Add dates

Things to do in Saint-Germain-des-Pres

Our most recommended things to do in Saint-Germain-des-Pres

Paris: Charming Nooks and Crannies Bike Tour

1. Paris: Charming Nooks and Crannies Bike Tour

Start your 3-hour bike in front of the City Hall. On this small-group guided tour, enjoy a leisurely bike ride through Paris historical neighborhoods. Your local guide will show you nooks and crannies of the old Paris as well as explaining you the anecdotes behind the great history. Starting on the city island, head toward St Louis Island, mostly unchanged since the 17th century. Crossing the Seine River, enter the medieval Marais, famous for its Jewish and gay neighborhoods. From middle-aged houses through trendy corners, reach the first-ever Kings Square and its magnificent buildings. Continuing through the Bastille square, demystify its legendary prison and the famous Bastille Day. Escape from city traffic and stroll along the bike-friendly path that lines the Seine River and get ready for a nice drink stop along the water. Next, discover the left bank. From the world's oldest company, which is 1154 years old, head towards the literary Saint Germain des Prés and meet Parisians’ preferred cafés and art galleries. See how the kings, queens, revolutionaries, and Napoléon mixed in a ballet that ended in blood in Odéon and Luxembourg. After resting in the left bankers preferred garden, reach the Sorbonne University and the Latin Quarter with its antic roman empire ruins mixed with the most dangerous middle-aged back streets. Joining this tour at the beginning of your vacation allows you to see a lot of the city and determine where you want to go back to.

Paris: Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Cruise 1-Day/2-Day Pass

2. Paris: Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Cruise 1-Day/2-Day Pass

Explore the sights of Paris at your own pace with a 24-hour or 48-hour pass to the Batobus shuttle service along the River Seine, and jump on and off at 9 strategic stops to see sights such as the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, Louvre, and more. Cruise through the heart of Paris, admiring landmark monuments along the river bank from the comfort of a glassed-in boat. Then, stop to explore further at your leisure. • Tour Eiffel - Port de la Bourdonnais. Jump off at the foot of the great Parisian landmark, and ascend for panoramic city views from the viewing platforms. The stop is also convenient for the Cité de l’Architecture museum, where exhibits include casts of French architecture from the 12th to 18th centuries. • Musée d'Orsay - Quai de Solférino. Located a 2-minute walk from the Musée d'Orsay, this stop is perfect for those who want to explore the world of Impressionists artists, such as Monet, Degas, Renoir, Cézanne, and Van Gogh. • St-Germain-des-Prés - Quai Malaquais. Hop off near the Institut de France, home of Paris artists and intellectuals, and discover historic sights, such as the famous Les Deux Magots and Café de Flore. • Notre-Dame - Quai de Montebello. Admire the architectural harmony and Gothic gargoyles of the most iconic cathedral in Paris, and explore the carefree student atmosphere of the Latin Quarter. • Jardin des Plantes - Cité de la Mode et du Design. Wander among nature in the main botanical garden of Paris, and explore the museums in the garden grounds, including the Grande Galerie de l'Évolution and Paleontology Museum. Explore the city within a city dedicated to creativity: design, fashion, innovation, and events. • Hotel de Ville - Pont d'Arcole. Stop here to visit the historic City Hall of Paris, go to the Pompidou Centre, and wander the bohemian streets of the Marais district. • Louvre - Pont Royal and Pont du Carrousel. Discover a Paris quarter where history and the history of art come together, and see centuries of art, from Egyptian antiquities to Renaissance masterpieces. • Place de la Concorde. Stroll down one of the most elegant streets in Paris, home to five-star hotels and chic boutiques, and see the Grand Palais, Petit Palais, and tree-lined Avenue Montaigne. • Invalides - Pont Alexandre III.

Paris: 3-Hour Chocolate & Patisserie Walking Tour

3. Paris: 3-Hour Chocolate & Patisserie Walking Tour

Take a walking tour of Saint Germain des Prés neighborhood with 8 tasting stops. Explore the art galleries, boutiques, romantic passages and, of course, pastries and chocolate shops. Hear about the history of the neighborhood and its artisans from your guide. Meet your guide in the heart of Saint Germain des Près. Begin with a visit to Debauve & Gallais, where you will be seduced by their chocolates as Marie Antoinette was in 1779. Discover how the love of chocolate in Paris has expanded since then, especially in this district. Listen to anecdotes about the pastries and chocolates that you will taste. Some of France's best pastry and chocolate chefs, known for their chocolates and macarons such as Pierre Hermé, Patrick Roger, Yannick Lefort and many others, settled in Saint Germain des Près. Admire some of the most beautiful monuments on the Left Bank of Paris such as the Church of Saint Germain des Prés and the Church of Saint Sulpice. Tread the cobblestones of the charming rue de Buci and contemplate one of the institutions of Paris, the Café de Flore. Taste chocolates, macarons and pastries at Paris, the Café de Flore. Your guide will teach you everything there is to know about these sweets while enjoying a cup of tea, coffee or hot chocolate.

Electric Bike Tour of Paris’ Hidden Gems

4. Electric Bike Tour of Paris’ Hidden Gems

There’s a lot more to Paris than just the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe. This one-of-a-kind guided 4-hour electric bike tour will take you beyond the attractions everyone knows, to explore some of Paris’ most hidden treasures, secrets, and stories. After you pick up your electric bicycle, follow your guide through the city on a sightseeing adventure that takes you from the tranquil banks of the River Seine to the lofty vantage point of Montagne Sainte-Geneviève. Riding an electric bike is easy and fun – anytime you start to feel tired, it's easy to get a boost from the eco-friendly engine to get you over that hill. Hear new and surprising stories about Paris monuments while cruising through the historic streets of Saint-Germain-des-Près. You're sure to discover some of the city’s best romantic spots: quiet bridges, shaded parks, and trendy cafes. You can also choose to take the 3-hour evening tour to focus on the city’s striking nighttime views and lighting displays on a different route through the heart of the city.

Paris: Walking Food Tour in Saint Germain des Prés

5. Paris: Walking Food Tour in Saint Germain des Prés

Start your walking tour with a morning departure at 10:45 AM or afternoon at 4:00 PM, in front of the Church of Saint Germain des Prés, in the 6th arrondissement (near Saint Germain des Prés stop on Metro line 4). Now, visit 3 different sweet shops, entering each one for a tasting as you listen to the success story of the local artisan, interact with the merchant if you wish. Discover a hidden courtyard where the story of restaurants began, where many famous French historical leaders passed through. Then, embark on an oilve oil tasting much like a wine tasting, discovering the different tastes of olives. Your guide will lead you in the neighborhood introducing you some local restaurants before a new stop at one of the best pastry French chefs'. Learn how to recognize the best pastry chef and choose the right kind or pastry. End your tour with three savoury addresses, where you will sit for a longer tasting with wine: a charcuterie tasting, a cheese tasting, and the best bread of Paris. 

Paris: Half-Day Electric Bike Tour

6. Paris: Half-Day Electric Bike Tour

Let the comfort and ease of an electric bike take you on an unforgettable Parisian adventure. Inside Marais, enjoy a game of Pétanque at the oldest Parisian monument. Experience student life in the Latin Quarter, sit back at the "Luco" and wander the typically Parisian side streets in the Mouffetard district. While the always busy artist cafés of Saint-Germain-des-Prés are where you can find the action, if you need a break, the Nouvelles Berges de Seine offers the peace and quiet of the riverbank. The allure of this beautiful city is there for the taking. And lucky for you, this tour makes seeing it all possible.

Paris: City Treasures Bike Tour

7. Paris: City Treasures Bike Tour

Your 3-hour bike tour starts in front of the 500-year-old City Hall and heads toward the ancient Ile Saint-Louis and Ile de la Cité. Pass the Notre Dame Cathedral towards the Latin Quarter — the founding place of Paris some 2000 years ago. Saddle along the car-free riverbanks, past medieval churches, and through charming squares. See the famous love-lock bridge, the iconic Louvre Museum, and also the trendy areas of Odéon and Saint-Germain-des-Pres. Navigate the city like a local as you discover cafés where Ernest Hemingway and F. Scott Fitzgerald hung out in the roaring twenties. See monuments to the world-famous names who lost their lives in the city: Napoleon's grave at Les Invalides and the square where Marie Antoinette was beheaded in 1793.  Take the chance to get insider tips from your local guide on restaurants, cafés, shopping, ice cream, and nightlife to ensure you have the best possible stay in the City of Lights.

Saint-Germain-des-Prés: Pastry and Chocolate Walking Tour

8. Saint-Germain-des-Prés: Pastry and Chocolate Walking Tour

In fashionable Saint-Germain-des-Prés, you’ll discover and taste the latest trends in sweets created by chefs who have been celebrated in the gastronomic press. Enjoy what they have to offer on this 3-hour chocolate and pastry tasting tour. Comments in the media have included: the best chocolate maker in France, the Picasso of chocolate makers, a magician of the ganache, and a Bocuse of bakery. The chef confectioners and chocolate makers vie with each other with their latest creations, and the shop windows are the epitome of elegance and refinement. Taste pastries, chocolates, and several sorts of bread in the shops you visit on the tour.

Left Bank Delicacies - Saint Germain des Prés

9. Left Bank Delicacies - Saint Germain des Prés

Saint-Germain des Prés, located in the heart of the most romantic area of Paris, is an inevitable highlight of the Left-Bank. Renowned as the best chocolatier capital in the world, it also contains some gems of 20th century Parisian culture such as Le Café de Flore, La Brasserie Lipp and Les Deux Magots; the favorite places of the intellectuals, politicians and artists in the City of Light.  Hidden in the narrow streets of Saint-Germain and inside some of its 17th century arcades, you'll also discover incredibly charming little food shops that have been selected for you! Savor the smell of a fresh brioche made before your eyes, a fresh, crunchy ham and butter baguette, or even with the sight of an exquisite cheese assortment perfectly paired with wine. Your local foodie guide will be delighted to tell you everything about the Parisian way of life, and share amusing anecdotes and stories about Paris and its specificities.

Paris: Iconic Neighborhoods Guided Walking Tour

10. Paris: Iconic Neighborhoods Guided Walking Tour

Choose one of five Paris districts to visit on a guided walking tour, each one steeped in history and filled with fascinating places to explore. Join your guide as they take you to the heart of your chosen Quartier and tell you all about its history, art, architecture, cuisine, fashion, and more. Le Marais: History and Fashion Discover the hidden treasures of Le Marais and find out why this district is a favorite amongst hip Parisians. Come see where history and architecture rub shoulders with hip boutiques, cool cafes, and gourmet eateries. Montmartre: The Artists' Quarter Visit the charming Parisian district of Montmartre with a local guide. Discover the Montmartre of Picasso, Toulouse-Lautrec, and Van Gogh. See where artists lived, drank, danced, and painted, exchanging their paintings for food and art supplies. Saint-Germain-des-Prés: Intellectuals and Jazz on the Left Bank Join your guide as you dive into the fascinating past of this iconic Left Bank neighborhood. Hear captivating stories about Saint-Germain-des-Prés, once home to literary geniuses, rebellious students, and revolutionaries. The Latin Quarter: Literary Legends in Bohemian Paris Discover the vibrant and eclectic Latin Quarter on a guided walking tour. Stroll down cobblestone streets lined with quirky bookshops and lively cafes, see the Sorbonne, and admire the mighty Pantheon. The Covered Passages: Hidden Treasures and Chic Shopping Explore a lesser-known side of Paris and see hidden treasures often missed by other visitors. Discover the delightful covered passages filled with tiny boutiques and cafes, and learn about the best places to shop and grab a bite to eat in the city.

Available activities

36 activities found
Sort by:
Page 1 of 3

Frequently asked questions about Saint-Germain-des-Pres

What are the best indoor activities in Saint-Germain-des-Pres for rainy days?

What are the best inexpensive tours in Saint-Germain-des-Pres?

Other Sightseeing Options in Saint-Germain-des-Pres

Want to discover all there is to do in Saint-Germain-des-Pres? Click here for a full list.

What people are saying about Saint-Germain-des-Pres

Overall rating

4.6 / 5

based on 5,178 reviews

Would highly recommend this tour to anyone who visits Paris, especially if your tour guides are Clement or Matt. Clement was our host with Matt assisting. Tours have a risk of being stagnant after a while, however Clements demeanour & wealth of knowledge of the city made it incredible thought provoking & interactive. He didn't just stop, talk, then set off again. He shot questions at us, gave us fun facts about historical events at each viewpoint & allowed us to take our time to take photos etc. that ultimately gave it a relaxed feel. Props to Matt having to look after my friend who is less adept at cycling & has anxiety about cycling on the road. Very patient with her & kept her smiling the whole time. Would probably sign up for it when I'm next in Paris just to see how those guys are getting on. Absolutely fantastic activity & potential highlight of the holiday. Highly recommend!

I decided on the Batobus as I had read reviews of how packed the tourist cruise boats can get. We also weren’t too bothered about commentary. To be fair it was out of season so generally quieter but the boat was was good - all seating is inside but there is a section at the end where you can stand outside (too cold for that on our visit). The batobus website is useful for telling you when the next boat is due and a bit about each stop. It’s a good relaxing way to see Paris. There was a strike on one of our days and I contacted Getyourguide who were really helpful and was able to rebook to 2 different days.

We had a great time! Our family was the only ones on the tour so we received a very personalized tour. I was shocked by the number of shops we visited. There were so many in a small area. Our guide was great. She had great knowledge about why certain shops made certain things and what they were known for. She even took us into a cheese shop which was a great change of pace. She also showed us the Bon Marche grocery store - oh my - that was amazing. We had another tour to run to but I wish we had more time to hang around Saint-Germain.

Our guide, Jo, was lively and knowledgeable and we (family of 4) surely enjoyed the ride.

Great tour def do again saw places would never find on own