14th Arrondissement

Montparnasse is an area in Paris, France that is located in the left bank of the Sein river. It encompasses the immediate area around the intersection of Rue de Rennes and the Boulevard de Montparnasse, within the 14th arrondissement of the city.

Parc Montsouris is a public park also located within the 14th arrondissement and is situated one and half mile southeast of the Montparnasse junction.

Sights & Activities

One of the most prominent landmarks in Montparnasse is the Tour Montparnasee, the largest skyscraper in France. It is also built on top of the Montparmasse-Bienvenüe station of the Paris Metro. Largely utilized as an office building, the views afforded in this tower are quite spectacular and extensive.

Another notable attraction located in the area is the Montparnasse cemetery, where a lot of visitors stop by to view the tombs of several notable persons in the city, particularly intellectuals and artists. The cemetery is accessed via the Boulevard Edgar Quintet in the north, by the Rue Froidevaux in the south, and is traversed by the Rue Emile Richard. A guide map can be obtained at the guard shack or at the conservation center for those who wish to explore the area but are unfamiliar with the cemetery’s layout.

A short distance southeast of the cemetery is the Parc Montsouris, a public park that was laid out similar to an English garden. The park was created at the behest of Napoleon III and Baron Haussman in the 19th century. It is a popular outdoor destination in the area, especially during weekends when a lot of people use the space for jogging, walking, and for picnics. A small lake located in the southern part of the park is a frequent stopover for migratory birds. The park also boasts of several trees providing ample shade to visitors, while bronze and marble statues provide points of interests and enhance the park’s aesthetic appeal.

For those who have the time to explore the area further, a visit to the Bobino music hall along Rue de la Gaité would be in order. This music hall was established in 1800 and is one of the few music hall theatres that boasts of an extensive list of stars who performed there.

The Catacombes de Paris caters to the more adventurous individual who yearn for a truly unique experience. Located at Place Denfert Rochereau, these newly renovated catacombs contain the bones taken from cemeteries located in the right bank of the river. Apart from showcasing a macabre aspect of the city, the catacombs will also provide a hint for visitors on the extent of underground tunnels located right under the city of Paris.

Eating Out

There are numerous eating establishments within the area that cater to all types of cuisine any visitor or local may crave for. Near the Tour Montparnasse is the exotic Brasil Tropical along Rue du Départ and La Tour de Marrakech on Rue Poinsot. Along Boulevard du Montparnasse are the child-friendly Léon de Bruxelles, the Cosmos, the Bistrot du Dôme which serves only fish dishes, the Maranello, and the Yamato.