History and evolution
The 6th arrondissement of Paris, also commonly called “Luxembourg,” was founded in the 6th century and soon became the heart of the Catholic Church in the city. Its northern part overlooks and touches the great river Seine, while the 5th, 14th, and 15th arrondissements border it. With flourishing higher education institutions and habited by many intellectuals, it has been home to many of the most influential literary movements in feminism, existentialism, and surrealism.
Notable monuments and sites
Palais de Luxembourg : Originally constructed in 1615 and completed in 1645, the Palace of Luxembourg was meant to be an estate for Queen Marie de Medici. The aftermath of the French Revolution left the palace in poor conditions, and it was ultimately restored and transformed into the house of various Senat houses. It is home to the Fifth Republic of France, south of the palace. The public can enjoy its magnificent garden with numerous green lawns and ponds where children often sail their toy boats.
Odeon Theater de l’Europe has played an important role in French culture since its inauguration in 1782 when it hosted the Theatre-Français troupe. An Italian-style theater inspired the exterior, and traces of neoclassical architecture can be found specifically on the exterior. The theater started with only one room but faced many challenges, such as two fires (one in 1799 and the other in 1818). The rebuilding after these fires allowed the changing and growth of the theater when it was time to reconstruct. Now, the public can enjoy the restored theater and the addition of the Jean Louis Barrault Library, which specializes in theater and was inaugurated in 1995.
Vibrant neighborhoods
Le Bon Marche was the first department store in the world to open its doors in 1852. The original owners, Aristide Boucicaut, aimed to create a new way of shopping and used advanced marketing strategies to understand customer behavior. The idea that multiple shops and needs would be under one roof intrigued and made life easier for customers. Before the current location, the smaller and first location of Au Bon Marche sold mainly sheets, mattresses, and umbrellas. Now, you can shop more than 30,000 SQM of luxury fashion and beauty brands.
Cultural Activities
Musee National Eugene Delacroix is a museum founded by the Society of Friends of Eugene Delacroix in the late 1920s. The painter (Delaxcroix) lived in that apartment as a painter until he died in 1863. When the state threatened to destroy the property, a society was formed by his ‘friends’ who made an effort to preserve the place. The museum has been restored and maintained to the best of its ability to mimic how Delacroix kept it while living there. While visiting, you can explore paintings such as The Madeleine in the Desert and preserved paintings, prints, drawings, and much more of Eugene.
Nightlife and Gastronomy
Cafe Procope is the oldest cafe in Paris and can arguably be the inspiration for what would become so dominant in French culture. It was opened in 1686 by Chef Procopio Cuto and was frequently visited by Napoleon. Today, you can enjoy an excellent hot chocolate coffee or drink while viewing one of Napoleon’s original hats. The Phrygian cap, the symbol of Liberty, was first displayed in this cafe, as was the last letter from Marie Antoinette to Louis XVI.
Cafe de Flore is arguably one of Paris’s most visited and popular cafes. Its name comes from the sculpture of Flora, the goddess of flowers and the spring season. The cafe that corners Boulevard Saint-Germain takes inspiration from its name, as it is beautifully decorated with plants and flowers. Regulars at Cafe de Flore included Pablo Picasso, Remy de Gourmont, George Bataille, and other influential philosophers. The cafe offers a welcoming, homey environment to enjoy their world-famous hot chocolate with friends or family.
Connections and Accessibility
The metro lines that operate within the 6th arrondissement include lines 4 (purple),10 (yellow), 12 (green), and RER B (blue). The stations of line 4 are Saint Michel, Odeon, Saint-Germain-Des-Pres, Saint Sulpice, Saint Placide, Montparnasse-Bienvenüe, and Vavin. The 10 line stops at Odeon, Mabillon, Sevres-Babylone, Vaneau and Duroc. Stations along the 12 include Serves-Babylone, Rennes, Notre-Dame-Des-Champs and Montparnasse-Bienvenüe. Luxembourg is the station that serves as the stop for the RER B.