Your 6th Arrondissement of Paris Guide

The 6th arrondissement of Paris also known as St Germain des Prés (and Arrondissement du Luxembourg) is one of my favorite arrondissements! This neighborhood is on the Rive Gauche side of the River Seine. It has so many great restaurants, shops, and corners to explore, I could spend days in this neighborhood all by itself, never visiting anything else! Looks like Eileen Cho, Korean American photographer, and journalist based in Paris feels the same!

Let's Discover Eileen's 6th Arrondissement.

[1] Favorite thing you like about the 6th Arrondissement of Paris.
I LOVE that it's so central and safe! There are also so many places to eat and shop. I adore Saint Germain des Près, where all the amazing creatives and philosophers (Dali, Hemingway, etc) hung out in the 20s so there's a ton of history too.

At night, I love to stroll by the Seine River. Being in the Latin Quarter and on the left bank (Rive Gauche) is pretty sweet.

[2] Your least favorite thing about the sixth arrondissement.
There are a lot of bars so it's super loud at night. Nothing against tourists but there are SO many, at ALL times in the 6eme!

[3] What differentiates your neighborhood from all the other parts of the city?
I honestly can't live anywhere else after living in the 6eme. There's always something to do. We also have a ton of tourist attractions (not tourist traps!!) and a whole street dedicated to galleries. But most importantly, as mentioned above, we have Saint Germain which is magic!

[4] Favorite coffee spot in your neighborhood.
I have two! The Boot and Shakespeare and Company Cafe. I'm so glad that The Boot opened their second location in between Odeon and Saint Michel. I love their simple food menu and they brew some mean coffee!

Shakespeare and Company cafe is great to have since they offer food from Bob's Bake Shop! I love their bagels with cream cheese and avocado, their matcha chocolate chip cookies, and their amazing New York cheesecake.

[5] Favorite spot for drinks.
There's a speakeasy called Castor Club that's super intimate. Their cocktails are the best in the city! I love the banana split cocktail and the Turkish Delight cocktail. If I'm in the mood for wine, I go to L'avant Comptoir. They have TAPAS too!

[6] Favorite local hangout.
The Jardin du Luxembourg! In the spring, I like to have picnics in the park with my partner. When I'm bored, I'll come here and people-watch. I also love playing chess here in the summer with a good bottle of wine and a nice cheese plate. Am I French yet?

[7] Favorite breakfast spot.
Claus! They just opened their second location in Odeon next to the Marché St Germain. Everything is made in-house. This is also one of the hottest spots for brunch. Make those reservations way in advance!

[8] Favorite lunch spot.
Ippudo Ramen! How lucky am I to have a good Ramen joint in my hood? Their really famous in Japan and they make sure the Ramen is just as authentic here as it is in Tokyo. I also love their buns and wings. Afterward, I go to Popelini for some Chou crèmes! Delicious.

[9] Favorite dinner spot.
Relais de l'Entrecote! They have 3 locations in Paris but the one in the 6eme is best! They only have one thing on the menu–steak and fries. This is an absolute must-visit establishment if you find yourself in Paris. But be warned, they don't take reservations!

[10] One thing you always do/spot you always take friends from out of town to do/see.
Ahh, just ONE thing!? A visit to Shakespeare and Company, the famous bookstore!

Thanks Eileen!

Check out her beautiful portfolio on her website as well.

Here are other great spots in the 6th arrondissement that I have curated for you:

6eme Restaurants

• Allard (41 rue Saint-André des Arts) Alain Ducasse resto featuring dishes from Burgundy.
• Aloï (7 Rue des Ciseaux) Thai cuisine.
• Anima (78 rue du Cherche Midi) dishes from a wood-burning stove, yum.
• Assa Café (47, quais des Grands Augustins) Japanese comfort food.
• Atelier Vivanda (20 rue du Cherche-Midi) Michelin-starred steak and potatoes.
• Au Père Louis (38 Rue Monsieur le Prince) known for its French onion soup.
• Aux Prés (27 rue du Dragon) classic French bistro.
• Blend (4 Rue de l'Ancienne Comédie) fantastic burger with really good sweet potato fries.
• Brasserie Lipp (151 boulevard St-Germain) one of the most noted brasseries in Paris.
• Café Trama (83 rue du Cherche Midi) don't miss the croque-monsieur!
• Centre Vavin (18 Rue Vavin) known for its French onion soup.
• Chez Allard (41 Rue Saint-André des Arts) romantic bistro from Alain Ducasse.
• Colorova (47 Rue de l'Abbé Grégoire) delicious brunch, lunch and pastries.
• Eggs & Co. (11 rue Bernard Palissy) amazing breakfast!
• Émile & Jules (2 Rue Vavin) artisanal bakery creating bread with experimental wheat blends.
• Freddy’s (54 rue de Seine) small plates and great wine, perfect for dinner with friends.
• Fruttini by MO (24 Rue Saint-Placide) delectable fruit sherberts!
• Gelato del Marchese (3 Rue des Quatre Vents) gastronomical ice cream and gelato.
• Homer Lobster (15 Rue de l'Ancienne Comédie) Lobster Roll!
• Huîtrerie Régis (3 rue Montfaucon) oysters galore from the Marenne-Oleron region.
• Kodawari Ramen (29 rue Mazarine) delicious ramen bar.
• Josephine (117 rue du Cherche Midi) a Belle Epoque bistro, don't miss the Beouf Bourguignon.
• L’Alcazar (62, rue Mazarine) creative local dishes, desserts, and unique cocktails.
• La Bastide Odéon (7, rue Corneille) focused on dishes from Provence.
• La Cantine du Troquet (101 rue de l’Ouest) bistro with southwestern French cuisine.
• La Cuisine de Philippe (25 Rue Servandoni) start and end your 3-course meal with an amazing soufflé!
• La Maison du Mochi (39 Rue du Cherche-Midi) mochi, enough said.
• La Palette (43 Rue de Seine) casual restaurant serving brunch and cocktails.
• La Terrasse de Madame (Jardins du Luxembourg) a quaint little bistro inside the garden.
• Le Bonaparte (42 Rue Bonaparte) cozy bar-restaurant.
• Le Cherche-Midi (22 rue du Cherche-Midi) delicious Italian.
• Le Comptoir (9 Carrefour de l’Odéon) fabulous slow-roasted meats.
• Le Méchoui du Prince (36 Rue Monsieur le Prince) amazing couscous.
• Le Procope (13 rue de l'Ancienne-Comédie) French philosophers and politicians used to meet here to debate.
• La Rotonde (105 boulevard du Montparnasse) great brasserie, again great French onion soup.
• Le Relais de l’Entrecôte (20 rue Saint-Benoît) best spot for the steak in St.-Germain.
• Little Breizh (11 rue Gregoire de Tours) crepes!
• Maison Christine Champault (5 Rue de Montfaucon) preservative-free ice cream and yogurts.
• MamiBaba au Quinsou (33 Rue de l’Abbé Grégoire) a pop-up store celebrating Korean street food.
• Mamie Gateaux (66 rue du Cherche-Midi) great lunch spot with daily quiches.
• Marsan by Hélène Darroze (4 Rue d'Assass) creative fine dining.
• Paradis Marguerite (29 quai des Grands Augustins) contemporary vegetarian.
• Poilâne (8 rue du Cherche-Midi) bakery with amazing country bread, cookies, and apple tarts.
• Ralph's (173 boulevard Saint-Germain) best veggie burger in Paris.
• Raw Saint Germain (44 rue de Fleurus) Basque country pintxos.
• Quinsou (33 rue de l’Abbé Gregoire) minimalist menu, but the choices are superb.
• Roger la Grenouille (28 Rue des Grands Augustins) excellent steak tartare.
• Sadaharu Aoki (35 Rue de Vaugirard) classic French pastry with a Japanese touch.
• Sauvage (55 rue du Cherche Midi) seasonal dishes and tapas with natural wine.
• Semilla (54 rue de Seine) bistro with very seasonal dishes, vegetarian-friendly.
• Simple (86 rue du Cherche Midi) delicious healthy food that accommodates every dietary need.
• Steam Bar (2 Rue du Sabot) Traditional dim-sum restaurant with Hongkongese influences.
• Treize au Jardin (5 Rue de Médicis) an adorable cafe with friendly staff along the Luxembourg garden.

6eme Coffee Shops & Tea Salons

• Café de Flore (172 boulevard St-Germain) a Parisian institution probably the 2nd most famous cafe in Paris.
• Café Malongo (50, rue Saint-André des Arts) cafe associated with this store-bought coffee brand.
• Garden Tearoom, Hotel des Marronniers (21 Rue Jacob) an intimate tea room lounge.
• La Closerie des Lilas (171 Boulevard du Montparnasse) a classic brasserie serving wines and oysters, once a favorite of Ernest Hemingway.
• Les Deux Magots (6 Place Saint-Germain des Prés) one of the most famous cafes in all of Paris, full of history!
• Le Bizuth (202 Boulevard Saint Germain) little cafe, serves cheese plates too.
• Mademoiselle Angelina (19 Rue de Vaugirard) trendy teahouse in the Luxembourg Garden.
• Maison de Thé Lupicia (40 rue Bonaparte) great spot for tea.
• Pierre Hermé (171 Bd du Montparnasse) go for the Ispahan croissant, the Infiniment Vanille shortbread tarte, and the macarons.

6eme Bars

• Chez Georges (1 Rue du Mai) cave-like wine bar.
• L’Avant Comptoir (3 Carrefour de l'Odéon) tapas-style French bar.
• La Robe & La Mousse (3 Rue Monsieur le Prince) French special spirits, wines and beers.
• Le Café Alain Ducasse (47 rue du Cherche-Midi) the Michelin-starred chef does coffee, including cold press.
• Prescription Cocktail Club (23 Rue Mazarine) great cocktails ask about their signature rouge George.
• Tiger (13 Rue Princesse) first gin bar of Paris with seasonal and fun gin cocktails.

6eme Parks, Museums & Things to Do

• Institut de France (23 Quai de Conti) an academic (actually 5) institute that can only be visited during the European Heritage Days in September
• Jardin du Luxembourg (entrance Rue de Médicis – Rue de Vaugirard) gorgeous park created by Queen Marie de Medici in 1612.
• It also includes the Luxembourg Palace where you will find the French Senate
• Marie De Médicis Fountain (Rue de Médicis in the Luxembourg Garden) Italian Renaissance, impressive carved fountain, and surrounding statues.
• Musée d’histoire de la médecine (12 Rue de l'École de Médecine) a quaint museum featuring a vast collection of historical medical instruments.
• Musée du Luxembourg – temporarily closed
• Musée National du Moyen-Âge (6 Place Paul Painlevé) medieval collections. (Included in the Paris Museum Pass.)
• Musée Delacroix (6 Rue de Furstenberg) museum dedicated to the paintings of Eugène Delacroix. (Included in the Paris Museum Pass.)
• Musée de la Monnaie (11 Quai de Conti, Paris) if you are as fascinated by the history of money as I am, you'll love this place!
• Musée Zadkine (100 bis rue d’Assas) dedicated to the work of the sculptor of Russian origin Ossip Zadkine.
• Abbey of Saint-Germain-des-Prés (3 Place Saint-Germain des Prés) oldest church in Paris.
• Saint Sulpice Church (2 Rue Palatine) 2nd biggest church in Paris after Notre Dame and has a sundial that was featured in the Da Vinci Code book and film.
• Rue Férou, located in the heart of an arts district, great strolling street.

Museums in the 6th arrondissement included in the Paris Museum Pass: Musée National du Moyen-Âge, Musée Delacroix, Musée de la Monnaie.

6eme Shopping

• Buly 1803 (6 Rue Bonaparte) perfume shop modeled after a 19th-century apothecary.
• Cire Trudon (78 Rue de Seine) this candle store has been around since 1634!
• Des Petits Hauts (70 Rue Bonaparte) clothing boutique for women.
• Fromagerie Sanders (Marché Couvert Saint-Germain, 4 Rue Lobineau) Cheese shop.
• Gérard Mulot (76 Rue de Seine) some of the city's best macarons.
• Kilo Shop (125 boulevard Saint-Germain) vintage boutique.
• L’Artisan Parfumeur (167 Boulevard Saint-Germain) boutique perfume shop.
• La Ferme d’Alexandre (19 rue St Placide) Cheese shop.
• Marin Montagut (48, rue madame) defined as a “cabinet of curiosities” by its illustrator owner, an adorable shop!
• Patrick Roger (108 Boulevard Saint-Germain) chocolate is treated like art in this shop.
• Pharmacie Suprapharm (26 Rue du Four) fun beauty store.
• Red Wheelbarrow (9 Rue de Médicis) adorable bilingual bookstore.
• SOI PARIS (2, rue de Sèvres) boutique with travel-inspired prints.
• Uncouture (22 Rue de l'Echaudé) iconic made-to-measure women's clothing.

Paris 6th Arrondissement Lodging

• Relais Christine (3 Rue Christine) I had an amazing stay at the 49-room luxury hotel!
• Hotel and Spa La Belle Juliette (92 Rue du Cherche-Midi) stylish boutique hotel inspired by a Parisian beauty from the 19th century.
• Hotel d'Aubusson (33 rue Dauphine) 17th-century townhouse turned into a 49-room chich hotel.
• Hôtel Bel Ami (7-11 Rue St. Benoît) chic hotel with a modern aesthetic.
• Hôtel Dame des Arts (4 Rue Danton) new hotel opened in February 2023 with a cool rooftop bar.
• Esprit St.-Germain (22 Rue St.-Sulpice) amazing view of Saint-sulpice church!
• Hôtel Buci Latin (22 Rue de Buci) 24 boudoir-style room decorated a la Louis XV.
• Hôtel de l'Abbaye (10 Rue Cassette) converted 17th-century abbey.
• Hotel Lutetia (45 Boulevard Raspail) a stylish hotel close to Notre Dame with art deco-inspired rooms.
• Hôtel Luxembourg Parc (42 Rue de Vaugirard) hotel with rooms that feature views of the Luxembourg Gardens.
• Hôtel Récamier (3B Place Saint-Sulpice) a chic boutique hotel with B&B vibes.
• Hotel Relais Saint Germain (9 Carr de l'Odéon) plush, eclectic rooms decorated around renowned writers.
• L'Hôtel (13 rue des Beaux-Arts) a fabulous boutique hotel and the last home of Oscar Wilde.
• The 6eme also has a lot of FABULOUS apartments and homes that you can rent via VRBO and Airbnb.

How about you? Do you have any additions for this guide to the 6th arrondissement of Paris? Have you been to this area of Paris? Did you find this post helpful for a future trip?

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