An area in the 6th arrondissement of Paris, Saint-Germain-des-Prés is one of Paris most popular neighbourhoods. Known for its lively cafe scene, the neighbourhood is also renowned for its shopping experience - a twin combination that leads to a sizeable number of tourists to visit the area.
Tourist visiting the area or even those staying in the various Saint Germain des Pres serviced apartments will find the area one of the best places to live in and to shop for haute couture wear. Here one can also expect to buy almost anything from a swarovski crystal to a modern art piece. So, if you have made your mind to leave the confines of your Paris holiday apartments for some sightseeing and shopping than head for the nearest metro station to catch the first train to St-Germain-des-Prés.
The best way to reach the area is to get down at Metro St-Germain-des-Prés (off line 4) and walk north towards the Seine. Alternately you can also walk east from Metro Sèvres-Babylone on the line 10. Once there you will find yourself surrounded by numerous cafes, restaurants, art galleries, museums not to mention the boutiques and antique shops. Most of these shops and stores are usually centred on the Boulevard St-Germain, Rue de Seine, Rue de Rennes, Rue Bonaparte and have their own distinct characteristics that give the area its own unique charm. You can spend your day wandering through these streets exploring the myriad antique shops and art galleries while browsing at the second hand literary treasures and getting blown away by the designs of Giorgio Armani, Yves Saint Laurent, Karl Lagerfeld etc. The Rue de Rennes is one of the best places to shop for haute couture and ready-to-wear - almost every well known fashion designer and fashion stores like Christian Dior, Ralph Lauren, Etam, H&M,Kenzo, Kookaï all have their shops here as Jérôme Dreyfuss famous for their bags and Ice Watch for their watches.
Most of the shops in Paris are open from Monday to Saturday (from 10am to 6 or 7 pm) and St.Germain is no exception. The shops and markets of the neighbourhood see a sizeable rush of locals as well as tourists during the annual summer and winter sales. While this year summer sale is almost over, the winter sale is all set to take place from 8 January 8 to February 11, 2014. So, if you are planning a vacation in Paris, then these are the time to be.
Do note that if you are looking for some cheap apartments in Paris for short stay purpose in the Saint Germain des Pres area, you might end up a bit disappointed but don’t you worry the nearby Latin Quarter neighbourhood has got some wonderful short stay apartments that will fit your budget perfectly.
