Rue Mouffetard

5th Arrondissement, Paris
Paris, France

Contributed by Project for Public Spaces

This ancient narrow street works in the same way it has for centuries: as a place where people live, shop, eat and meet.

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Why It Works

Rue Mouffetard runs on a gentle slope from the Place de la Contrescarpe down to the Square St. Medard. The street has become a major attraction for Parisians - especially young ones - and tourists alike. Houses as old as nine centuries line the street, with cafes, food shops, and a morning market that spills out onto the congested street. While it is open to traffic, it functions for the most part as a pedestrian street - which is a big part of its charm.

History & Background

Rue Mouffetard is a remnant of an old Roman road. Some buildings date from the 12th century, and many have distinct histories; in a sense, this street represents the history of Paris. The market fills its lower half every morning, and people come to do their daily shopping. Its vitality is reminiscent of a scene from the Middle Ages. After the market closes, restaurants open up, offering a wide variety of ethnic foods and more stereotypically French food at cafes and creperies.

Contact Info:

Mayor's office of the 5th Arrondissement

User Comments:

> Add your own comment about Rue Mouffetard

09/11/03 Craig DuPriest said:: What a wonderful place to visit! My wife and I spent a week there in 2002 and still talk about the wonderful scenes and scents of this historic street in Paris. Everything we needed was there including plenty of food choices. We particularly enjoyed the street band that played outside our hotel one Sunday morning. 'Will return...
10/13/03 louise Duggan said:: I really like the look and sound of this place, especially the transition from market to eating district. Any chance of some images from after the market has closed for the day?
12/29/03 Richard McDonough said:: Rue Mouffetard was a miracle for my wife and me when we first strolled on it from our nearby hotel 26 years ago. It remains so. Both contrived as a tourist restaurant street and genuine as a neighborhood market street, it contains elements that make it a truly useful public space, including a book store, a cinema, a theatre, and a church at the foot that doubles as a music venue. The animation of rue Mouffetard reinforces the sense of joie that the best of Paris streets evoke.
09/14/05 Dennis Hammock said:: I stumbled upon rue Moffetard on my last visit to Paris, five years ago. Until today, I did not know the name of the street (I'm planning a return visit, so, I'm doing some research of the neighborhood because I want to return to my same hotel & arrondisment)I only knew that the times I spent there on that street were simply delightful and that street represents the best of my impressions of Paris. Great public spaces like that are not created and designed from scratch; they slowly evolve, remaing relevant to the needs of the surronding community. Sometimes it takes centuries . . .
01/27/07 sandy h said:: My husband and I love the rue Mouffetard and usually spend our first Sunday in Paris there. We like to start with breakfast at the Pain Quotidien located right by the Eglise St. Medard. Pain Quotidien is a cozy little cafe with big, wooden tables and friendly counter service. After breakfast, we head up the street and generally find musicians setting up. There's usually music from about 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM. http://www.parisdugrandmere.blogspot.com/
04/02/07 june steele said:: I was lucky enough to discover Rue Mouffetard on my first visit to Paris, and now I cannot get it out of mind. It stays with me more than any other image of the great city.