Saint-Germain-des-Prés is one of Paris' most popular neighbourhoods - and you notice it immediately in places like Rue de Buci. A street full of classic French terraces with wicker chairs, chalkboards with plat du jour and hurried waiters in white shirts. Cosy? Absolutely. Of course, you want to sample this atmosphere, because this part of Paris tastes good. But it is also very crowded, so be warned! With this itinerary you will discover the sixth arrondissement in peace and quiet, full of cool green addresses and beautiful streets you would otherwise just walk past. Come, Sas takes you there!
Tips for a day out in Paris in the sixth arrondissement
Saint-Germain-des-Prés is the beating heart of Paris. Its atmospheric streets, stately buildings and Insta-worthy Parisian terraces attract hordes of tourists every day. Everyone seems to come here to catch a glimpse of the real, old Paris. But how authentic is it still when you have to queue at Les Deux Magots, Café de Flore or Brasserie Lipp - iconic cafés that were once the domain of writers like Sartre, Beauvoir and Hemingway - which are now swamped because just about every travel blog tips them. Is it worth the wait for a cup of coffee under an awning full of TikTokkers? I wonder. Because there is so much more to see in this neighbourhood. Quieter, more authentic, greener. I'll take you there!
Travel route for Saint-Germain-des-Prés (6e district)
Fancy discovering Saint-Germain-des-Prés in a new way? Forget the Tiktok queues and follow this green walking route full of atmospheric streets, local gems and tasty stops. Tip: Start early, around 10:00 am, we started our walk! Not just to get ahead of the crowds, but also because you really have to be on time for some treats.
Stop 1: croissant o'clock at Poilâne
Start your day at Poilâne, a wonderful authentic bakery on Rue du Cherche-Midi. Here you score - according to many - the tastiest croissant in Paris. They make these with their own sourdough dough. Poilâne has been a family business since 1932 and is now run by the third generation, granddaughter Apollonia. Everything here is still made by hand, from kneading to baking - only the mixing machine is electric. And you can taste that. But beware: come early, because after noon the croissants are often sold out. Don't worry if you're late - the rest of the range is mouth-watering too.
Tip: navigate your croissant and coffee to Square Boucicaut, a beautiful park to enjoy the goodies you bought in peace. You'll also be pretty close to the second stop. Coming!
Stop 2: French temptation at La Grande Épicerie de Paris
From the bakery you walk straight to La Grande Épicerie de Paris, on Rue de Sèvres. This gigantic department store is a walhalla for foodies. No ordinary supermarket, but a paradise full of top-quality French products. Think local jams, organic honey, chocolate in beautiful packaging, French biscuits and wines that make you want to go on a picnic right away. Stock up on gifts for home - or just for yourself - to enjoy the Parisian feeling at home for a long time to come.
Left: Rue de L'Odéon in Saint-Germain-des-Prés with beautiful old bookshops. Middle: Square Boucicaut where you can look around with your croissant. And in Paris, it is very nice to cycle. The distances are quite considerable and cycling is very easy. You can hire these via a Velib subscription (three-day card).
Stop 3: on to the heart of Saint-Germain-des-Prés: Rue de Buci and surroundings
Time to really explore the heart of Saint-Germain. We navigate towards Rue de Buci. You know, the tourist part. You want to have seen this place. With its red awnings, chalkboards and rows of bistro chairs, it looks like a classic Parisian film set. Take a short walk through the neighbourhood, look around and soak up the atmosphere. Then wander the surrounding streets. Tip: Also be sure to take a stroll through the picturesque Cour du Commerce Saint-André, which will be busy later in the evening but is picture-perfect early in the day. And the little streets around Rue de Buci are also worthwhile, such as Rue Jacob, Passage Dauphine, Rue Mazarine, Rue de Seine and Place Fürstenburg. At the last tip, you immediately run into a wonderful place for lunch, ice cream or a cup of coffee: Guenmai - a picture and vegetarian.
Even if you don't necessarily have a thing for churches, the Saint-Sulpice Church still a tip during your walk. This church is beautiful and served as a backdrop in the film The Da Vinci Code. Nice advantage: it is wonderfully quiet, you can walk straight in, unlike the long queues at Notre-Dame. If you like churches, you should definitely stop by Paris' oldest church: Saint-Germain-des-Prés Church.
Stop 4: Have lunch at award-winning bakery and relax in Jardin du Luxembourg
Did all that browsing make you hungry? Then navigate to boulangerie La Parisienne on Rue Madame for an award-winning baguette. This bakery won the award for the best baguette in Paris in 2016 and again in 2025. And with that, they not only received eternal fame, but also the honour of delivering bread to the Élysée Palace, the official residence of the French president (located in the 8e).
With your lunch in hand, walk to the nearby Jardin du Luxembourg, voted the most beautiful park in Europe. So of course you want to see it with your own eyes! The park was commissioned by Queen Marie de’ Medici in the 17th century and still exudes royal allure. Here you can eat your lunch in a relaxed manner, as the park is full of trees, flower beds, fountains - and there are garden chairs everywhere that you can just drag to your favourite spot. The weather not so good anyway? No worries. Near La Parisienne and Jardin du Luxembourg are also plenty of nice lunches and bistros.
Europe's most beautiful park can also be found in Paris, in Saint Germain! So definitely go here. With nice weather, you can chill out here.
Stop 5: the Museum of Medicine
Had enough of the crowds for a while? Then this is a real winner: the Musée d'Histoire de la Médecine is a hidden gem in the middle of Saint-Germain-des-Prés. You will find it on the second floor of an old university building from the 18th century, once built for the royal school of surgeons. Just the way there - through silent corridors and stairs - is a discovery in itself. Inside, you enter a beautiful hall full of original wooden details and tall showcases. The collection shows you the history of medicine: from early surgical techniques to medical equipment. Special and a little creepy, but definitely worth a visit.
Practical: entrance is €3.50 for adults, €2.50 for students and free for children under 12. Open on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 14:00 to 17:30 excluding holidays. So check before you go!
A hidden gem among the crowds is the Medicine Museum. Pop in and discover it for yourself. It is a small museum that you can get through in half an hour. Really interesting!
Stop 6: literary wandering around Place de l'Odéon
After your visit to the museum, it is great to wander around the neighbourhood of Place de l'Odéon. This charming, semi-circular square is surrounded by classic Parisian buildings and cosy cafés. One of the most atmospheric streets here is Rue de l'Odéon, known for its literary history. In the 1920s, it was home to famous bookshops like Shakespeare and Company and La Maison des Amis des Livres, where writers like James Joyce and Ernest Hemingway met. Today, you can still find unusual bookshops here, such as Librairie Rieffel, specialising in rare and vintage books. There are also several antique shops and boutiques worth exploring. Take your time to leisurely look around and soak up the unique atmosphere of these historic streets. And maybe it's time for a drink, in which case this is the place to be!
Bike ride to the seventh arrondissement
Still have time and energy to spare? Grab a Vélib rental bike and stairs towards the seventh arrondissement, right next to Saint-Germain-des-Prés. There is so much more to see there. Tip: if you don't have much time, are travelling with children or have no plans to visit these places inside: take a bike ride along the highlights of. That goes a lot smoother and cycling in Paris is surprisingly easy. Cycle past the Eiffel Tower, of course, but don't forget the other classics: Napoleon's tomb in Les Invalides, the magnificent Musée d'Orsay in an old train station and the elegant esplanade of Champ de Mars. This district - and all those iconic buildings - ooze grandeur. And just like that, you've spent some time cycling through it. An experience in itself! Fancy going that way? Look here for our tips in the seventh.
Stop 7 & 8: dinner at Ekinox and a cocktail at Grouvie
A great restaurant tip in the sixth of Paris: complete your day in Saint-Germain-des-Prés with dinner at Ekinox. This is a sustainable restaurant in the heart of the district, but just down a lovely quiet street. The restaurant is tastefully decorated with lots of plants, the service is friendly with great attention to guests and the menu changes with the seasons. Everything is fresh, colourful and prepared with care. The pea soup and gnocchi were a ten out of ten. We had a lovely dinner here.
Still in the mood for a nightcap? Then walk to Grouvie, a hidden cocktail bar on the top floor of the popular Restaurant Des Prés. Yes, that restaurant from the opening scene of Emily in Paris. Chances are there will be a queue outside, but no worries: walk by quietly and tell them you are coming for the cocktail bar. Then you can just walk on up. An intimate bar awaits upstairs with good music, soft sofas and original cocktails. Enjoy!
Looking for a nice restaurant with a sustainable menu and good vegetarian options? In the heart of the sixth arrondissement, you'll find sustainable restaurant Ekinox. Hit it up!
Bonus: evening walk with a view
If you still have energy left after your day in Saint-Germain-des-Prés, take an evening stroll across Pont Neuf - the oldest bridge in Paris and perhaps the most beautiful. Here you'll look out over both banks of the Seine, with the city slowly lighting up and coming to life. In the distance, you can see the Eiffel Tower sparkling. Every hour after sunset, until 1am (sometimes until 2am, depending on the season and weather), the lights twinkle for five minutes - thanks to no less than twenty thousand Philips lights. So stay put for a while. From Saint-Germain, cross the Seine and make a quick stop at Île de la Cité to take a closer look at Notre-Dame. Are you there before 10pm? Then you might even be able to walk right in, with no queues. Then continue walking across the bridge towards the first arrondissement. The Louvre's garden there awaits you beautifully lit - an enchanting place to walk through at night. Strolling along the Seine is also lovely. French people sit on the quays with a glass of wine. In short, an evening stroll as you only experience it in Paris.
Saint-Germain-des-Prés tip: take a nice evening stroll by crossing Pont Neuf and/or have a cocktail at Grouvie (Commerce Saint-André 6).
Paring tips for a day in Saint-Germain-des-Prés
Hopefully you now have a nice route - or rather a greener one itinerary - for a day in Paris' sixth arrondissement. Paris is amazing, but also SO big that it can sometimes be hard to find your way around. Not with this article bookmarked in your phone. Do you have a great tip in Saint-Germain-des-Prés yourself? Be sure to let us know - we love to share our readers' best discoveries!
More Parry tips:
- See also the itinerary for the nearby seventh arrondissement.
- See also The itinerary for cosy Oberkampf.
- See also The itinerary for popular Le Marais.
Photo credits: thegreenlist.nl.
