How to Choose the Best Airbnb in Saint Germain des Près


 

As you make you’re way from the Right Bank onto the left via the beautiful Pont des Arts you’ll come to find my favorite quarter in the Paris city center.

The district of Saint Germain des Prés sits on the bank of the Seine river across from the Louvre Museum and the Tuileries Gardens. Many consider this to be one of the more posh parts of the city center, however its close proximity to the Latin Quarter keeps it youthful and vibrant year round.

Saint Germain des Près – by Mbzt – Wikimedia Commons

Being so central, Saint Germain des Prés is also a great area for hotels and Airbnbs in Paris. Here is exactly how you can go about ensuring that you pick the right location for your stay.

The Seine River in Saint Germain des Près

Every day of the week there are free guided walking tours that make their way down each bank of the Seine in the central arrondissements. Most of the iconic landmarks are situated on these banks, as well as the Notre Dame cathedral that floats on the island in the water.

Most visitors here agree that the most ideal living location is undoubtably the bank of the Seine, especially if you are only in the city for a brief period of time.

Saint Germain des Près – by Guilhem Vellut – Wikimedia Commons

The northern part of Saint Germain des Prés lies on the bank of the Seine. It spans just a few blocks down the riverside but is packed with apartment buildings one next to the other. Within them, a range of Airbnb options to suite a variety of budgets.

Staying on the Seine has its obvious perks such as notably less noise from street life and the nightly reflection of the moon on the water from your balcony. Waking up over the water every morning in Paris is hard to beat.

The less obvious perks of this Airbnb location are that it becomes very hard to get lost in Paris, even if you completely lose your bearings.

Saint Germain des Près Airbnb – by Airbnb – Sourced from their website

The Seine runs right through the city center, finding your way home by day or by night (without a map) is completely doable so long as you simply follow the waters edge. This is ideal if you are trying to use as little public transport as possible during your stay and prefer to get around by foot.

Public Transport in Saint Germain des Près

Speaking of public transport; I always encourage those looking to rent a suitable Airbnb to consider the transport options available near their property.

Paris has an intricate bus system that runs through most major streets in all of the arrondissements. You can virtually get anywhere, anytime so long as you have the patience to wait on each line to facilitate your moves.

The metro is a far more preferred means of travel through Paris city. There are stations situated in regular intervals through the spiraling suburbs that make up the whole city.

Bus stop in aint Germain des Près – by Mbzt – Wikimedia Commons

If spending a lot of time on foot isn’t an option (perhaps you are traveling with small children or elderly individuals) it makes sense for your Airbnb to be situated in close proximity to the metro stations of Saint Germain des Prés.

The three main ones that run through the southern end of the quarter are Odéon, Mabillon and Saint-Germain-des-Prés. Making your way north from any of these will take you into the rest of the Saint Germain des Prés neighborhood.

Saint Germain des Près Airbnb – by Airbnb – Sourced from their website

The properties near the Odéon stop on the eat end are more residential. The ones closer to Mabillon and Saint-Germain-des-Prés are surrounded by more touristic attractions and streets that value nightlife.

Alternatively if you need to renter Saint Germain des Prés from the Right Bank you’ll get off at the Louvre – Rivoli metro stop and cross over the Pont des Arts from here. This station is ideal if you end up booking one of the Airbnbs on the Seine river bank.

Bakeries in Saint Germain des Près

This might sound idealistic, but a lot of people visit Paris with the notion in mind that they will wake up every morning and enjoy a short stroll to a nearby bakery where they will nosh on fresh baked croissants and coffee.

Proximity to breakfast foods is a big part of choosing the ideal Airbnb in Paris. If you envisioned the start of your day with a French croissant, then by all means you should have said French croissant!

The Smiths Bakery – by The Smiths Bakery – Uploaded by them

Saint Germain des Prés is filled with decanted bakeries that cater to the locals and tourists of this area. A name you might recognize is Ladurée, you’ll find one of these right in the middle of this neighborhood.

I find the southeastern corner of Saint Germain des Prés the best for that morning snack, suburban Paris lifestyle.

The Smiths Bakery will greet you each morning with their many breakfast options. Just across the street Boulangerie Paul serves up fresh baked pastries from 7am each day. If either of these are full, then Popelini just up the road has your first meal of the day covered.

Saint Germain des Près Airbnb – by Airbnb – Sourced from their website

Basically, the bakery scene in this part of Saint Germain des Prés is thriving. You’ll take great enjoyment from being able to walk out of your Airbnb into one of these before the proper start of the day.

Student Life in Saint Germain des Près

To many Saint Germain des Prés is considered upmarket. On some streets this is very noticeable, but on others there is a strong infiltration of student life coming in from the neighboring Latin Quarter in the east.

The Latin Quarter is a student town due to the University that is situated here. The nightlife is therefore quite vibrant even on the most unsuspecting days of the week. As a result, the bars and brasseries in Saint Germain des Prés offer a similar evening vibe.

Les Deux Magots – by lienyuan lee – Wikimedia Commons

Les Deux Magots is a historic brasserie in the southwestern end of the suburb. Hemingway and his fellow writers were known to frequent this spot late into the evening and the nightlife surrounding it has been thriving since. This is a popular area for barhopping and day drinking.

If you are looking for a more calm stay during your time in Saint Germain des Prés then consider heading north of the suburb instead. If you quite like the idea of being in the thick of it all then an Airbnb in the south is where you’ll find home.

Saint Germain des Près Airbnb – by Airbnb – Sourced from their website