St-Germain/6th Arrondissement, formerly the most literary of Paris' arrondissements, is now one of the city's top shopping districts. Everything is on your doorstep if you stay in St-Germain - cafes, brasseries, bars, and restaurants abound, including the legendary Café de Flore, Les Deux Magots, and Brasserie Lipp. You can find as well: Art galleries, antique shops, theaters and cinemas, street markets, the Jardin du Luxembourg, clothes boutiques, and the high-end department store Le Bon Marché are also available.
On the left bank, lies this magical district. A culturally vibrant neighborhood where academics, musicians, and notable artists mingle. For decades, the dynamic of the Saint-Germain-des-Prés district has drawn visitors from all over the world with its attractive stores and ancient monuments.
Place and boulevard Saint-Germain compete with the high places of Parisian literature and art of the 120th century : There are the two mythical cafés mentioned above: Les Deux Magots and Café de Flore. Writers, painters, sculptors, and musicians have marked the history of these cafés, from Ernest Hemingway to Oscar Wilde, Sartre, Albert Camus, Guillaume Apollinaire, and even Simone De Beauvoir and Picasso, they have made this district mythical.
Another must-see is La Brasserie Lipp, which has wonderful mosaics and murals and is now listed as a historical monument. It was also home to notable figures in literature and politics at the time (Gide, Malraux, Proust, St Exupéry, Camus, Sartre...)). To honor their great customers, the three firms established their literary prizes. While these three addresses share many similarities, they are distinguishable by their facades, decorations, and experiences.
This district is also home to the famous Saint-Germain-des-Prés church, which is one of the last vestiges of Romanesque art in Paris. A treasure to be discovered as soon as you exit the metro. Created in 543, it is the oldest abbey in Paris and experienced many events like the Viking conquest - during which it burned down. Long before Saint-Denis, it served as a royal necropolis during the Merovingian era. In the 19th century, the building, which became a church, was renovated by the architects Godde and Baltard, to whom it owes its beautiful frescoes and paintings.
The Monnaie de Paris is located on quai de Continon, close from rue Jacques Callot and rue Guénégaud. Renovated in 2017, the museum neighboring it displays all the mysteries of coinage, from the melting of materials (gold, silver, copper, etc.) to the engraving and minting of coins. If you don't have time for a full visit, you can view some of the outstanding pieces in the next shop. 11 Quai de Conti has it all in terms of gastronomy! You can book a table at Guy Savoy's 3-star restaurant beforehand, or treat yourself to fine cuisine at the Frappé by Bloom café in the building's courtyard.
The Pont des Arts is visible in front of the Institut de France. This magnificent metal bridge in cast iron leads to the Louvre museum on the other side of the Seine. It was known for a long time as the bridge of lovers, with its many padlocks attached to the balustrade (which was banned in 2015 because this activity threatened the bridge's structure). It is also known for having been immortalized by many photographers and filmmakers. The Pont des Arts have been a living space in its own right since its installation in 1800. In the summer, it's a popular spot for a picnic by the water's edge, where a pleasant mix of painters, musicians, lovers, and revelers converge in a friendly, benevolent atmosphere.
The Delacroix Museum is also worth a visit. In this devoted museum, you may learn about the great French painter's life, works of art, and workshop. Many of Delacroix's early works, including miniature oil paintings, pastels, and drawings, are on show.
In case you've forgotten your French art history, Delacroix (1798 - 1863) is regarded as the artistic head of the French Romantic movement. He was influenced by Rubens and Venetian Renaissance painters who emphasized bright colors, sensuality, and movement in their work. You're certainly familiar with his most renowned work, Liberty Leading the People, which is housed in the Louvre-Lens museum in northern France.
