary according to your interests.

Things to Know Before You Go

• La Sorbonne is ideal for academics, and history and architecture buffs.

• La Sorbonne is often mistaken for a single prestigious university, but the Sorbonne buildings house classrooms for at least seven different schools.

• Round out your trip to the Sorbonne with a stop at iconic Notre Dame and a picnic lunch in the Luxembourg Gardens.

• Cours de Civilisation Française de la Sorbonne offers French-language courses on the Sorbonne campus that are popular for extended-stay visitors in Paris.

How to Get There

Located in the Latin Quarter of Paris (the 5th and 6th arrondissements on the left bank of the Seine), La Sorbonne is easily accessible on foot or public transit. The nearest stops are Cluny on buses 63 and 87, and Cluny–La Sorbonne on the metro’s line 10.

When to Get There

While there is no bad time to see the Sorbonne, fall and spring offer a glimpse into the bustling university atmosphere as well as the opportunity to people-watch from the neighborhood’s many cafés.

Famous Alumni

The University of Paris, housed in the Sorbonne building and others throughout the Latin Quarter, was attended by a handful of influential thinkers, writers, and Parisians. As you stroll through the streets, you’re walking in the footsteps of famed alumni such as theologian Thomas Aquinas, philosophers Roland Barthes and Simone de Beauvoir, painter Edgar Degas, scientists Pierre and Irène Curie, and author and activist Elie Wiesel.

Ways to explore

Tours inside the original La Sorbonne building and grounds are by appointment, which can be booked through the University of Paris. Tours are offered in French only, so the university recommends that visitors who speak other languages hire an interpreter. Latin Quarter walking tours typically include a stroll past La Sorbonne and its library buildings, as well as the Shakespeare and Company Bookstore, Notre-Dame Cathedral, and the Panthéon; evening tours showcase these landmarks illuminated under the night sky. Themed neighborhood tours range from photography walks to medieval-themed itineraries for history buffs.

Accessibility

Not all Latin Quarter neighborhood tours are wheelchair accessible, so it’s best to check ahead of booking.

Age limits

Most tours that include a stop to admire La Sorbonne do not have a minimum age limit, but architectural tours may hold little interest for young travelers.

What to pack

Camera and battery pack, sun hat, water bottle, sunscreen

What to wear

Comfortable shoes

Not allowed

Visitors who are not registered students or faculty are not allowed to enter La Sorbonne.

Amenities

The surrounding Latin Quarter has shops, eateries, and public restrooms.

Address

Located in the Latin Quarter (the 5th and 6th arrondissements on the left bank of the Seine), La Sorbonne is easily accessible on foot or by public transportation from most of the top attractions in the city.

Driving

The area around La Sorbonne is known for its busy traffic and limited parking, so driving here is a hassle. Leave your car and reach the Latin Quarter’s sights—including La Sorbonne—on foot or by public transportation.

Public transportation

To reach La Sorbonne by public transportation, take buses 63 or 87 to the Cluny stop or hop on metro line 10 to Cluny–La Sorbonne station.

Best times to visit

The top attractions in the Latin Quarter can get very crowded with visitors—tour the neighborhood in the morning or late afternoon to bypass the throngs.

Best days to visit

Tours of La Sorbonne’s surrounding neighborhood generally run seven days a week. Shakespeare and Company Bookstore—one of the most famous nearby landmarks—is closed on Sunday mornings, so visit from Monday through Saturday if you’d like to stop by.

Best months to visit

Spring and fall are the best seasons to explore Paris neighborhoods on foot, and the area around La Sorbonne thrums with students during these seasons.

Special events

Guided tours in French are offered by the University of Paris and can be booked on the university website.