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From visiting historic literary cafes, cozy wine bars, lush parks, and locally loved bistros, here are 15+ fun things to do in Saint Germain, Paris, to explore the best of this iconic neighborhood.
Saint Germain des Prés, like the Latin Quarter, is a neighborhood I’ve visited every time I’ve been in Paris, but I’ve rarely explored it.
Like most travelers, I always made a pit stop in the area to see the historic Café de Flore and Les Deux Magots, where the Lost Generation artists used to spend their days, and then I would move on with my Paris itinerary.
It took me until my last two-month stay in Paris to realize that there are many other things driving me to visit this neighborhood.
Besides its fame for being Hemingway’s old stomping grounds, in this upscale neighborhood, you can also find some of the best coffee shops in Paris, great shopping, and lots of amazing foodie spots.
So without further ado, let’s get started!
Fun Things to Do in Saint Germain, Paris
Sit down for apéro at Le Balto Bistro
One of the top things I always wanted to do in Paris is to simply sit outside on a tiny table with those cute French bistro chairs, sipping on a glass of wine, watching the world go by.
However, I’ve always felt anxious about ending up at a tourist trap spot, with bad food, wine, and service, and that’s why I was so happy to come across Le Balto in Saint Germain des Prés.
This unassuming corner bistro was packed with locals one night when we were walking past, so I made a point to come back with friends. After my first visit, I was hooked.
The place is clearly locally-loved, the menu is very reasonably priced—cheaper than many other touristy areas—and also cheap for Saint Germain des Prés.
The food is really good, Le Balto’s onion soup is my favorite one in the city—and I tried many. Other menu favorites are the tasty burgers, classic croque monsieur, and their generous and delicious €9 champagne glass.
So grab a table outside, a glass of bubbles, and maybe a cute croque apéro to share, as you see the Parisians go about their day.
Try a classic crepe at Creperie Little Breizh
While in Paris, you have to try some crepes, and if you have already tried my beloved Cafe Breizh—I mention it in almost every article, including where to eat in Paris on a budget guide—then another great option to try is Creperie Little Breizh in Saint Germain des Prés.
This cute little crepe spot feels different from the upscale neighborhood, with a cozy raw stone wall interior and exposed wood beams; it feels like traveling to a smaller French town.
The tables are so close together to each other, it’s so quintessentially French. However, the service is warm and friendly, and the crepes are simple, straight to the point, and delicious!
We had the ham and cheese with an egg, and the salmon one, and really enjoyed them. They are quite simple, but good, and the portion is generous.
Spend an evening at La Grande Crèmerie sipping natural French wines
One of the most fun things to do in Saint Germain, Paris, is trying different wines at La Grande Crèmerie, a cozy wine bar in the neighborhood.
This Parisian wine bar specializes in French natural wine, and while I don’t know much about natural wine, I still really enjoyed the few that I tried.
With its old-school blue-painted facade, this charming wine bar with exposed stone interior becomes alive at night, with locals pouring in to catch up with friends over a glass of rosé.
I visited with girl friends, and we all ordered a different type of wine to do our own tasting, and honestly, they were all great. I particularly loved the rosé.
We only had drinks, but their food menu looks amazing, with cold cut boards to share, creamy stracciatella di bufala, steak tartare, ricotta and spinach ravioli, and more.
Basically, everything you could want for a perfect evening spent at a cozy French wine bar.
Fuel up with the perfect cup of coffee at Café du Clown
One of the best things to do in St Germain, Paris, for coffee lovers is to visit Café du Clown at the small but charming Marché Alimentaire St Germain.
Café du Clown is a snug coffee shop stand in the food market, accessible both from outside and inside the market.
The coffee here is delicious and has been prepared to perfection every time that I have visited, which is a few.
Beware, though, that they do not do decaf; in fact, all their drinks are double shots(!). So you will be refueled.
As mentioned, the place is tight, so it’s not an ideal coffee shop to have in mind if you are trying to escape a rainy day in Paris, but it’s the perfect pit stop for a coffee to go while exploring Saint Germain des Prés.
Shop the many beautiful Parisian brands
One of the best things to do in Paris, once the tours are toured and the attractions have been seen, is to shop!
While in Paris, you must take advantage of all the incredible Parisian brands that are accessible here, and you can find many of them in Saint-Germain-des-Prés.
From local footwear brands like Bobbies, Jonak, and Carel, to chic apparel stores like Ba&sh, Maje, and Max Mara, among many others, there are so many chic shops to browse in this neighborhood.
So make sure to allocate some time during your trip to leisurely wander around the shops looking for the perfect Parisian additions to your wardrobe.
Browse the beautiful coffee table books at Taschen
If you’re looking for unique things to do in St Germain, Paris, then spending some time browsing Taschen bookshelves should be at the top of your list.
One of my favorite things to lust over while traveling is beautiful destination-specific coffee table books. I think it’s such a great way of having a very visual souvenir of your trip.
Since we live on the road and out of suitcases with a circus show, this is a terrible hobby to have… but not impossible. I bought this gorgeous The Monocle book of Japan while we were there.
However, if you have checked-in luggage and a place to actually call home, you have it easier than I, and in that case, you should definitely visit Taschen in Saint Germain des Prés to browse their extensive coffee table book collection.
From lots of Paris books, unique kitchen books, photography, arts, and music, there’s a coffee table book for any interest.
But of course, a Paris one would make the perfect trip souvenir… if your luggage space allows it.
Pick up your caffeine fix from Terres de Café Saint German
Another great coffee spot to visit while exploring the charming Saint Germain de Pres is Terres de Café.
Terres de Café is a French roaster and coffee shop with various locations throughout Paris.
The coffee is good. I think Café du Clown is better when it comes to preparation, but at Terres de Café, you can also buy some French roasted beans if you are a coffee lover looking for a souvenir.
Their snug location in the neighborhood doesn’t lend itself as a resting place with only a tiny standing bar, but it’s a good spot to pick up a coffee to go and continue shopping your way through the neighborhood.
Visit at least one of the literary spots: Café de Flore, Les Deux Magots, or Brasserie Lipp
One of the best things to do in St Germain, Paris, and one of the most obvious ones, is to visit at least one of the literary cafes, although they are quite overpriced.
I also fully understand just wanting to admire them from the outside.
This is exactly what I did the first four times I visited Paris, but I recently took the plunge and splurged on a little outdoor table at Café de Flore, since it is something that has been on my Paris bucket list since forever.
And I will say that I was actually not disappointed.
While on the pricier side of things, everything we ordered was delicious. The service was friendly and efficient, and just sitting outside on a beautiful sunny winter day at the same café that so many artists have done before was very special.
We ordered the hot chocolate with whipped cream, a black coffee, and a ham and cheese omelet—which was amazing!
⭐️ Tip: Wait for sunset time, when the sun is only hitting the neighboring Les Deux Magots, and then you’ll find the normally overflowing terrace of Café de Flore almost empty.
Shop French skincare until you drop at Citypharma
One of the absolute best things to do in Saint Germain, Paris, is stop by Citypharma, with some time and a lot of patience, to shop the best French skincare deals you’ll ever see.
I say you need a lot of patience because the place is almost always packed with locals restocking on their essentials. Which I completely understand, the prices are unbeatable.
To paint you a picture, Citypharma in Saint Germain des Prés is a three-story French pharmacy with all the French (and some international) brands you could ever want. And the French ones tend to be significantly reduced.
My favorite face La Roche Posay sunscreen that I normally buy around Europe for €25, can be as cheap as €14 at Citypharma—that significantly reduced!
So make sure to stop by, grab a basket, and stock up on all the French goodies.
Some heavily discounted French brands to look for are Avène, La Roche Posay, Caudalie, Nuxe, and SVR.
While here, I normally stock up on La Roche Posay sunscreens, Nuxe body oil, and Caudalie hand creams for the ultimate French skin care pampering.
Try one of the best brunches in Paris at Eggs and Co.
While I adore Paris and can spend most of my mornings here at the closest boulangerie having a pain au chocolat and a cappuccino for breakfast, there comes a point where I need something more substantial.
I need brunch, and for that moment, Eggs and Co. is the perfect spot.
I first visited Eggs and Co. many years ago, and loved it! It’s easily one of the best brunch spots in Paris, serving simple and hearty brunch classics like Eggs Benedict, pancakes, omelets, and more.
Nothing too crazy, nor are they trying too hard like so many of the “brunch spots” opening up. Good old brunch in a cozy exposed wood-beam space. Perfection!
I always get the eggs Benedict, which come with potatoes and a side salad, and a cappuccino, which is also pretty good!
This is one of the best things to do in Saint Germain, Paris, if you’re looking to have an easy morning during your trip, enjoying some tasty brunch to fuel up for the day ahead.
Order the iconic steak frites at Le Relais de l’Entrecôte
An unmissable thing to do while in Paris is to try the iconic steak frites, one of my favorite dishes, and one of the best places to do so is at Le Relais de l’Entrecôte.
Luckily, there’s a Le Relais de l’Entrecôte location in Saint Germain des Prés, just around the corner from Café de Flore.
This iconic restaurant specializes in steak frites, so much so that there’s not really much of a menu.
You walk in, they seat you at a snug table—probably way too close to your neighbors—you’re brought a green salad with French vinaigrette and walnuts, and are asked how you’d like your steak cooked.
Once you’re done with the salad, they will bring the steak, cover it in green sauce, and serve a generous portion of fries on your plate. Once you’re done, the waiter will come around to serve you a second round.
The process is simple, the decision fatigue is non-existent, and the food is so good. Even the house red wine is tasty!
This is a mandatory stop during every Paris trip we take, and a place I always recommend to every friend and family visiting Paris for the first time, as I think it’s as legit as it is popular.
Be ready to wait in line for a while, though. Your best option to find shorter lines is to visit during lunch hours instead of dinner.
Enjoy a sweet little something at Ladurée
I’ve always been a Ladurée fan, even before I had anything else to compare it to. And I can gladly say that even after comparing it to other macaron shops in Paris, it still comes on top.
And it does help that the branding is so cute and feels so exclusive—the perfect little luxury treat!
So to see for yourself, you have to visit the Ladurée location in Saint-Germain-des-Prés. Whether it is to splurge on a cute macaron box to keep as a souvenir, or you can always just get an individual macaron to try and see what all the fuss is about.
But be warned, you’ll probably want more than just one.
My favorite flavors from Ladurée are raspberry, salted caramel, and pistachio. They are all amazing!
Browse the floors of Le Bon Marché
If you’re in a shopping mood and want to explore local and international brands, then you need to visit Le Bon Marché.
Le Bon Marché is an upscale 19th-century department store housing floors upon floors of designer apparel, beauty products, accessories, houseware items, and even a gourmet grocery store across the street.
The inside of the building is cute in its own right, so visiting just to admire the space is completely valid.
If you’re looking for a practical souvenir, one of my new favorite French brands, Polène, a high-quality, affordable leather bag brand, has a shop here.
It’s a new up-and-coming brand you might have seen online as the new Parisian girl brand, but there are so many other brands to explore here.
One of my favorite things to do when visiting Le Bon Marché is going across the street to La Grande Épicerie, their gourmet grocery store, where you can stock up on all kinds of French goodies, from cheese to wine, candies, and more.
I normally get a generous amount of salted caramel candies. I’m obsessed!
Shop your Parisian chic essentials at Sézane
One of the most fun things to do in Saint Germain, Paris, is to shop, and one of the best shops in the area is the popular Sézane, a French brand known for its chic pieces.
While you can find a small section of Sézane items inside Le Bon Marché, not far from there, you can also find a shop location offering a more extensive collection.
While I’ve seen so much social media commotion around this brand and their Parisian flair, it was nice to be in Paris for almost three months and see locals also wear lots of their pieces.
I saw quite a few of their bags and coats out in the wild.
This is definitely the shop to visit to find stylish basics that could fit in with your current wardrobe to add a Parisian touch. I have a few beautiful summery tops from here, and I love them!
Take a stroll through the beautiful Jardin du Luxembourg
One of the best things to do in Saint Germain, Paris, or close enough to it at least, is to visit the peaceful Jardin du Luxembourg on a nice sunny day.
While technically not in the neighborhood, the park is just a short walk away and a must-visit when looking for a place to slow down during your Paris trip.
On a nice summer day, make sure to grab some snacks from the closest grocery store or some macarons from the nearby Ladurée, take a seat at one of the many cute green chairs by the pond, and blend in with the locals.
Make sure to also visit the tucked-away Medici Fountain. I visited in winter, and while still cute, I can imagine that in the summer, this fountain looks gorgeous, surrounded by all the greenery.
Shop unique souvenirs at the whimsical Marin Montagut
One of my favorite recent discoveries in Paris is Marin Montagut, one of the most whimsical shops in the city.
Again, a little bit of a cheat with this one, but it’s right next to the Jardin du Luxembourg, so if you already made it all the way here, this one is an easy add-on.
This cute shop looks like an artist’s atelier turned gift shop. Here you’ll find so many unique items, such as beautiful notebooks, cute ceramics, artsy postcards, handcrafted home decor, and so much more, all made in Paris.
Visiting Marin Montagout is one of the best things to do in Saint Germain, Paris, if you’re looking for unique, handcrafted, made-in-Paris souvenirs for yourself or loved ones.
I got a friend a little ceramic bowl from here, and it was a hit!
Final thoughts on things to do in Saint Germain, Paris
I’m guilty of being one of those people who would only visit Saint Germain de Prés to tick Café de Flore off the list and then keep on moving.
And while the area is nowadays mostly famous for its literary cafes, there are so many other fun things to do in Saint Germain, Paris, that tourists tend to skip.
From visiting the iconic Relais de l’Entrecote to strolling through the lush Jardin du Luxembourg, stocking up on French skincare and sipping wine in a cozy wine bar, there’s so much more that this historic neighborhood has to offer for every type of traveler.
So much so that it is quite easy to spend a whole day leisurely strolling the neighborhood, eating, shopping, and browsing your way around.
I hope this guide to 15+ fun things to do in Saint Germain, Paris, gives you some inspiration for all the different things you can do in this charming section of the city.
Which one of these activities is at the top of your list? Let us know in the comments.