Mouffetard Street

Rue Mouffetard, a medieval village in the heart of Paris

The Paris audio-guided tour takes you past Place de la Contrescarpe, sung by Jacques Brel, to reach the entrance of Rue Mouffetard. Familiarly called la Mouffe, this picturesque street of the 5th arrondissement is among the oldest and most charming in the capital.

An old Roman road

Rue Mouffetard lies on an old Roman road that linked Paris to Italy by way of Lyon. It followed the course of the Bièvre, a tributary of the Seine now buried. Its name, so evocative today, was less so originally: it is said to come from the unpleasant smells linked to the activities once set up along the river.

What there is to see

La Mouffe is renowned for its picturesque streets, its old façades and its delicious food shops: cheesemongers, bakers, greengrocers and markets enliven the street. It is the ideal place to taste the atmosphere of a medieval village in the heart of Paris and to shop in a convivial, gourmet atmosphere.

Practical information

Rue Mouffetard descends from Place de la Contrescarpe, in the 5th arrondissement of Paris. It can be walked freely at all hours; partly sloping and cobbled, it calls for good shoes. The shops and markets keep their own hours, particularly lively in the morning.

Why is Rue Mouffetard famous?

For its medieval village atmosphere, its picturesque streets and its many food shops, which make it one of the most charming streets in Paris.

What is Rue Mouffetard built on?

It lies on an old Roman road linking Paris to Italy via Lyon, which followed the course of the Bièvre, now buried.