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This month we are in the fabled ‘Latin Quarter’ where I spent my student days, so we will be taking a more modest approach to eating and drinking - for once. Just so there is more money to splash out in the sales - the bargains are still there to be had.
 There is a great deal of walking so I suggest a good solid lunch and one of my very favourite lunch spots is the Jardin des Pates (Garden of Pasta), 4 Rue Lacepede, 75005, TEL 01 43 31 50 71. I have been going here for about ten years and it never fails to hit the spot. It is tucked away near the Jardin des Plantes - Metro Jussieu - but it’s a real find. They make their organic pasta on the premises and with stable choices such as ham off the bone with Comte cheese, chicken livers or simple spring vegetables. You get a good plateful, its tasty and wont break the bank. It is also refreshing to eat pasta that isn’t trying to be Italian - now that’s original!
Now we need to work off those carbohydrates and next door is the Jardin des Plantes. There is a wonderful park, along with wonderful gardens to stroll and the Natural History Museum. There is lots of to see and do. The address is Museum d'Histoire Naturelle, 57, rue Cuvier 75005.
 Maybe you need a refreshing cup of mint tea or a steam bath...the choice is yours (not actually inside the café though). Then head to the Café de la Mosquee, 29 rue Geoffroy St. –Hilaire- TEL 01 43 31 38 20, which is inside the Mosque de Paris, the oldest in France. If you are peckish, then please have some of their wonderful sticky pastries and if you do fancy a steam, make sure to get the day right - girls on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Guys on Tuesday and Sunday.
 A bit more walking now to see the Pantheon - a temple to the great men of France. Among those buried in its necropolis are Voltaire, Rousseau, Mirabeau, Marat, Victor Hugo, Emile Zola, and Soufflot - its architect. It is situated on Place du Pantheon 75005. Then afterwards take a stroll around one of the most beautiful gardens in Paris - les Jardins de Luxembourg - RER Luxembourg. Wander around the statues and beautiful arbored alleys - summer is baking hot in Paris so you’ll be glad of the shade.
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 Now I think you’ve earned your supper this evening and I have the most wonderful restaurant for you. This is a real word of mouth place and from the outside you wouldn’t have much of a clue of the gastronomic delights that await you inside. Amidst a swirl of 1970s disco décor it is a traditional French bistro. Les Fontaines 9, rue Soufflot, 75005 Paris TEL 01 4326 4280. However with such high quality ingredients and interesting interpretations of our well loved dishes you may well wonder why it remains such a hidden treasure. The service isn’t the most cordial but it is precise and efficient. The wine list isn’t that exciting but there are a lot of wines available by the glass you can try out a few and that can’t be bad.. Count around €38 per person.
Imo
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