DK Travel : Paris : St-Germain, Latin and Luxembourg Quarters

This area of the left bank is possibly the most stimulating in Paris. St-Germain-des-Prés, centred around the city’s oldest church, is a synonym for Paris’s café society, made famous by the writers and intellectuals who held court here in the first half of the 20th century. Although it’s more touristy today, a stroll around the back streets reveals lovely old houses plastered with plaques noting famous residents. The Latin Quarter takes its name from the Latin spoken by students of the Sorbonne until the Revolution. The scholastic centre of Paris for more than 700 years, it continues to buzz with student bookshops, cafés and jazz clubs. It was also the site of a Roman settlement and remains from that era can be seen in the Musée du Moyen-Age. The area’s western boundary is the bustling boulevard Saint-Michel and to the south is the tranquil greenery of the Luxembourg Quarter.

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Brasserie Lipp

Ernest Hemingway pays homage to this café in A Moveable Feast . It was also visited by Symbolist novelist André Gide.
Cacao et Chocolat

Rue de Buci and the streets around are home to some smart food shops, not least this chocolatier specializing in unusual flavours such as chilli pepper.
Café de Flore

Guillaume Apollinaire founded his literary magazine, Les Soirées de Paris , here in 1912.
Café Mabillon

The place that never closes. Hang out on the terrace with a few drinks and watch the world go by. Happy hour 7–9pm.
Carmes Market

A small market specializing in organic produce every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday morning. A good place to pick up olives, cheese, tomatoes and fruit.
Carton

For a sweet treat this patisserie provides great cakes, sharp lemon tarts, mouth-watering chocolate and strawberry creations.
Charcuterie Alsacienne

If you like strong tastes, try this shop which features produce from Alsace, including cold meats, cheese and wines.
Charcuterie Charles

This award-winning charcuterie shouldn’t be missed. Flavoured sausages and boudin blanc are specialities, and the cold meats are ideal for picnics.
Charcuterie Coesnon

Produce from Normandy is sold at this charcuterie – pâtés, ham, cheese and cider too.
Christian Constant

Christian Constant is arguably the best chocolatier in Paris and spends much of his time globetrotting in search of ever-more exotic flavours.