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Saint-Germain

Postal Code 75006
After World War II, flocks of painters, philosophers, actors, musicians, and writers made Saint-Germain-des-Prés their home. The Left Bank Paris neighborhood became a cultural center, synonymous with literary cafés, jazz clubs, and art galleries. So many artists and intellectuals crossed paths here, haunting the cafés around the Saint Germain church. And even if the cultural life of the quartier isn’t quite as bustling as it once was, Saint Germain remains a favorite for Paris lovers with its lovely little streets, old houses full of history, and of course, the shaded alleys of the Luxembourg Gardens.

The Must-Sees Near Saint-Germain

WHAT NOT TO MISS IN THIS PARIS NEIGHBORHOOD
  • The beautiful interiors of Saint Germain des Prés church in Paris.

    Step inside the stunning Saint Germain church and admire the vibrant paintings decorating the interior of the Abbey

  • Classic Parisian café in Saint Germain, Les Deux Magots

    Sit on a terrace of one of the famous cafés in the neighborhood, like the Café de Flore or Les Deux Magots

  • Portrait of Eugène Delacroix

    Visit the Musée Delacroix, dedicated to the famous French romantic painter and hidden in a courtyard of the beautifully quiet Place de Furstenberg

  • Medici Fountain at the Luxembourg Gardens in Paris.

    Stroll through the lovely Luxembourg Gardens and be sure not to miss the Medici Fountain

The Best Ways to Relax Around Saint-Germain

WHERE TO UNWIND IN THE ARRONDISSEMENT
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Map of Saint-Germain

Discover the district with our bird’s-eye-view map
Saint Germain neighborhood of Paris map

Saint-Germain-des-Prés is a small neighborhood on the Rive Gauche, tucked between the Latin Quarter on the east and the residential 7th Arrondissement (also home to the Eiffel Tower) on the west.

Main metro stations in Saint Germain:

  • Mabillon (Line 10)
  • Odéon (Lines 4, 10)
  • Saint Germain des Prés (Line 4)
  • Saint-Sulpice (Line 4)

Self-Guided Walking Tour

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Portrait of Urbansider Paris author Ashley

Life in the Neighborhood

By Ashley

“Living in Paris was always something I had imagined for myself, but I wasn’t exactly sure how I would get there. After studying cinema in university and working in the film industry, I switched gears and began working for an international French company. When the opportunity to transfer my life to Paris and work at the HQ’s as an expatriate presented itself, I couldn’t have said ‘yes’ any faster! I’ve been living in Paris for over two years now and I can only say that the reality has lived up to le rêve.

I had visited Paris just a couple of times prior to moving, and I was always drawn to the Saint-Germain-des-Prés neighborhood. I was lucky enough to snag an apartment just near Rue de Buci which has a myriad of amazing restaurants and wine bars frequented by both locals and tourists alike.

A few I’d recommend are le Bar du Marché, la Palette, Atlas, Chez Huguette and le Hibou. I often frequent these spots after work for a delicious meal with a glass of wine with friends to wind down for the day.

On Sundays, you can often find me taking a stroll to reset for another busy Parisian week ahead. My favorite route passes through Place Saint Sulpice where I take a moment of peacefulness inside the beautiful church. After, I often continue to the Jardin du Luxembourg. One of the most famous gardens, and beautiful during all seasons. It’s the perfect spot for a little nature inside the city.”

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