Discover Saint-Germain-des-Prés’s 37 best spots for your trip in Paris

The Luxembourg Palace was built in the early 17th century for Marie de' Medici and now houses the French Senate, set within the beloved Jardin du Luxembourg. While the palace interior has limited public access, the surrounding gardens — with their fountains, tree-lined paths, and green metal chairs — are one of the most cherished green spaces in Paris.

Brasserie Des Prés serves classic French brasserie fare in Paris's 6th arrondissement. It belongs to the La Nouvelle Garde group, known for reviving traditional bistro cooking with a contemporary touch.

Expect a lively, convivial setting suited to casual meals or drinks, in keeping with the group's other Parisian brasseries.

Musée d'Orsay occupies a former Belle Époque railway station, its grand hall and glass roof forming a striking backdrop for the collection inside. The museum specializes in Impressionist and Post-Impressionist works, alongside sculpture and decorative arts.

Timed-entry tickets help manage visitor flow, and many describe the building itself, with its ornate architecture and large clock, as a highlight alongside the artwork.

Saint-Germain-des-Prés dates back to the 6th century, making it the oldest church still standing in Paris, though most of the current structure was rebuilt around the 11th century. It anchors the historic square and neighborhood that share its name, and remains an active parish church as well as a landmark stop for visitors exploring the Left Bank.

Managed by the French Senate, this garden features landmarks such as the Médicis Fountain, the Orangerie, ornamental gates, statues and notable trees. Visitors can join guided tours, free horticulture courses, family-friendly trails and games, or explore the on-site Musée du Luxembourg and Davioud pavilion.

A music kiosk and beehive school add to its varied attractions across the grounds.

Le Bon Marché opened in 1852 as the world's first modern department store, and today remains one of the most stylish and carefully curated shopping destinations in Paris, distinct from the larger, more crowded stores near Opéra. Its adjoining food hall, La Grande Épicerie, is considered a destination in its own right.

Saint-Germain-des-Prés became the epicenter of Paris's literary and philosophical life in the mid-20th century, home to cafés like Les Deux Magots and Café de Flore where Sartre, de Beauvoir, and Hemingway once held court. Today the neighborhood blends that intellectual legacy with high-end boutiques and art galleries, remaining one of the most walkable and atmospheric parts of the Left Bank.

Founded in 1884 and named for the two wooden statues watching over the room, this Left Bank café was a meeting point for writers and artists like Sartre, Beauvoir and Picasso. Expect red Moleskine banquettes, a leafy terrace facing the church, and Parisian classics such as hot chocolate and tarte tatin.

A weekend brunch runs Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays from 11am to 3:30pm.

Established in 1686 in Saint-Germain-des-Prés, Le Procope was the first Paris restaurant to serve coffee at table and became a meeting place for figures like Voltaire, Rousseau and Diderot. The 18th-century interior preserves this literary history, while a hidden courtyard terrace offers outdoor seating.

The kitchen reworks classic Parisian dishes such as coq au vin and braised beef cheek, and historic salons are available for private events.

Coutume Babylone is a coffee shop run by Coutume, a Paris-area roaster founded in 2010 specializing in single-origin coffee. Baristas prepare freshly roasted coffee as espresso or filter methods, alongside a seasonal food menu.

The setting suits brunch, lunch or a casual coffee break, located on rue de Babylone near the Sèvres-Babylone metro station.

This Saint-Germain outpost of Le Relais de l'Entrecôte offers no menu choices beyond salad, steak and fries, served with a signature sauce. Expect queues, as reservations aren't taken and the format draws steady crowds.

The dining room has a lively, bustling atmosphere, with staff bringing a second helping of steak and fries after the first plate is cleared.

A 2-hour small-group guided tour of the Musée d'Orsay, housed in a former Beaux-Arts train station. The guide covers major works by Monet, Van Gogh, Renoir, Cézanne, and Degas, with skip-the-line entry and context on the Impressionist movement.

A 2-hour small-group guided tour of the Musée d'Orsay, housed in a former Beaux-Arts train station. The guide covers major works by Monet, Van Gogh, Renoir, Cézanne, and Degas, with skip-the-line entry and context on the Impressionist movement.

Café de Flore is a landmark café in Saint-Germain-des-Prés, long associated with Parisian literary and intellectual life. Since 1994 it has hosted the Prix de Flore, an annual award for a promising young author, presented each November over dinner at the café.

Expect classic café fare, coffee and breakfast service in a setting steeped in literary history.

Deyrolle has operated from the same address on Rue du Bac since 1888, its upper floor filled with an extraordinary collection of taxidermy animals, insects, and natural history curiosities that has drawn artists and collectors for generations. It functions as much as a cabinet of curiosities to wander through as a shop to buy from.

Steps from Musée d'Orsay, this bistrot pairs a refined menu with décor of capitoned leather banquettes, mirrors and a solid wood bar. The kitchen, run by a genuine chef, turns out fine bistro cooking at fair prices.

A large terrace on a quiet stretch of pavement draws an eclectic mix of regulars and antique-loving visitors. Open daily from morning until late.

Le Comptoir du Relais is the restaurant of the Hôtel Relais Saint Germain, founded in 2004 by chef Yves Camdeborde. It embodies the convivial Parisian bistro spirit, serving generous, flavorful dishes made from ingredients sourced by the chef himself, paired with a 100% natural wine list.

Located at the Carrefour de l'Odéon, it does not accept reservations.

Allard is a traditional Left Bank bistro dating to 1932, now overseen by chef Alain Ducasse. Original decor is preserved throughout, with wood panelling, red velvet banquettes and vintage tapestries creating an intimate, old-Paris atmosphere.

The menu focuses on seasonal, classic bistro dishes paired with wines from Burgundy and beyond. The restaurant also offers private hire for events and business meals.

Tucked along the Quai des Grands Augustins near Saint-Michel, this small bistro specializes in cheesy, comforting gratins alongside classics like charcuterie and smoked salmon. Seating is tight and bustling, with a small dedicated staff handling everything from hosting to bartending with warmth and charm.

Vegetarian options are limited but well-prepared. Best visited outside peak hours to avoid the rush.

Kodawari Ramen Yokochō recreates the atmosphere of a narrow Tokyo alley lined with izakaya and small eateries. Chef Jean-Baptiste Meusnier, an outspoken ramen enthusiast, oversees a menu built on carefully selected or artisan-made ingredients.

The immersive decor and focus on quality have earned the restaurant several hospitality industry awards, including the 2017 Palme d'Or de la Restauration.

Pont des Arts is a pedestrian-only bridge linking the Louvre to the Institut de France across the Seine. It offers open views of the river and surrounding landmarks, making it a popular spot for walking, photography, and watching the sunset.

Its car-free wooden deck creates a relaxed, quiet atmosphere amid the busier parts of central Paris.

The Institut de France, with its distinctive gilded dome, sits directly across the Seine from the Louvre and is home to the Académie française, the body responsible for the French language, along with several other learned academies. Reviewers highlight the striking architecture, best appreciated from outside or via a guided tour of the interior when available.

Located on Rue de Grenelle in the 7th arrondissement, this museum centers on the work of sculptor Aristide Maillol while also hosting major temporary exhibitions, including fashion and art retrospectives. Visitors can explore the collection daily, with a late-night opening on Thursdays.

An audioguide is available, and reduced rates apply for seniors, students, and young visitors.

This Rue Bonaparte shop sells Pierre Hermé's signature macarons, chocolates and pastries, including creations like the rose-and-raspberry Ispahan. Customers can build custom macaron boxes from a rotating selection of flavors or pick up seasonal pastries and cakes.

The compact boutique offers in-store pickup within two hours, alongside home delivery options.

Saint-Sulpice is one of Paris's largest churches, an active Catholic parish offering daily and Sunday masses, confession, and adoration. Visitors can explore its notable art and architecture, including a Gnomon meridian line and Delacroix murals in a side chapel.

The church also hosts organ music events and cultural programs, drawing both worshippers and those interested in its historical and artistic significance.

This Rue de Sèvres shop is run by chef and TV personality Cyril Lignac, offering pastries, breads, and desserts crafted with classic French technique. Signature items include seasonal tarts, éclairs, and viennoiseries, alongside chocolates.

It's one of several Paris addresses bearing Lignac's name, known for drawing steady queues of regulars and tourists.

La Grande Épicerie de Paris, the food-focused sibling of the Bon Marché department store, spans aisles of French and international delicacies alongside a bakery, wine cellar, and prepared-food counters. Reviewers frequently describe it as a highlight of a Paris trip in its own right, worth visiting even without buying anything.

Located on the Musée d'Orsay's forecourt within the historic Hôtel de Salm, this museum traces the history of the Légion d'honneur and other chivalric orders of France and the world. Its collections stem from exhibitions dating back to 1889, with the museum itself established in 1925 to honour those affected by the First World War.

Displays include decorations, medals and related artefacts.

Officine Universelle Buly 1803 revives a historic French perfume and grooming house, its Saint-Germain boutique styled after a 19th-century apothecary with dark wood cabinets and painted ceilings. Reviewers, including longtime admirers of the brand, describe visiting as much for the atmosphere as for the products themselves.

Set within the Luxembourg Gardens, this museum focuses on temporary art exhibitions rather than a permanent collection. Past shows, including one on Leonora Carrington, have drawn praise for being well organized and informative, though the exhibition space is fairly compact.

Staff are noted as welcoming, and the galleries are air-conditioned, making it a comfortable stop on warm days.