Paris by Métro: Saint Sulpice

St. Sulpice in the background.

Saint Sulpice at a Glance

Line=4

Arrondissement=6th

Sights Within 1 Kilometer:

North

Les Deux Magots– 300m

Café de Flore– 300m

Saint Germain des Prés- 350m

Delacroix Museum– 550m

Oscar Wilde’s Hotel- 650m

Seine/Quais- 900m

Pont des Arts- 1km

East

Saint Sulpice– 300m

Man Ray’s Home and Studio- 350m

Musée de Luxembourg-500m

Palais du Luxembourg– 650m

Luxembourg Garden-800m

Original Location of Shakespeare and Company- 700m

Place Saint Michel-1km

South

Gertrude Stein’s Home- 650m

Sight Descriptions:

North

Les Deux Magots/Café Flore: Many tourists visit these restaurants to be surrounded by the same environment of great minds like Hemingway, Picasso, or Morrison.  Food and drinks are pricey, but if you follow some of the literary greats, it almost feels like a requirement to come.  I wouldn’t plan on starting the next new writing movement here because it is crowded, noisy, and distracting.  Perhaps the air is filled with greatness and you will be successful no matter what.

Saint Germain des Prés: The oldest church in Paris can be found on the famous Boulevard Saint Germain.  Here is another example of gothic architecture.

Delacroix Museum: Most of us know the artist Delacroix for his painting Liberty Leading the People.  His home was turned into a museum of his work.

Oscar Wilde’s Hotel: This hotel is where the exiled Wilde passed away.  Perhaps you’ve heard his famous last words, “either this wallpaper goes, or I do.”  Apparently the wallpaper won.

Seine/Quais: Find a good spot on a bridge and watch the ebb and flow of people travel down the river.  The quays along the Seine are perfect for strolling or a picnic.  Life is good watching the world go by on water.

Pont des Arts: This bridge is an outdoor art museum.  Parisians love walking down the busy bridge or bringing a small picnic to enjoy over the Seine.

East

Saint Sulpice: The church gained some of its fame from The Da Vinci Code.  Although the holy grail cannot be found here, bellowing organ music can be heard.

Man Ray’s Home and Studio: If you are a fan of the artist, you may want to walk past Man Ray’s previous residence. This sight is closed to the public.

Musée de Luxembourg: Many paintings found in the Musée d’Orsay were once showcased in the Musée de Luxembourg.  Now the museum features changing exhibits.  Be sure to check the website for current exhibitions.

Palais du Luxembourg: The palace was built for Marie de Medici to remind her of the Pitti Palace in Florence.  Unfortunately, she wasn’t really able to enjoy the palace because her son sent her to exile.  The palace is now the home of the senate and office buildings.

Luxembourg Garden: The gardens flowing out from the palace are one of the many living rooms for the Parisians.  While pacing through the gardens you may come across a group of older men playing pétanque, a little tike riding a pony, children chasing their sailboats on the pond with their sticks, or a fountain revealing danger for two lovers.

Original Location of Shakespeare and Company: There is nothing to suggest that this used to be the famous bookstore frequented by Joyce or Hemingway, but it is the location of the Shakespeare and Company we’ve learned about.  Although the current Shakespeare and Company was never owned by Sylvia Beach, it is still worth checking out.

Place Saint Michel: The fountain has seen some challenging times in Paris history.  From uprisings against the Nazis to student demonstrations in 1968, the cove that forms Place Saint Michel has heard people standing up for what they believe in.  Venture through the streets in the surrounding area to find hidden corners of the Latin Quarter.

South

Gertrude Stein’s Home: If you are lucky, someone will open the door leading to the courtyard as you pass.  If this moment happens, sneak inside to see Stein’s salon.  Imagine the people that walked through these doors to see famous works of art.

Cafés focus more on drinks and common fare. They are generally open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

The most famous location of Shakespeare and Company. This is the place we think of when we think of the Lost Generation.

St. Michel

Home and studio to Man Ray (also a scene in one of his paintings).

Boats at the Luxembourg

We snuck into the courtyard to see the studio where Gertrude Stein lived and opened her salon to viewers. It was very thrilling!