Rue de Grenelle Neighborhood:  Fashion, Food, and Famous Sights

Shopping

There is a Bruno Magli steps from the apartment and Prada is on the corner.  There are countless other fashion forward shops dotting the surrounding streets--Sonia Rykiel, Nathalie Garcon, Cacharel, Bonpoint (known for beautiful children's wear, with an outlet at 82 rue de Grenelle), Yves St. Laurent and many more.  The famous Bon Marché department store is a short walk away.

Antiques

If it's serious art and antiques you covet, we would direct you to the Carré Rive Gauche, also within short walking distance from the apartment.  Starting on the Quai Voltaire across from the Louvre, the Carré is bounded by the rue du Bac, the Quai Voltaire, the rue des Saints-Pères and the rue de l'Université.

According to the book, Tout Paris, The Source Guide to The Art of French Decoration, "The merchants in this tight little enclave make it one of the greatest art and antiques markets in the world.  A wide variety of specialties is covered, from old masters to contemporary paintings.  You will also find some of the best examples of museum quality antique furniture along with some of the more eclectic disciplines such as old engravings, archeological artifacts, porcelain, ethnic art, tapestries and carpets.  You'll discover for yourself that most of the dealers are extremely qualified in their field."

"Every year, during the month of May, the Carré Rive Gauche hold a 'red carpet' open house.  The pavements are literally carpeted in red and traffic is barred from late afternoon to evening's end.  Most establishments will welcome you with a smile and a glass of champagne."

If you are a lover of the French decorative arts you should not miss the lovely home furnishings and French fabric houses (all open to the public unlike our design centers in the U.S.A.) near the intersection of rue Bonaparte and rue Jacob in the 6th, also within easy walking distance of the apartment. Many of the clerks that work there speak English and in our experience are friendly.

Culinary Treats

We discovered a wonderful souffle restaurant (La Cigale on rue Chomel), the local chocolaterie (Maison du Chocolat on rue de Sèvres), and other edible delights.  On rue du Cherche Midi there is a delicious breakfast bakery (coffee and pastries) as well as the famous Pôilane, known for its hearty pain de campagne and apple tarts.  Pôilane products are also sold in other eateries throughout the city.  Recommended restaurants nearby are L'Epi Dupin on rue Dupin, Le Petit Saint-Benoit on rue Saint Benoit and Au Sauvignon on rue des Saint Pères.  A little farther away but still in the 7th is the very special L'Arpège on rue de Varenne.

In addition, two of the best fromageries (cheese shops) in all of Paris are close at hand:  Barthelemy at 51 rue de Grenelle and Androuet at 82 rue St. Dominique.  The Bon Marché (department store and l'Epicerie for fine foods) is a few blocks away, making take-out dining a snap…don’t forget our wheeled cart for carrying heavy items home!  Monoprix on rue de Rennes is a less expensive option for groceries, with very good wines for 5 euros a bottle. 

Don’t miss the marché biologique (organic market) on Sunday mornings.  It’s on Boulevard Raspail between rue de Rennes and rue du Cherche Midi.  The market has coffee and hot chocolate, pastries, cheeses, and beautiful fruits and vegetables.

Cultural Delights

We don’t live on food and fashion alone, so let us first point out attractions located right in  the 7^th:  the Musee d’Orsay, Rodin Museum, Les Invalides (Napoleon’s Tomb) and the attached Army Museum, and last, but certainly not least, the Eiffel Tower.  Les Invalides are a fairly long walk, and the Eiffel Tower is best reached by Metro (try getting out at Trocadero for the best approaching view).  Our part of the 7^th is actually adjacent to the 6^th, and all the attractions of St. Germain des Pres are close at hand.  This is the famous Latin Quarter and its hallmark cafes are a very short walk away.  Chose among Les Deux Magots (meeting place of surrealist authors such as Aragon and Breton, and painters including Man Ray and Miro), Café Le Flore (frequented by Sartre and DeBeauvoir as well as Picasso and Camus), and Brasserie Lipp (patronized by DeGaulle and James Joyce).  The Jardins des Luxembourg, also in the 6th, is a mere ten minutes' walk from the apartment.

Of course you can quickly reach other parts of the city using the Metro.  Three stops are within easy walking distance:  rue du Bac, Sèvres Babylone, and St. Germain des Prés.  The Paris Museum Pass purchased for one, three, or five days is great for adults because it covers your admission and lets you into museums without waiting in the line to buy tickets – this can be a huge advantage during the busy summer season.  Buy the pass in any metro stop.

Guidebooks, restaurant guides, maps, literature about Paris, and our collection of Paris Notes (a monthly newsletter) are in the apartment for your use. 

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