THE MUST-VISIT LITERARY CAFÉS OF SAINT-GERMAIN-DES-PRÉS

For decades, Saint-Germain-des-Prés has embodied Paris’s literary spirit. Writers, philosophers, and artists have gathered in its iconic cafés, transformed into true salons of ideas. From Sartre to Beauvoir, Hemingway to Picasso, each left their mark on the neighborhood’s legend.

Staying at Hôtel Montalembert means stepping into this tradition: the Left Bank’s first boutique hotel, it preserves the Germanopratin spirit and invites guests to experience a Paris where ideas and conversations have resonated for generations.

 

 

SAINT-GERMAIN-DES-PRÉS,
the cradle of parisian literary life

Since the 17th century, Saint-Germain-des-Prés has drawn thinkers and writers. At Le Procope, the oldest café in Paris, Voltaire, Rousseau, and Diderot debated philosophy and politics—often as if remaking the world. Two centuries later, the existentialists and surrealists made Café de Flore and Les Deux Magots their home.

After the war, the neighborhood became the beating heart of the intelligentsia. Sartre, Beauvoir, and Camus made it their headquarters, while Juliette Gréco and Boris Vian enchanted the Germanopratin nights. Hemingway, Giacometti, and countless young foreign writers came seeking inspiration.

Even today, these cafés preserve a unique atmosphere: a Paris where people read, debate, and write, surrounded by literary echoes. A timeless invitation, right in the contemporary elegance of Saint-Germain.
 

LES DEUX MAGOTS, A MYTHICAL ADDRESS

It’s impossible to think of Saint-Germain without evoking Les Deux Magots. With its terrace overlooking the square and its Belle Époque décor, this café has become a universal symbol of Parisian literary life. Sartre and Beauvoir spent hours here writing and debating, surrounded by fellow philosophers and artists. Hemingway, Prévert, and Giacometti were also regulars of this intellectual haunt.

Today, the café has retained its prestige. Each year it hosts the Prix des Deux Magots, which honors an original French literary work. Between its thick hot chocolate, red banquettes, and lively atmosphere, it remains a must-visit for anyone wanting to feel the literary heartbeat of the neighborhood.

CAFÉ DE FLORE : EXISTENTIALIST ELEGANCE

Just steps from Les Deux Magots, Café de Flore is equally legendary. Its red armchairs, mirrors, and cozy atmosphere made it Sartre and Beauvoir’s preferred refuge, where they wrote, read, and welcomed intellectual friends. The Flore also became a crossroads for surrealists and later generations of artists and thinkers.

Today, its aura remains intact. Every autumn it hosts the Prix de Flore, founded by Frédéric Beigbeder, which rewards a bold young writer. The Flore is still a place where enchanted tourists and local regulars meet, keeping the legend alive over a café crème or a croque-monsieur on the terrace.
 

LE PROCOPE, THE OLDEST LITERARY CAFÉ

Founded in 1686, Le Procope is the oldest café in Paris. Behind its blue façade lies a historic atmosphere: chandeliers, antique portraits, and wooden tables recall the days when Voltaire, Rousseau, and Diderot were regular patrons. Later, the French Revolution found a stronghold here, with Danton and Robespierre among its frequent visitors.

Today, Le Procope is as much a restaurant as a literary institution. Visitors come to enjoy a coffee or dinner in a setting steeped in history, where every corner seems to whisper a chapter of French thought. It reminds us that Saint-Germain is not only bohemian but also the intellectual heart of Paris for more than three centuries.
 

LA BRASSERIE LIPP : BETWEEN POLITICS AND LITERATURE

Across from Café de Flore, Brasserie Lipp shines with its Art Deco décor, colorful mosaics, and sparkling mirrors. More than a café, it is a Parisian institution. André Malraux, Albert Camus, and Michel Houellebecq all found a table here to discuss, write, or simply observe the world.

Renowned for its atmosphere—both elegant and relaxed—the brasserie also gave birth to a literary prize: the Prix Cazes, founded in 1935 and still awarded today. Lipp remains a place where politics and literature intersect in a distinctly Germanopratin spirit.

CAFÉ DE LA MAIRIE, A DISCREET ADDRESS

Less famous than its illustrious neighbors, Café de la Mairie, on Place Saint-Sulpice, has a different charm: that of discretion. Here, no crowds of tourists—just an authentic ambiance where writers and artists come for tranquility.

Contemporary authors are sometimes spotted writing quietly, while locals enjoy its timeless atmosphere. It’s the perfect place for those seeking the true essence of literary cafés: simplicity, lively discussions, and the pleasure of lingering over a coffee on the terrace.
 

LE BONAPARTE, BOHEMIAN ELEGANCE

Facing the Church of Saint-Germain-des-Prés, Café Le Bonaparte captivates with its ideal location and timeless style. Since the 1950s, it has attracted writers, painters, and intellectuals charmed by its sunny terrace and chic yet laid-back Parisian atmosphere. Less publicized than the Flore or Les Deux Magots, it nevertheless welcomed many artists in search of discreet inspiration.

Today, Le Bonaparte continues this bohemian spirit. Guests observe passersby, read the paper, or jot notes while sipping a café crème or a glass of wine. Its clientele mixes locals, students seeking a studious vibe, and travelers eager for the authentic Saint-Germain lifestyle.
 

CAFÉ TOURNON : A COSMOPOLITAN WRITERS' SPOT

Just steps from the Senate, Café Tournon is less known to the public but holds a special place in Paris’s literary history. In the 1940s and 1950s, it became a gathering place for African-American writers in Paris. Richard Wright, James Baldwin, and Chester Himes met here to discuss literature, society, and freedom, making Tournon a unique cultural crossroads open to voices from abroad.

With its simple décor and comfortable banquettes, the café retains an intimate feel that contrasts with the lively brasseries nearby. Today, it continues to attract a diverse clientele: journalists, politicians, contemporary authors, and lovers of authentic cafés. Visitors come for its hushed ambiance and its cosmopolitan legacy.

HOTEL MONTALEMBERT BAR : LITERARY SPIRIT IN COCKTAIL FORM

While historic cafés embody the Germanopratin legend, Hôtel Montalembert also carries this legacy in a refined contemporary setting. Its bar, frequented by local editors and writers, has become a discreet meeting spot—perfect for extending a literary discussion or savoring a signature cocktail.

The décor balances elegance and sobriety: a Carrara marble counter, dark wood paneling, and mirrored accents. In summer, the intimate terrace is a hidden gem; in winter, the fireplace invites cozy gatherings over rich hot chocolate or fragrant tea.

The drinks menu pays homage to the neighborhood: a Saint-Germain Spritz or an Avion à Saint-Germain nods to its creative soul. Classics sit alongside bold creations, with champagnes, whiskies, and non-alcoholic cocktails crafted with equal care.

The Montalembert Bar is the Germanopratin art of conversation reimagined—where literary spirit is now savored in cocktail form.

These cafés are waiting for you: take a seat, open a book, and let yourself be carried away by the literary soul of Saint-Germain-des-Prés.