6th: Saint Germain, Luxembourg

For the majority of Parisians and those who travel to Paris religiously, the 6th arrondissement is the perfect neighborhood, filled with boutiques and bistros that seem frozen in time. Next to the Jardin du Luxembourg, arguably the city’s prettiest park, the neighborhood of Saint-Germain-des-Prés draws visitors for gallery-hopping, people-watching at sidewalk cafes, and glorious shopping. The must-see churches for this arrondissement include Saint Sulpice and l’Eglise Saint-Germain-des-Prés. Museum notables: Musée Delacroix, Musée de la Monnaie, Musée Zadkine and the Musée d’ Histoire de la Médecine. Be sure not to miss an opportunity for a lovely stroll along both the Quai Voltaire and the pedestrian bridge Pont des Arts, and designate some time for soaking up all the peace and quiet that the Jardin du Luxembourg (Luxembourg Gardens) has to offer. Stretch your legs walking the charming streets of rue de Buci, rue St. André des Arts, and rue Jacob, ogling the pretty window displays, and sampling freshly-made, paper-wrapped pastry delights, tucking today’s warm baguette under an arm while choosing the perfect wine for an impromptu meal. The cafes in the 6th deserve a special shout-out because they are filled with history and joie de vivre. Café des Flores, Les Deux Magots, and Café Bonaparte are a few such examples.