Where to stay and what to see on the Left Bank of Paris, France

Yves Saint Laurent named the fragrance after him. Many songs have been written on this subject. Despite these ceremonial admissions, parts of Paris’ Left Bank remain an enigma to the hordes of tourists who flock to the Louvre, the Champs-Elysées, and the Place de la Opera.

Those who love Rive Gauche, as the Left Bank is called in French, hope it stays that way. Given that Paris will host the Summer Olympics next year, it would be wise to go there this year if the French capital is on your travel plans for the near future. Fortunately, almost all construction related to the Olympics takes place north of the city, leaving the Left Bank relatively unscathed.

Seasoned observers of French culture are familiar with the symbolic logo of the RATP metro representing the city of Paris as the feminine silhouette of a face drawn by the Seine. To the north and east of the river is the right bank with the palace hotels and the aforementioned ruins that are a must see, and yes there are definitely popular attractions on the other side of the motto which also draw crowds.on the left bank.

The Musée d’Orsay is one of the most impressive cultural institutions in the world, with the Musée du quai Branly bringing the non-European world to Paris, the unparalleled Les Invalides cemetery and the needless Eiffel Tower. where is that? Did you know that there is an apartment in the Eiffel Tower?

On the Left Bank, even the familiar has surprises in store. The ancient Roman ruins of the Arènes de Lutèce region, for example. Invisible from the street but accessible through the greenery, this small amphitheater is an unexpected treasure trove of the past. Parc Montsouris is at the southern end of Paris, but right next to it is the pretty little street, Square Montsouris, where no tourist seems to venture. Evocative of the past, Piazza Montsouris is lined with gas street lights that illuminate its beautiful, untouched palaces of modern times.

The eastern part of the Left Bank has undergone a massive transformation over the past few decades, transforming the once desolate Parisian neighborhood. But not everything is different.

The four towers of the French National Library may have changed the landscape, but the landscape of the century-old Jardin des Plantes still retains its gentle air. The nearby Paris Mosque still welcomes visitors with its tea room and hammam, and Rue Mouffetard still has its open-air market on the street to Rome.

At the northern end of Rue Mouffetard, after the aromas of pastries, spicy sausages, fresh fruit and a dizzying array of cheeses gripped the olfactory nerves, Place de la Contrescarpe offers a youthful and friendly setting for a drink in the restaurant. Cafes and bars surround its perimeter. It is located near the Institut du Monde Arabe, one of the most prominent buildings in Paris. The building’s floor-to-ceiling windows, cleverly designed by renowned architect Jean Nouvel, open and close automatically to regulate the building’s interior temperature to protect collections and temporary exhibitions relating to the Arab world.

At the heart of the ultimate Left Bank experience, Jardin du Luxembourg is a green space that offers a wonderful respite from the urban environment. As you enter from the east, you are greeted by a beautiful fountain and small reflecting pool. Despite its majesty, the Medici Fountain isn’t even the Jardines main water feature. Instead, the octagonal Grand Bassin is the axis of the land that extends even further to include tennis courts and other sports facilities, as well as a small puppet theater where children’s laughter erupts at intervals. without electronic devices.

Jardin du Luxembourg is the garden of the Luxembourg Palace, which is often referred to on maps as the Senate. The building is actually the seat of the French Senate, but it also houses an exhibition space that hosts some of the most interesting temporary art exhibitions in Paris. To the east of the park is the Pantheon, the main necropolis of the lights in France, and the astronomy tower still remains at the Sorbonne to the east, which also reminds us of simpler times when a study of the celestial lights could be done in the city center.

Just a five-minute walk northwest of the Luxembourg Palace and Gardens is a small, attractive, upscale hotel for connoisseurs. An establishment that frees itself from the formalities of right bank palaces, Esprit Saint Germain replaces it with personal, friendly and professional service in an intimate setting. The hotel’s elegant rooms and suites are complemented by entire apartments for a truly warm Parisian experience.

This philosophy is embodied in a large living room separate from the reception area where a fireplace provides warmth in the cooler months and cold drinks to cool off in the hot weather. Esprit Saint Germain is unique in that it offers a bar open to guests in the afternoon and evening, including champagne. The hotel is located just down the block from Saint Sulpice Church and its pretty square. Two blocks away is the Odeon Theater and the still bohemian charm of St. Germain Street. It’s hard to imagine a more convenient Left Bank location than Esprit Saint Germain.

Rive Gauche by Yves Saint-Laurent was marketed as a less formal and freer product than traditional perfumes. These adjectives pretty much sum up Left Bank. Gustave Eiffel knew. For this, he built a private apartment inside the tower that bears his name.

Checklist: Paris 2024

On the way there

Fly to Paris with one connection with airlines such as China Southern, China Eastern, Air New Zealand (with Air France and Cathay Pacific), Emirates and Singapore Airlines. Talk to your travel agent for the best option.

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