neighborhood
Saint-Germain-des-Prés
The literary heart of the Left Bank, home to Sartre, Beauvoir, Hemingway and legendary cafés.
History & context
The district grew around the abbey of Saint-Germain-des-Prés, founded in the 6th century: its Romanesque bell tower is one of the oldest in Paris.
In the 20th century the cafés on the square became headquarters for the existentialists. Sartre, Beauvoir, Camus, Boris Vian and jazz musicians made Saint-Germain the intellectual centre of post-war Paris. Galleries and publishing houses have stayed on.
Why visit
- ·Literary cafés that are still running
- ·Elegant, quiet Haussmann architecture
- ·Art galleries and bookshops on every street
What to see
- ·Saint-Germain church
- ·Café de Flore
- ·Les Deux Magots
- ·Place de Furstenberg
- ·Art galleries
Practical tips
- ·Combine with Luxembourg Garden
- ·Cafés are pricey — experience justifies it
Best photo spots
- ·Place de Furstenberg and its lamp posts
- ·The Deux Magots terrace facing the bell tower
Good to know
- ·A terrace coffee at the Flore costs far more than at the counter
- ·Saint-Germain-des-Prés church is free to visit
- ·The covered Saint-Germain market is an affordable lunch option
Schedules and tickets may change. Check the official website before booking.
Anu's insider tip
Take the detour to Place de Furstenberg: it is the quietest corner of the district.
Itineraries with this place
Nearby
Luxembourg Garden
A French garden commissioned by Marie de Medici in 1612, the most beloved Left Bank park.
Musée d'Orsay
A Belle Époque train station turned museum, Orsay holds the world's largest Impressionist collection.
Latin Quarter
The student quarter around the Sorbonne, medieval lanes, bookshops and lively bistros.
Île de la Cité
Historical cradle of Paris in the middle of the Seine, the founding site of Lutetia.