The Passage des Postes is an ancient alleyway that was opened onto rue Mouffetard in 1830, while the Pot de Fer is one of 14 fountains Marie de Medicis had built on the Left Bank in 1624 to provide water for her Palais du Luxembourg. The fountain was rebuilt in 1671.  Place de la  Contrescarpe

was laid out in 1852 and used to lie outside the old city walls. It got its name from the moat that ran along these walls, built by King Philipp-Auguste at the beginning of the 13th century.

This area has long been home to festivals and is still extremely lively, especially on weekends. There is a famous Bastille Day Ball held here each year. No. 1 Place de la Contrescarpe has a plaque commemorating the ‘Pine-cone Club’ immortalised by Rabelais, and was where a group of writers called La Pléiade (The Pleiades – after the constellation) used to meet in the 16th century.

Rue Mouffetard

Jardin des Plantes

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