6th district
LUXEMBOURG
Saint Germain des Pres
Change. Saint-André des Arts
Odeon. Luxembourg Garden
Our Lady of the Fields
Saint Germain des Pres
The chic district of Saint-Germain-des-Prés, the cradle of elegance and refinement, unfurls its charms with bewitching allure. Between the cobbled streets, elegant facades and illuminated signs, an enchanting atmosphere emanates, a subtle blend of past and present. Prestigious boutiques unveil carefully orchestrated window displays, attracting strollers in search of timeless elegance. The chic, intimate restaurants invite you to sample their gastronomic delights, where flavours mingle with the Parisian art of living. Along the streets lined with art galleries, artistic treasures are revealed, inviting sensitive souls to plunge into the world of creation. Not far away, the Musée d'Orsay, guardian of Impressionist masterpieces, enchants art lovers from all over the world. The bouquinistes, guardians of the written word and knowledge, take their place along the banks of the Seine, offering strollers literary treasures from another era. And on the Boulevard Saint-Germain, the emblematic cafés, including the Flore, stand as meeting places, where creative minds once gathered to discuss, debate and leave their mark on the capital's literary history. In this charming and cultural district, the soul of Saint-Germain-des-Prés continues to vibrate, reminding us of the richness of its past and the vitality of its present.
The Luxembourg Garden
Au cœur de la Ville Lumière se dresse l'École nationale supérieure des Beaux-Arts, un véritable temple de la créativité où les idées se frottent les unes aux autres dans une danse effrénée. À l'intérieur de ses murs majestueux, les artistes en herbe s'affairent avec ardeur, cherchant à maîtriser les pinceaux comme des magiciens en quête de leur propre potion enchantée. Les couloirs résonnent de murmures passionnés et de rires complices, tandis que les esquisses volent d'un chevalet à l'autre, créant un joyeux chaos artistique. Les professeurs, guident leurs élèves sur les sentiers tortueux de la création, leur soufflant des conseils aussi mystérieux qu'un vieux grimoire. Et lorsque le soleil caresse les toits de Paris, les étudiants s'échappent dans les cafés environnants, partageant leurs rêves et leurs frustrations autour d'un café fumant. L'École nationale supérieure des Beaux-Arts est bien plus qu'un simple établissement d'enseignement, c'est un monde à part où les folies artistiques sont encouragées et les conventions sont repoussées.
Institute of France
The Institut de France, a noble building steeped in history, stands like a benevolent guardian in the heart of the capital. The majestic columns support an imposing dome, a reminder of the intellectual exploits that took place here. Inside, the hushed halls house immense libraries, precious archives and erudite minds poring over age-old works. In the corridors, the murmur of lively conversation echoes as researchers, academics and enthusiasts exchange knowledge and ideas. The air is permeated with the fragrance of knowledge, mingled with a hint of dust, testimony to centuries of study and reflection. The Institut de France embodies a place where brilliant minds meet, where ideas come to life, and where knowledge is revered with a solemnity imbued with a relentless quest for truth.
Court of Rohan
The Cour de Rohan is much more than just a courtyard: it's a haven of creativity and history. As you pass through its gates, you enter a unique world where different eras and architectural styles blend harmoniously. The Cour du Commerce Saint-André and the Rue du Jardinet guide you into this timeless space, just a stone's throw from the legendary Le Procope café. Renaissance buildings, old bricks, unusual features and the presence of vegetation create a unique atmosphere. The Cour de Rohan has been a haven for renowned artists such as Balthus, who set up his studio here in 1936. It has also played host to influential figures such as Georges Bataille, who used to organise legendary parties for renowned intellectuals such as Jean-Paul Sartre, Simone de Beauvoir, Michel Leiris and Raymond Queneau. In the 1970s, artist David Hockney stopped off here before heading off to California. Figures such as the American sculptor Sheila Hicks and the Canadian director Robert Carsen have also made their home here. Continuing this creative tradition, the Alberto and Annette Giacometti Foundation has found its home in the mansion bequeathed by Annette Giacometti, the artist's widow, at number 3 of the courtyard. In this way, the Cour de Rohan reveals itself as a veritable artistic melting pot, where past and present meet to create a place imbued with magic and inspiration.
The Luxembourg Garden
Le Palais et le jardin du Luxembourg
La sculpture de la Fontaine Médicis , l’une des plus belles de Paris, est l’œuvre d’Auguste Ottin. Il s’agit d’une représentation de Polyphème surprenant la nymphe Galatée dans les bras du berger Acis.
La sculpture représente un acteur de théâtre de la Grèce antique qui déclame son texte, lisant le manuscrit qu'il tient de sa main gauche. Il porte un masque relevé sur le front .
Le Palais et le jardin du Luxembourg
In the Jardin du Luxembourg, words fall silent and the flowers begin to speak. The roses, coquettish and fragrant, whisper love poems in the ears of amazed strollers. The trees, majestic and wise, whisper forgotten stories through their tormented branches. Laughing, carefree children dance with the play of light on the lawn, creating ephemeral tableaux of happiness. The benches, welcoming and worn by time, offer their shoulders to lovers looking for a moment of tenderness. In the Jardin du Luxembourg, the hours stretch out gently, taking with them the cares of everyday life. It's a haven where time stands still, the imagination unfolds and dreams take flight.
Church of Saint-Sulpice
National Institute of Public Service (previously ENA)
The church of Saint-Sulpice, a veritable architectural gem, bears witness to the eventful history of its construction. It was built over several centuries, leaving an indelible mark on the Parisian landscape. The impressive dimensions of the church make it one of the largest in the capital, offering a grandiose space conducive to contemplation and spirituality. However, the church is not without its peculiarities. The two towers, with their distinct architecture, tell the story of architects with divergent visions. The ups and downs of their construction, between changes of concept and interruptions linked to the tormented history of the Revolution, created a completed north tower and a south tower that has been awaiting finishing touches for over two centuries. In its unfinished beauty, the church of Saint-Sulpice is a living testimony to the turbulent history of architecture and human endeavour.
The National School of Administration (ENA), created in 1945 and dissolved in 2021, is a former large French application school responsible for ensuring the selection and training of senior officials of the French State. On April 8, 2021, the President of the French Republic, Emmanuel Macron, announced the abolition of the ENA, replaced in 2022 by the National Institute of Public Service (INSP) whose second mission to ensure the initial training of student civil servants from its competitions, relying on other public service schools or other training organizations, in particular ministerial.
The objective is to renovate the initial training of senior State executives in a logic of trades, skills and professionalization but also to decompartmentalize the administration by developing a common culture of public action.
Institute of Art and Archeology
In 1917, fashion designer Jacques Doucet (1853-1929), collector and patron, donated his formidable collection of art books from all times and all countries to the University of Paris. The University of Paris is launching a competition won by the Norman architect Paul Bigot: an art library housing the Doucet collection will be at the heart of a new building integrating classrooms.
Completed in 1927, the building embodies the historicist style; it goes against the current of the two styles in vogue at that time, modern architecture and Art Deco. The building is organized around a central courtyard. The material used may seem surprising: the red brick of Vaugirard or Burgundy used in its plasticity is indeed unusual in the Parisian landscape. This reference to Sienese and Venetian architecture is explained by the desire to offer a warm background tone to the rays of the Parisian sun. Africa also seems to have been a source of inspiration: at the level of the cornice, the small aedicules pointing towards the sky are reminiscent of Moorish or sub-Saharan architecture.
The most singular detail of the building is the archaeological frieze treated in bas-relief on all the facades. This frieze is made up of terracotta moldings of Greek, Roman, medieval and Renaissance sculptures. It was made by the Manufacture de Sèvres.