Saint-Germain-des-Prés, a Self-Guided Paris Walk
2h. 1.4 miles. From Église Saint-Germain-des-Prés to Jardin du Luxembourg.
The old literary heart of the Left Bank: the cafes where Sartre and de Beauvoir argued, the oldest church in Paris, art galleries, chocolate shops, and the city's most beloved garden at the end.
The local move
Have your coffee standing at the bar inside, not seated on the famous terrace. Same cafe, a third of the price, and it's how locals actually drink it.
Best time to go
Late morning into afternoon, ending at the Luxembourg garden for golden hour.
The stops
Église Saint-Germain-des-Prés
The oldest church in Paris, a Romanesque abbey with a thousand-year-old bell tower.
Tip: Step inside for the painted vaults and the calm. Free, and rarely crowded.
Les Deux Magots
The literary cafe of Sartre, Hemingway and Picasso, on the church square.
Tip: For the history, not the food. A coffee at the bar lets you soak it in without the tourist markup.
Café de Flore
The rival literary cafe next door, still a genuine Paris institution.
Tip: The hot chocolate is the thing to order here, thick and served in a jug. Worth the splurge once.
Rue de Buci
A lively market street of cafes, flower stalls and food shops just off the boulevard.
Tip: Great for a stroll and a snack. The morning market bustle is the best time.
Cour du Commerce Saint-André
A cobbled 18th-century passage with the oldest cafe in Paris, Le Procope, tucked along it.
Tip: A hidden shortcut most people walk past. Look for the Revolution-era plaques on the walls.
Marché Saint-Germain
A covered market hall, now a mix of food stalls and shops, on the site of a medieval fair.
Tip: A handy covered stop for a quick bite if the weather turns.
Jardin du Luxembourg
The most loved garden in Paris: the palace, the fountain, the toy sailboats on the central pond.
Tip: Rent a toy boat for the pond if you have kids, or just grab a green metal chair by the water and sit. It's free and it's the point.
About these walks
This is one of the free self-guided Paris walks written by the Chic Trip team, locals who plan and book full Paris trips for American travelers. Get our free insider Paris guide at chic-trip.com/free-paris-guide, or have us plan your whole trip at chic-trip.com/paris-travel-planner.
