Saint Germain des Pres

Saint Germain des Pres is the cradle of the Parisian elite, who used to linger in the cafes around the church. Originally built as an abbey, it is today the oldest one with its square romanesque tower dating back to 1000. Used as a necropolis by merovingians kings, the interior is wonderfully colourful and decorated. The Existentialist and Surrealist groups used to sit down at the Cafe de Flore and les Deux Magots nearby. Picasso, Jean-Paul Sartre and Simone de Beauvoir were among their customers. I will accompany you around the neighborhood, to see the oldest cafe shop linked with the French Revolution : the Procope.

A guided tour of the highlights of Saint Germain is available as well as a tour about famous women of the quarter.

For more information click on the pictures below.

luxembourg garden with the senate in the background and flowers in the foreground

Information

Walking tour for approximately 2 hours.

café les deux magots saint germain des pres

Highlights

Take a tour of the highlights of Saint Germain des Pres, including the visit of the church and its surroundings, with the Luxembourg garden.

geroge sand french writer

Women of Saint Germain des Pres

Numerous women spent some time or lived in this district, such as George Sand, Simone de Beauvoir, Juliette Greco, Olympe de Gouges, Sylvia Beach.

My favorite walking tours

Join me on one of my favourite walking tours around the Marais quarter and its amazing old mansions. The Place des Vosges is undoubtedly the most magnificent square of Paris to me.

The covered passages of Paris with its old fashioned shops and architecture dating back to the 19th century show reminiscence of French writers like Maupassant, Proust or Colette.