Discovering the Saint-Germain-des-Prés neighborhood

The Saint Germain des Prés district takes its name from the Saint-Vincent Abbey founded by the son of Clovis, the 1st king of France. In the 19th century, Saint Germain des Prés quickly became the district of reference for art and culture, where the great writers of the time met, such as Racine, Balzac and the painters Delacroix and Manet. Later, jazz and theater arrived and took root in the neighborhood, notably with the arrival of artists such as Picasso and singers Charles Aznavour and Léo Ferré. That's why today the Saint Germain des Prés district of Paris is a reference point on the Left Bank, for Parisian jazz clubs. In the 1960s, it was the fashion and luxury worlds that decided to make their mark on this renowned district. Today, luxury brands such as Yves Saint Laurent, Louis Vuitton and Dior compete to own a boutique in the chic Saint Germain des Prés district. Our hotel is also in the center of the Montparnasse district and very close to the Montparnasse train station.

The “Luxembourg” garden

Located on the border between the Saint Germain des Prés district and the Latin Quarter, the Jardin du Luxembourg, home to the French Senate, is a place with a unique atmosphere, where water laps at the leaves of the chestnut trees, children marvel at the idea of their miniature boat floating on the water and the calm of the Fontaine Médicis reigns. As you stroll through the garden, you'll discover numerous artistic sculptures and statues of historical figures, giving the park a cultural touch. The statue of Queen Marie de Médicis in the center of the garden is particularly emblematic. The Luxembourg Gardens regularly host outdoor art exhibitions, concerts, cultural events and seasonal activities, meaning there's always something new to discover during your visit. The 25-hectare Luxembourg Gardens offer a wide range of activities for children: puppets, merry-go-rounds, slides... It's an ideal place to spend quality time with the family, take a romantic stroll (especially on Valentine's Day) and enjoy the beautiful St Germain des Prés district.

“Pont des Arts”

In 1804, the Pont des Arts was built to link the Institut de France and the Palais du Louvre. Its name comes from the Palais des Arts, the name given to the Louvre museum during the Second Empire. Located in the St Germain des Prés district, just a few minutes' walk from our hotel, the bridge crosses the Seine and offers a fantastic view of the Pont neuf and the Ile de la Cité.

Between 2008 and 2014, it became a symbol of love. Tourists hung padlocks from the bridge's grilled railings to symbolize their love. Now a tradition in the St Germain des Prés district, the padlocks had to be removed due to their excessive weight.

St Louis Island

Do you know one of the most beautiful places in the world, well, in Paris? Île Saint-Louis is a small island on the Seine River, right in the heart of Paris, close to the St Germain des Prés district. A historic residential island, it is home to a number of stores and businesses with admirable facades overlooking the Seine. To admire this beautiful architecture, the easiest way is to stroll along rue Saint-Louis-en-l'Ile, as well as quai de Béthune. Alternatively, you can climb aboard a barge to see the island from the water!

Brasserie Les 2 Magots

In the heart of the 6th arrondissement, in the Saint Germain des Prés district, Brasserie Les 2 Magots offers traditional French cuisine in a bright, picturesque setting. The legendary brasserie has been closing at 1 a.m. since 1885, and takes advantage of the charm and atmosphere of the St Germain des Prés district to offer you good food to eat in or take away.

Brasserie Lipp

In the heart of the Saint-Germain des Prés district, Brasserie Lipp offers French

homemade dishes in a charming French setting. The brasserie is open until late at night. Enjoy the unforgettable atmosphere of the St Germain des Prés district in Paris's 6th arrondissement.

Le Pré aux Clercs

A visit to Le Pré aux Clercs is a must! The restaurant's extensive menu caters for all tastes: cocotte egg with salmon and dill, Auvergne pâté, Caesar salad, fillet of sea bream with yuzu lemon sauce, duck breast with pepper, roast chicken... Service is non-stop from midday to 11.15pm. Plan to return to the hotel by strolling through the city, without taking the metro. The atmosphere of Paris and the St Germain des Prés district becomes magical.

Bistrot Au Coup de Torchon

The bistrot Au coup de Torchon prides itself on family-style, home-cooked cuisine, simmered with seasonal market produce. Located in the St Germain des Prés district, 16 minutes from the Hôtel Le Littré, a stop at the bistro is highly recommended! On the premises or to take away, Au coup de Torchon is the ideal place to enjoy a succulent Saint-Jacques flambé with Cointreau or a delicious traditional crème brûlée. Take a tour of the bistro, you won't be disappointed.

Le Procope

Le Procope is the oldest restaurant in Paris! Built in 1686, the restaurant is a place steeped in history, where the greatest writers and intellectuals such as Diderot and Rousseau gathered. Today, it offers traditional, bourgeois French cuisine, with specialties such as creamy parsnip with duck foie gras, Norand beef tartare, homemade mille-feuille and traditional Procopio-style Tiramisù. We're sure you'll be convinced by our dishes!

Le café de Flore

The historic Café de Flore, a favorite with celebrities, is located at 172 boulevard Saint-Germain, in the St Germain des Prés district of Paris's 6th arrondissement. It offers traditional French cuisine in a picturesque setting, where you'll find a fresh Caesar salad, a succulent tarte tatin or the emblematic Flore chocolate.

Le Bon Marché

The Saint-Germain des Prés district is the essence of Parisian shopping and luxury boutiques... In the image of a centuries-old Paris where everything moves, changes and is invented, Le Bon Marché is an absolute benchmark of French refinement for fashion, furniture and its famous "Grande Epicerie". All the top brands and boutiques, including Kenzo, Sézane, Sandro, Alexander Mcqueen, Jimmy Choo, Chanel and Dior, are located at Le Bon Marché. It's worth noting that every year, as Christmas approaches, the windows of this splendid store give way to the most beautiful decorations, leaving no stroller indifferent.

The streets of the St Germain des Prés district : Sèvres Babylone

Around the Le Bon Marché department store, a stroll through the streets of the St Germain des Prés district is enough to make your shopping a success. The St Germain des Prés district is not only an area for art and culture, but also for shopping, where many brands such as Isabel Marant, Minelli and Lacoste are located.

Take a stroll just a few steps from Hôtel Le Littré, in this neighborhood of museums. There's no need to take the metro to discover the charming little streets.

Georges Sand's house

Art being the watchword of this district, you'll be able to stroll to 31 Rue de Seine, where you'll be able to spot the approval plaque designating the House of George Sand, the famous French novelist, memoirist and committed journalist. Although George Sand had a particular love of the city of Paris, her attachment to country life and the town of Nohant never waned. Today, the Musée de la Vie Romantique devotes an entire floor to her, displaying a multitude of treasures that revolve around her work or belonged to her.