As early as the 17th century, the Encyclopedists (the "société des gens de lettres" behind the Dictionnaire raisonné des sciences, des arts et des métiers, edited by Diderot and D'Alembert) and future revolutionaries Marat, Danton and Guillotin met at the café Landelle, or Procope, which still exists today.
After the Second World War, Saint-Germain became the ultimate place for Parisian intellectual life, as well as a mecca for Parisian culture. Authors, actors, musicians and philosophers, notably Boris Vian, met in nightclubs (the style was bebop), bistros, cafés and the cellars of rue de Rennes, where philosophy mixed with American jazz. This was the neighborhood's heyday, the era of Jean-Paul Sartre and Simone de Beauvoir, as well as Juliette Gréco, Jean-Luc Gaudard and François Truffaut.
Today, artists still frequent Saint-Germain, enjoying the poetic ambience of the famous cafés Les Deux Magots and Café de Flore. There are also many delicious restaurants and trendy bars and pubs with a warm ambience. Thanks to its history and central location, it's one of the most popular and frequented districts in Paris.
Good addresses in Saint-Germain
Coffee
- Café de Flore - 172 Boulevard Saint-Germain, 75006 Paris
- Les Deux Magots - 6 place Saint-Germain-des-Prés, 75006 Paris
- Le Procope - 13 rue de l'Ancienne Comédie, 75006 Paris
Restaurants & brasseries
- La Tour d'Argent - 15 quai de la Tournelle, 75005 Paris
- Emporio Armani Caffé - 149, Boulevard Saint-Germain , 75006 Paris
- Relais de l'Entrecôte - 20, rue Saint-Benoît, 75006 Paris
- Lipp - 151 Boulevard Saint-Germain, 75006 Paris
- L'Alcazar - 62 Rue Mazarine, 75006 Paris
Bars & pubs
- Le Lup - 151 Boulevard Saint-Germain, 75006 Paris
- Le Cavern' - 21 rue Dauphine, 75006 Paris
- Le Dragon - 22 rue du Dragon, 75006 Paris
- HIDEOUT St-Germain - 32 rue Dauphine, 75006 Paris
Hotels
- Hôtel Saint-Vincent - 5 Rue Pré aux Clercs, 75007 Paris (on the edge of Saint-Germain). Luxurious, tastefully decorated hotel with warm, spacious rooms.
- Hôtel Lenox - 9 rue de l'université, 75007 Paris. Renovated in 2009, the Lenox is a truly charming hotel, offering rooms furnished in both classic and contemporary styles.
- Hôtel Saint-Thomas d'Aquin - 3 rue du Pré aux Clercs, 75007 Paris. This hotel offers guests a warm decor and peaceful atmosphere. Rooms are simple yet elegant.
- These three hotels are located next to each other as they belong to the same owner. I've ranked them from most to least expensive.
- Hôtel Pas de Calais - 59 rue des Saint Perès, 75006 Paris. A very romantic hotel, decorated in warm tones. The veranda, decorated in a "winter garden" style, is particularly pleasant.
- Hôtel Le Régent - 61 rue Dauphine, 75006 Paris. Le Régent is a very welcoming hotel, with quality service. The single rooms are a little small, but the superior deluxe rooms offer ample space and intimate decor.
- Hôtel Abbatial Saint-Germain - 46, boulevard Saint Germain, 75005 Paris. This hotel was recently redecorated, much to our delight! The rooms are warm and romantic, in warm tones of chocolate and gold.
- Hôtel Delavigne - 1, Rue Casimir Delavigne, 75006 Paris. A warm and welcoming hotel. Rooms are decorated in a contemporary style, with quality furnishings.
