Attractions in 6th Arrondissement (Paris)

L' Église Saint-Germain-des-Prés

Once a powerful Benedictine abbey, Saint-Germain-des-Prés was a city within the city until most of it was demolished after the French Revolution. Today's church is all that is left of the monastery. The abbey was founded in 558 by King Childebert I, as a tribute to St. Germanus, bishop of Paris. The abbey had a huge intellectual and spiritual influence from the 8th Century on. The abbey's ruins reflect its troubled history. It was ransacked and rebuilt many times along the years and different eras cohabit in today's church. Among the oldest parts are the chancel and the ambulatory, both from the 12th Century. The church's garden hosts a sculpture by Picasso: a tribute to French poet Guillaume Apollinaire.

Chapelle de Luxembourg

This 6th-arrondissement chapel was founded in 1857 by a group of protestants seeking the separation of church and state. The chapel is available as a venue and occasionally hosts concerts and choirs.

France Tourisme

A fleet of well-equipped vehicles introduces visitors to the best of France through a selection of guided sightseeing tours. Some run throughout the country, although most remain within the city of Paris. They run during the day and at night, showcasing everything from architectural and cultural treasures to cabarets and restaurants. Special tours are organized for certain holidays and venues.

Saint-Sulpice

This wonderful church, built between 1646 and 1766 boasts an impressive Italian-style façade adorned with two turrets and columns on two levels. Its entrance is flanked by two huge shells gifted by the Venetian Republic in the 16th Century to François I (sculptor Jean-Baptiste Pigalle was responsible for their superb pedestals). The architect Visconti added its square and fountain in the 19th Century. The interior, which measures 100 meters (328 feet) long, 50 meters (164 feet) wide and 30 meters (98 feet) high, is in the form of a Latin cross; in the chapel near the entrance are three famous paintings by Eugène Delacroix: La Lutte de Jacob avec l'ange (Jacob's Fight with the Angel), Héliodore chassé du temple (Heliodorus Driven from the Temple) et Saint Michel terrassant le démon (St Michael Slaying the Demon).

Palais du Luxembourg, Le

The Palais' construction was commissioned in 1615 by princess regent Marie de Médicis, who bought the Duke of Luxembourg's private mansion and entrusted architect Salomon de Brosse with its transformation into a royal palace. The inspiration for its Renaissance style came from Tuscany, Marie de Médicis' birthplace; it remained royal property under the reign of Louis XIV (who raised his children here) and then became a prison under the 18th Century Convention (France's short-term, post-Revolution government). During the Second World War it was used by the German Luftwaffe (Air Force) as their headquarters. Today, it is home to the Sénat (upper house of the French parliament) and its garden (Jardin du Luxembourg) is one of Paris' favorites. The Musée du Luxembourg is nearby.

Le Jardin du Luxembourg

The ground on which the Jardin du Luxembourg and the Palais du Luxembourg stand was originally the site of a Roman camp. In 1257 the Chartreux religious order bought the land and built a monastery here and later princess regent Marie de Médicis had the palace built in 1615. This is one of Paris' favorite gardens. Sensitively and very prettily laid out, it is wonderfully popular with students and residents in Paris' Latin Quarter. Children can go on pony rides, play on swings and sail their toy boats on the octagonal pond. A much-loved and popular meeting place.Open daily from 7.30am

Institute de France

Five renowned French academies meet inside the Institut de France. The grandiose building runs along the Seine River, just a short walk across the Pont des Arts from the Louvre. Architect Louis Le Vau originally designed the building to be the College of the Four Nations, a school for young noblemen of provinces France had conquered. Since 1805, it has been the headquarters of the Institut de France. The institute manages about 1000 foundations, museums and castles in the country. The most important of these assemblies is l’Académie Française, whose official task is to publish the official dictionary on the French language. The Institut de France offers guided tours on Saturdays, Sundays and national holidays at 3p by reservation only. - Betsy Mikel

La Monnaie de Paris

Dating back to the 18th century, this building houses the Musée de la Monnaie. While earlier it was used as a mint workshop and for administrative purposes, today the museum features a numismatic collection. The building which was constructed under the guidance of architecht Jacques-Denis Antoine is an excellent example of architecture of that era. Exhibitions and coin sales are also held at La Monnaie de Paris.