6th arrondissement of Paris: What to see, do, and eat

The 6eme arrondissement in Paris has long been one of the most coveted neighborhoods in Paris. With its large luxurious apartments right in the heart of the Left Bank, it is the one that has always attracted the rich and famous.

There are not many museums in this arrondissement, but are actually quite a few hidden and not-so-hidden gems in this area to go exploring, dining, and nightlife.

What to see: Top Attractions

Jardin du Luxembourg

Jardin du Luxembourg in the heart of the 6th arrondissement is what the locals call the “backyard” of central Parisians.

This grand garden in the Left bank has ambling boulevards of trees and relaxing lounge chairs to enjoy, while your little ones watch toy sailboats.

All over the garden are various statues of the Queens of France, as well as the Statue of Liberty herself. There is also a playground for children and pony rides in the area. A lovely oasis from the hustle and bustle of Paris.

Église Saint-Sulpice

Church of Saint Sulpice is these days most famous for being featured in the Dan Brown novel Da Vinci Code.

But this historic church is one of the oldest in Paris, just slightly younger and smaller than Notre Dame de Paris. The current building dates back to the 17th century, having been built on top of an older church dating back to the 14th century.

It has long been the church where famous locals were baptised (like the writer Marquis de Sade), married (like Victor Hugo), or buried like the granddaughters of Sun King Louis XIV.

With a stunning alter, impressive organ, and beautiful stain glass windows, the church is well worth a visit. Entry to the church is free.

Les Deux Magots and Cafe de Flore

Near the exclusive quartier de Odeon and the most expensive part of Paris, are the two restaurants that have been synonymous with the 6th arrondissement.

Cafe de Flore is one of the oldest brasseries in Paris, becoming a popular hub popular hub for famous writers, philosophers and artists like Georges Bataille, Ernest Hemingway and Pablo Picasso.

Nearby, Les Deux Magots also gained fame for its famous habitués, including with Jean-Paul Sartre, Simone de Beauvoir, Albert Camus. Today, both are no longer intellectual hubs, but rather a tourist destination attracting visitors from around the world.

 Cour du Commerce Saint-André 

A tiny street in the middle of the 6th arrondissement, the Cour du Commerce Saint-André isn’t the easiest to find. But once you do, you will transport yourself to medieval Paris, with cobblestone streets and tiny shops that that look like they belongs in Harry Potter.

Musée Eugène Delacroix

With one of the most famous paintings in France, Liberty leading the way, Eugène Delacroix is renowned for his work. In the 1920s, in order to save the home of this great artist, his friends got together in the 1920s to turn it into a museum.

The Society of Friends of Eugène Delacroix included names like Henri Matisse, Paul Signac, Édouard Vuillard, and George Desvallières.

The Musée Delacroix became a national museum in the 1970s and was attached to the Louvre in 2004. Today it features many of his smaller works and sculptures.

Located in the luxurious 6th arrondissement, this lovely townhouse in the center of Paris is well worth visiting. You can book skip-the-line tickets here.

Shopping

St-Germain-des-Prés

If you want to enjoy a bit of shopping in Paris and then relax at one of Paris’s most famous restaurants like Café de Flore or Le Procope, you will want to head over to Saint-Germain-des-Prés.

Located in the 6th and 7th arrondissement, this is Paris at its chicest. Around Boulevard Saint-Germain, Rue Jacob, Rue de Grenelle and Sèvre Babylone, there are plenty of boutiques that are likely to catch your eye.

Designers like Giorgio Armani, Sonia Rykiel, Christian Dior, and Ralph Lauren have opened boutiques in this shopping district. There are also French classics like Aigle and Mes Desmoiselles.

From the intersection of Rue du Bac and Boulevard Raspail, you can follow Boulevard Raspail down to Rue de Rennes to find plenty of small stores with products for the home.

In addition, be sure to make a stop at one of the artisan patisseries in the area like Pâtisserie Michalak or La Tarte Tropézienne, to recharge your forces with a bit of sugar.

Marché couvert Saint-Germain

And if you are looking for a farmers’ market in the 6th, head over to the Marché couvert Saint-Germain at the corner of Rue Lobineau and Rue Félibien.

If you are a gourmand, this food market will be right up your alley. The market is open everyday up to 6pm, except for Sundays when it is only open up to 1pm.

Where to eat: Restaurants, Brasseries, and Bistros

There are plenty of famous chefs and restaurants to choose from in the 6th arrondissement, so bring your wallet. Some local favorites are:

• Guy Savoy – by the famed French chef at 11, quai de Conti, 75006 Paris
• Lapérouse – upscale gastronomy at 51 Quai des Grands Augustins, 75006 Paris
• Hélène Darroze – Michelin starred chef at 4 Rue d’Assas, 75006 Paris
• Les Deux Magots – 6 Place Saint-Germain des Prés, 75006 Paris
• Café de Flore – 172 Bd Saint-Germain, 75006 Paris

You can find more ideas and ways of spending an evening in Paris here.

Bars and Nightlife

There are a handful of bars and clubs around the 6th, especially in the area closer to the River Seine. Some local favorites are:

• 43 Cocktail Bar – rooftop bar only in summer, on top of Holiday Inn Paris Notre-Dame at 4 Rue Danton, 75006 Paris
• Le Pousse Au Crime – bar and club at 15 Rue Guisarde, 75006 Paris
• Caveau des Légendes – jazz club and theatre hall at 22 Rue Jacob, 75006, Paris
• Castor Club – snug bar at 14 Rue Hautefeuille, 75006 Paris

You can find more bars and nightlife options around Paris here.

Where to stay: Hotels and other accommodation

With the Latin quarter on one side and the Eiffel tower and Musée d’Orsay on the other, the 6eme arrondissement is a wonderful area to stay in Paris. Some recommended hotels in the area are:

• €€€ – Hotel Le Petit Chomel
• €€€€ – Hotel Le Littré
• €€€€€ – Hôtel D’Aubusson (with swimming pool)

You can find more accommodation options for the 6th arrondissement here.