The best hotels in Saint-Germain-des-Prés

1. Hôtel Montalembert, Saint-Germain's timeless address

Since 1926, Hôtel Montalembert has discreetly watched over the Rue du Bac from its small side street. The first boutique hotel in Paris, the 5-star Saint-Germain-des-Prés hotel has stood the test of time without ever losing its old-world charm, although architect-decorator Pascal Allaman has brought it up to date with a contemporary touch A haven for post-war writers and artists, its salons have welcomed journalists, publishers and designers, all of whom have been seduced by its hushed atmosphere. Now a member of the B Signature Hotels & Resorts group, the Saint-Germain-des-Prés hotel continues to attract influential figures - from the press to fashion, cinema and letters - perpetuating its role as a Left Bank salon for curious minds.

Inside, the 50 rooms, including 10 suites, extend this hushed atmosphere. Ebony parquet flooring, aged brass with a patina, orange and yellow leathers, wild silk on the windows, molded doors, bookcases stocked with antique books and fireplaces give the impression of staying in a Parisian apartment where everything has been thought through to the smallest detail - right down to the television hidden in a gilded picture frame. In the bathrooms, the gray, taupe and gold mosaics on the walls compete with the chic white veined Carrara marble of the basins.

The suites, on the 7th and 8th floors, offer spectacular views over the rooftops of Paris: the Eiffel Tower, the bell tower of Saint-Thomas d'Aquin church, bluish-grey zinc stretching as far as the eye can see. Some attic rooms open onto flower-filled balconies, and all feature an island bath facing the windows, so you can admire Paris from your bath. The most unusual is suite 82, designed as a true Parisian pied-à-terre by Anne Jousse, the Group's CEO: carpets designed by herself, Gerrit Rietveld's Utrecht armchair, accessories by a Moroccan designer, and objects found on her travels. An atmosphere both intimate and cosmopolitan, reflecting her personality.

On the first floor, the Montalembert's restaurant is an integral part of neighborhood life, attracting a clientele of lifelong loyal neighbors as well as passing visitors. Behind the Carrara marble of the bar and the dark woodwork - echoing the decoration of the rooms - chef Cyril Russo offers an instinctive, lively cuisine rooted in the seasons. Beef tartare, croque-monsieur, market vegetables or more daring dishes... each dish celebrates the perfect balance of flavors.

And for a break from the hustle and bustle of the neighborhood, the Saint-Germain-des-Prés hotel added a spa and fitness area in 2024, designed as a refuge from the surrounding hustle and bustle by architectural studio Batiik Studio. Natural stone, textured wood and subdued lighting create a soothing sanctuary, where the discreet luxury of the Montalembert continues.

The highlight? The presence of Laurence Guinebretière, the discreet, warm-hearted manager, whom regular guests are delighted to meet again and again.

Hotel Montalembert
50 rooms from 420 euros per night
3 rue de Montalembert, 75007 Paris
hotelmontalembert-paris.com/fr

2. Villa-des-Prés Paris, art house

It's hard to imagine an address more emblematic of Parisian art de vivre than rue de Buci, the vibrant thoroughfare of Saint-Germain-des-Prés, where cafés, bistros and bookshops attract tourists and locals eager to experience the ambiance of the Left Bank. This is where La Villa des Prés opened, a 5-star hotel designed by interior architect Bruno Borrione as a true aesthete's home. With bespoke furniture and paintings by contemporary French artists selected by gallery owner Amélie du Chalard and scattered throughout the common areas and bedrooms, the decor pays homage to art, which is omnipresent in the area.

The 34 rooms and suites extend this tribute beyond the paintings, with numerous carefully selected books lining the shelves and bedside tables. The decor, in shades of beige, brown and red, perfectly matches the leather sofas and armchairs and the rest of the furniture. The bathrooms follow these shades, with brown mosaic tiles and red paint. Some rooms open onto a planted patio, others overlook the lively Rue de Buci, and the highest ones even have a balcony with an unobstructed view. Everywhere, welcome products signed Diptyque, a perfume brand born in the Saint-Germain-des-Prés district, complete this German-Pratin tribute.

While the Saint-Germain-des-Prés hotel doesn't have a restaurant, its cocktail bar invites you to linger during the day or start the evening with a drink, before indulging in the countless tables around. The real trump card of the Villa des Prés, however, is its extensive wellness area: a rare spa hotel in the heart of Saint-Germain, with a 13-meter indoor pool, sauna and several treatment rooms.

Villa-des-Prés
34 rooms from 672 euros per night
29 rue de Buci, 75006 Paris
+33 1 89 40 05 00

3. Hôtel de Buci, an intimate hotel in Saint-Germain-des-Prés

Just opposite the Villa des Prés, on the other side of Rue de Buci, lies an address with a distinctly different charm: the Hôtel de Buci. Inspired by the district's historic apartments, this 4-star hotel in Paris boasts a busy yet elegant decor, combining tapestries, patterned wallpapers, heavy curtains and dark 18th-century-inspired furniture, a nod to the opulence of French-style interiors.

With just 24 rooms, including 5 suites, the Saint-Germain-des-Prés hotel offers an intimate setting. The compact rooms (14 to 20 m²) give the impression of entering a sophisticated boudoir, with ceiling and wall moldings, period furniture and patterned fabrics. The more spacious suites amplify this approach, with four-poster beds, imposing chandeliers and elaborate decor.

On the first floor, a light-filled winter garden hosts breakfast around an open kitchen, while a spiral staircase leads to the spa. Guests can enjoy 45 minutes of private use of the spa - an intimate space with a jet pool and sauna - during their stay. Massages using Absolution products are also available to extend the wellness experience.

The plus? Although the hotel doesn't have its own restaurant, it does offer a varied room service thanks to a partnership with La Diva des Prés, a neighboring restaurant. On the menu: Parisian brasserie classics, from onion soup to truffle croque, foie gras or smash burger, before concluding with a homemade crème brûlée.

Hôtel de Buci
24 rooms from 258 euros per night
22 rue de Buci, 75006 Paris

4. Hôtel Fougère, bucolic elegance

Just a stone's throw from Rue de Buci, Hôtel Fougère offers yet another atmosphere: the spirit of a chic country house, despite its location in the heart of Paris. Right from the façade, the tone is set with a verdant universe that extends to the interior. Fresh flowers and plants abound in the communal areas, and a small garden even invites you to enjoy a coffee (or more!) in the quiet, away from the hustle and bustle of the street.

Inside, natural materials are the order of the day: exposed beams, fireplace, wooden furniture, wicker chairs, floral and animal motifs. It all adds up to a warm atmosphere that immediately makes you feel at home. This spirit continues in the 24 rooms and suites, where plants also make their presence felt, sometimes dried and framed, sometimes hanging from the balcony. The colorful yet subtle decor is based on natural tones-green, blue, beige, brown-worked in harmony: headboards matching bedside lamps, curtains coordinating with cushions or carpet echoing patterned armchairs.

No restaurant, but the Saint-Germain-des-Prés hotel offers a typically Parisian breakfast of fresh baguette, jams, croissants and brioches from Maison Mulot, squeezed juices and à la carte eggs served in the large lounge with fireplace. No spa either, but massages can be booked directly in your room.

The plus? The attentive staff, always ready to recommend the chicest restaurants in the area to extend the experience beyond the walls.

Hôtel Fougère
24 rooms from 427 euros per night
36 rue Bonaparte, 75006 Paris
+33 1 43 26 00 19

5. Hôtel d'Aubusson, a timeless haven of well-being

On the corner of rue Dauphine, Hôtel d'Aubusson occupies a 17th-century mansion now transformed into a 50-room 5-star hotel. From the moment you enter, high, beamed ceilings, a spectacular chandelier, timeworn sconces and tapestries on the walls transport you to another era.

The rooms, surprisingly spacious for the area, are a little more modern but retain some of the old features - tapestries, four-poster beds, exposed beams and antique wooden furniture. Only the bathrooms offer a more sober breath, with marble walls and Clarins products.

What about well-being? Treatments and massages are provided using Le Labo and Phytomer products, in a 400m² space designed exclusively for hotel guests. With a 20-meter swimming pool - one of the largest in the capital, no less - sauna, hammam, Scandinavian shower, balneotherapy bench and fitness room under the alcoves, it's hard to imagine a space this big in the neighborhood.

The best part? Café Laurent's ivy-covered patio, a tranquil spot for an aperitif or a moment's reading after exploring the nearby bookshops of the Latin Quarter. Inside, the café attracts lovers of jazz and intellectual discussion over signature cocktails (try the St Germain Royal Spritz, made with the St Germain liqueur that originated in the neighborhood) and savory nibbles.

Hôtel d'Aubusson
50 rooms from 520 euros per night
33 rue Dauphine, 75006 Paris
+33 1 43 29 43 43