Slow Travel in Paris: Where to go in Saint Germain des Pres, 6th Arrondissement

Original Post: March 8, 2020
Last Updated: March 12, 2023

Explore the stunning neighborhood of Saint Germain des Prés by wandering through some of its most beautiful streets.

In this post, you’ll learn a bit about the history of Saint Germain des Prés, where the neighborhood is located in Paris, and 7 of my favorite streets that will give you a great taste of this gorgeous neighborhood.

By the end, you’ll know where to wander and explore when you visit Paris! On y va (let’s go)!

A Gem on the Left Bank of Paris

Saint Germain des Prés is, without a doubt, one of my favorite neighborhoods in Paris, and one that I recommend you add to your Paris travel plans.. It’s a fantastic area to spend a day wandering through gorgeous streets, popping in and out of small shops, art galleries, bookstores and old churches… and I certainly recommend taking a short walk down to the Luxembourg Gardens, just a 5-10 minute walk south. This neighborhood on the Left Bank has loads of old Parisian charm, small streets, and picturesque buildings. 

A Brief History of Saint Germain des Pres

Saint Germain des Prés dates back to the 500s (you read that right!), when it was originally a religious and rural community.

However, it is most famous for being a major literary and artistic hub during the late 19th and early 20th century: writers and poets Simone de Beauvoir, Jean-Paul Sartre, Ernest Hemingway, James Joyce, F Scott & Zelda Fitzgerald; painters Edouard Manet and Eugène Delacroix; and even Julia Child each spent much of their time and/or actually lived in this beautiful neighborhood.

Today it is a gorgeous, pedestrian-friendly neighborhood with plenty of charming, winding streets, Parisian cafés, old shops and courtyards, and beautiful architecture. 

Where to Find Saint Germain des Prés in Paris

Saint Germain des Prés is just one of four quartiers (quarters) in the 6th arrondissement, but it is the most well-known - so much so, that sometimes it’s used to refer to the entire neighborhood of the 6th. Saint Germain des Prés is located on the Left Bank of Paris, which tends to be slightly quieter and less congested than some areas on the Right Bank. 

It’s also relatively calm and quiet for how close the neighborhood sits to the very heart of Paris - you can get to the Seine River, which slices Paris in half, within a 10-15 minute walk from almost anywhere in Saint Germain des Prés, and it is still only a 20-30 minute walk or short metro ride to many of the most popular things to do in Paris. Because of its centrality and quieter vibe, I often recommend this neighborhood for visitors looking for hotel or apartment recommendations in Paris. 

The quartier of Saint Germain des Prés is the area bordered by the Rue des Saints-Pères, Quai Voltaire/Quai Malaquais, Rue Mazarine, and Blvd Saint-Germain. It blends seamlessly into the Odéon quartier to the south and the stunning Luxembourg Gardens.

How to Get to Saint Germain des Pres by Metro

The metro lines that serve the Saint Germain des Prés area are Line 4 and Line 10.

See below for the metro stations that are within or very close to the Saint Germain des Prés area - in order of centrality to the neighborhood:

• Saint Germain des Prés (Line 4)

• Mabillon (Line 10)

• Odéon (Line 4 & Line 10)

• Saint-Sulpice (Line 4)

Slow Travel in Paris: Seven Gorgeous Streets in Saint Germain des Pres

I’ve found that slowing down and exploring a neighborhood, especially such a gorgeous one like Saint Germain des Prés, is a great opportunity to practice the concept of slow travel.

By walking through these picturesque streets, you’ll be able to take in your surroundings, lower your stress and worry about rushing from one place to another, and still see a lot of this tiny pocket of Paris. 

To help get you started, I’ve included seven of my favorite streets to visit in Saint Germain des Prés:

If this street alone sounds like a dream, you’ll LOVE my 7 Days in Paris Explorer Guidebook: the first day is dedicated to Saint Germain des Prés and the surrounding area. And the other 6 days in the itinerary take you to a different charming neighborhood each day.

Street No. 2 - Place de Furstemberg

Place de Furstemberg is an easy-to-miss street just off of Rue Jacob. This tiny street is loaded with Parisian charm. I especially love the architecture, including the intricate brickwork on a few of the buildings. Fans of Eugene Delacroix may want to stop in the museum dedicated to the artist’s work. I especially enjoy window shopping at the florist: Oz Jardin pour Flamant, which often has a gorgeous display spilling out onto the street. You may even be fortunate enough to catch a glimpse of a florist making bouquets on the street.

Street No. 3 - Rue Bonaparte

Rue Bonaparte is a long, gorgeous street with incredible doors, charming cafés, art galleries, and pastry shops. You really cannot go wrong wandering down this street, which starts at the Seine, stretches through the entire neighborhood, down through the Odéon area, ending at the edge of the incredible Luxembourg Gardens. 

Two of the neighborhood’s famous churches, Eglise de Saint Germain des Prés and Eglise Saint Sulpice are located along Rue Bonaparte as well. I especially love the Eglise de Saint Germain des Prés with its gorgeous painted interiors. If you’ve visited this church in the past (before 2019), consider paying it another visit - it has undergone a major facelift and the colors of the painted walls are beautiful and vibrant. 

Street No. 4 - Rue Mazarine

I stayed in an apartment on Rue Mazarine during my first trip to Paris and absolutely loved the vibe of the street. It is filled with art galleries, with little bookshops (librairies) and some great restaurants and bars too, including Kondowari Ramen and Prescription Cocktail Club.

The street begins at the charming Square Gabrielle Pierné (don’t miss the park benches in the shape of open books!) and ends at the bustling Place du Grand Réré, in the heart of one of the most touristy and busy areas in the neighborhood.

Street No. 6 - Rue Christine

Emerging onto Rue Dauphine, you can cross the street to enjoy the tiny and delightful Rue Christine. If you’re in the mood for classic cinema, Christine 21 plays classic films - last time I walked by, they were featuring films starring Gregory Peck.

My favorite spot on Rue Christine is the restaurant Le Christine. My husband and I chose to book a reservation here on a whim, and it was so incredible that I’ve returned quite a few times since. 

Street No. 7 - Cour du Commerce Saint André

Let’s end our walk at one of the best “hidden” streets in Paris: Cour du Commerce Saint André. This passageway is filled with little restaurants, including the oldest restaurant in Paris, Le Procope. This passageway is incredibly picturesque and will have you feeling like you’ve stepped back in time, or perhaps into a scene from Harry Potter ;) 

By using this mini Paris travel guide to explore some of the beautiful streets above, you’ll get a taste of how I personally like to visit Paris. You can use this as an idea of what to do in Paris: experiences that are memorable, beautiful, and interesting without the feeling of rushing around.

To get a preview of my slow travel guides, download my free One Day in Paris Guidebook for a glimpse of my intentional, flexible travel planning style.

Saint Germain des Prés Map: Featuring my Favorite Streets in the Neighborhood

Have I missed any of your favorite streets in the neighborhood? Leave me a note below! And in the meantime, have a fantastic time exploring Paris!

Bon voyage,
~ Lauren