Left Bank Travel Guide

Tourist Guide
Eiffel Tower featuring heritage elements, a monument and a park
Paris offers different experiences on two sides of the city’s river. Meander along the left side with its cultural attractions revealing the soul of the city.

Alongside the River Seine, Paris’ Rive Gauche or Left Bank has an artistic charm and is subtly less hectic than its opposite side. Visit the Left Bank to relax at a café and watch the metropolis in motion. Search for one of the establishments that historically were the haunts of famous poets, authors and philosophers.

Paris has multiple sectors, each with a character of its own. The 13th arrondissement or district has a section known as Rive Gauche. Look for its sprawling library, Bibliothèque Nationale François Mitterrand, and towers resembling open books. Plan for lively nightlife spilling from boats tied along the riverbank. Near the library a stunning footbridge, Passerelle Simone de Beauvoir, connects the two shores. Travel around using the driverless Météor, also known as Metro Line 14, which serves the area.

The northerly 7th arrondissement claims one of the world’s major attractions, the Eiffel Tower, built for the International Exposition of 1889, an early world’s fair. Also of great importance is the Musée Rodin, with displays such as The Thinker and The Kiss by the sculptor Auguste Rodin.

Visit Montparnasse in the 6th arrondissement and head a bit west to view a second Notre Dame, Eglise Notre-Dame-du-Travail de Plaisance, whose interior has vaulted steel arches that resemble the Eiffel Tower.

A trip to Cimetière du Montparnasse is an opportunity to see the burial place for many great philosophers and writers, such as Jean-Paul Sartre, Charles Baudelaire and Simone de Beauvoir.

Continue celebrating literary giants and historic figures by having refreshments in the bars and restaurants in St. Germain, 6th arrondissement. Voltaire and Napoleon Bonaparte frequently visited France’s oldest café, Le Procope, while Café Deux Magots and Café Flore have welcomed Ernest Hemingway, Pablo Picasso and Albert Camus through their doors.

A visit to the Left Bank while in Paris is a must.

Where to stay in Left Bank

6th Arrondissement featuring a statue or sculpture and a park

6th Arrondissement

5/5(28 area reviews)

Known for its beautiful gardens and charming cafes, there's plenty to explore in 6th Arrondissement. Check out top attractions like Luxembourg Gardens and Saint-Sulpice Church, and jump on the metro at Saint-Sulpice Station or Mabillon Station to see more of the city.

6th Arrondissement
French Academy which includes heritage architecture, heritage elements and signage

Saint-Germain-des-Prés

5/5(33 area reviews)

Known for its charming cafes and popular shops, there's plenty to explore in Saint-Germain-des-Prés. Check out top attractions like Abbey of Saint-Germain-des-Pres and Place Saint-Germain-des-Pres, and jump on the metro at Mabillon Station or Saint-Germain-des-Pres Station to see more of the city.

Saint-Germain-des-Prés
Latin Quarter - Pantheon which includes a fountain and heritage elements

5th Arrondissement

4/5(7 area reviews)

Travellers love 5th Arrondissement for its charming cafes, and you can see more of Paris by jumping on the metro at Maubert-Mutualité Metro Station or Cardinal Lemoine Metro Station. You might spend time checking out top sights like Panthéon and Rue Mouffetard.

5th Arrondissement
Quartier Latin featuring street scenes

Latin Quarter

4.5/5(93 area reviews)

Enjoy the charming cafes in Latin Quarter. Panthéon is a worthwhile stop, and you can jump on the metro at Paris Luxembourg Station or Cluny - La Sorbonne Station to see more of Paris.

Latin Quarter
Montparnasse featuring a garden and a city

Montparnasse

4.5/5(34 area reviews)

Travellers choose Montparnasse for its abundant dining options. Hop aboard the metro at Raspail Station or Edgar Quinet Metro Station and check out top sights like Place Denfert-Rocherau.

Montparnasse
Default Image

Grenelle

Known for its cosy coffee shops and stunning river views, there's plenty to explore in Grenelle. Top attractions like Rue du Commerce and Champ de Mars are major draws, and you can catch the metro at Dupleix Station or Avenue Emile Zola Station to see more of the city.

Grenelle
Pullman Paris Tour Eiffel
Pullman Paris Tour Eiffel
4 out of 5
18 avenue de Suffren, Entrée au 22 rue Jean Rey, Paris, Paris
The price is NZ$610 per night from 20 Nov to 21 Nov
NZ$610
includes taxes & fees
20 Nov - 21 Nov
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in Paris. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the bar ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,124 reviews)
"We had a lovely stay, everything was clean, the view was beautiful, and they catered for my gluten intolerance issue and the food and service were amazing."

Reviewed on 3 Nov. 2024

Pullman Paris Tour Eiffel
Novotel Paris Centre Tour Eiffel
Novotel Paris Centre Tour Eiffel
4 out of 5
61 Quai De Grenelle, Paris, Paris
The price is NZ$331 per night from 23 Nov to 24 Nov
NZ$331
includes taxes & fees
23 Nov - 24 Nov
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in Paris. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 restaurants, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
7.8/10 Good! (1,020 reviews)
"Great"

Reviewed on 3 Nov. 2024

Novotel Paris Centre Tour Eiffel
Aparthotel Adagio Paris Centre Tour Eiffel
Aparthotel Adagio Paris Centre Tour Eiffel
4 out of 5
14 Rue Du Theatre, Paris, Paris
The price is NZ$319 per night from 22 Nov to 23 Nov
NZ$319
includes taxes & fees
22 Nov - 23 Nov
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly aparthotel in Paris. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (194 reviews)
"The room was spotless with a beautiful view. Good location, easy access via walking or metro, and a supermarket round the corner. We would have really appreciated coffee - either a coffee machine or a French press! Also - only one working lift wasn't ideal! The pool was a big disappointment - cracked ..."

Reviewed on 2 Nov. 2024

Aparthotel Adagio Paris Centre Tour Eiffel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Aparthotel Adagio Paris Centre Tour Eiffel
Aparthotel Adagio Paris Centre Tour Eiffel
4 out of 5
14 Rue Du Theatre, Paris, Paris
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly aparthotel in Paris. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (194 reviews)
"The room was spotless with a beautiful view. Good location, easy access via walking or metro, and a supermarket round the corner. We would have really appreciated coffee - either a coffee machine or a French press! Also - only one working lift wasn't ideal! The pool was a big disappointment - cracked ..."

Reviewed on 2 Nov. 2024

Aparthotel Adagio Paris Centre Tour Eiffel
Citadines Tour Eiffel Paris
Citadines Tour Eiffel Paris
4 out of 5
132 Boulevard De Grenelle, Paris, Paris
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly aparthotel in Paris. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,259 reviews)
"They just had a personal ice make for the entire hotel. Other than that it was a nice stay"

Reviewed on 15 Oct. 2024

Citadines Tour Eiffel Paris
Citadines Apart'hotel Saint-Germain-des-Prés Paris
Citadines Apart'hotel Saint-Germain-des-Prés Paris
4 out of 5
53 Ter Quai des Grands Augustins, Paris, Paris
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly aparthotel in Paris. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (3,381 reviews)
"The location was good. The Louvre was about a 25 minute walk. There are plenty of cafes and quick marts nearby. The room itself is spacious. However, the carpet looks worn and the AC fan was noisy, but it did keep the room cool. It’s not luxury, but it provided all the basics and then some."

Reviewed on 27 Oct. 2024

Citadines Apart'hotel Saint-Germain-des-Prés Paris
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Activities

Cities near Left Bank