The neighborhoods of Saint-Germain and Saint-Sulpice consistently draw a mixed crowd of residents, tourists, street entertainers, publishing executives and students. Along with the cafés which line Place Saint-André-des-Arts, well-known neighborhood meeting places include the famous caféDeux-Magots and brassiere Lipp. From 1920 onwards, this area would attract several famous artists and writers. At end of World War II, the winds of Existentialism blow into the neighborhood with the writings of Jean-Paul Sartre and Simone de Beauvoir. While no longer the intellectual meeting place that it once was, it is nevertheless a neighborhood of splendor and beauty. The narrow streets are filled with art galleries, luxury boutiques and bookshops, thus making it an oasis of good living.
For those who enjoy taking a monumental neighborhood stroll, it is hard to beat the ambience and variety found in this area. From the banks of the Seine to the Luxembourg Gardens, the streets and avenues are filled with potential points of interest — Place Saint-Sulpice, Saint Germain Church, Odéon Theatre, and the Hotel de la Monnaie, just to name a few. However, the undeniable central attraction remains the Orsay Museum. Opened in 1986, this renovated train station is dedicated to works of art dating from 1848 to 1914 and includes one of the most impressive collections of impressionist paintings in the world.
A number of art galleries and luxury boutiques line the streets of this neighborhood. Well-known designer boutiques include Dior, Vuitton, Armani, and S. Rykiel, just to name a few.
While it is quite pleasant to stroll through this neighborhood, there are also a variety of stop-off points worth noting. Among them the Bon Marché, Paris’ most elegant department store and its food hall, the Grande Epicierie de Paris, where products from all over the world line the shelves. Also, do not miss Pierre Hermé, the best and most sophisticated bakery of Paris with its exotic collection of macaroons. Rue de Buci has open-air markets and several pleasant terraces.
