A guide to some of the most exciting museums, historical sites, and attractions in the Saint-Germain-des-Prés neighbourhood.

Museums, Attractions & Activities

Musée Eugène Delacroix - Musée Maillol - Musée Zadkine - Musée du Luxembourg - Beaux-Arts de Paris (École Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts)

Musée Eugène Delacroix

Painter Eugène Delacroix is one of France’s national treasures as well as one of their most notable artists, his oeuvre (collection of works) revered around the world for their magnitude, attention to detail, and use of colour. Considered an individualist, while also one of the leaders of the French romantic period, his works quickly showcased his talent, making his entrance into the art world all the more impressive. Unlike his counterparts, Delacroix began by making debut at the Paris Salon with his painting Dante and Virgil in Hell, inspired by Dante’s Divine Comedy. When looking at his masterpieces, it is easy to see how his style lead the French Romantic period to the next significant artistic movement – Impressionism.  

Throughout his works, one can spot inspiration from fellow masters, like Peter Paul Rubens, as well as his friends and counterparts. Subjects and inspiration also tended to stem from fellow Romanticists of the time, specifically poets like Lord Byron. Having received a thorough education with a comfortable upbringing, Delacroix’s understanding of classic literature and history is clear throughout his oeuvre.

This museum, which was once his apartment and studio, houses over 1000 of his works, including sketches, paintings, drawings, prints, and writings (he attempted to write his own novels and short stories). Personal belongings are also on display, including some of his correspondence, allowing you to witness how the Delacroix lived and with whom he conversed.

Practical Information: Open daily, except Tuesday, from 9:30am-5:30pm. General admission is €7; enjoy free entry on the first Sunday of the month and on Bastille Day. Please note, hours and admission are subject to change, check HERE for the most up-to-date information.

How to Get There: Metro stations Mabillon (M10) and Saint-Germain-des-Prés (M4) are both within a 3-minute walk of this museum. Tucked into a little courtyard, it’s easy to overlook this museum, but if walking along Blvd. Saint-Germain, turn onto Passage de la Petite Boucherie, which becomes Rue Cardinale, leading you to Place de Furstenberg. In this square, you’ll find the Musée Delacroix

Musée Maillol

Another sculpture museum in Paris, though often overlooked for some of its more famous counterparts, the Musée Maillol focuses on the works of this famed artist, including his smaller and more delicate sculptures, paintings, and works experimenting with other mediums and materials. You’ll also find a small collection of works by Maillol’s contemporaries, including Picasso, Matisse, Money, Degas and Cézanne. These works by various artists were all collected by Dina Vierny, a former model for Maillol – the works displayed in an 18th century townhouse. Despite a small closure in 2015, the museum is back open and running.

There is a café on site, that offers some salads and light meals, as well as dessert. While closed during COVID-19, this small café is typically open during museums hours and offers Wifi.

Practical Information: Open daily during exhibitions from 10:30am-6:30pm, with late openings on Fridays until 8:30pm. General admission is €13.50, which includes a free audioguide for permanent collections; audioguides are €3 for temporary exhibitions. Please note, the museum’s hours and admission are subject to change, please check HERE for the most up-to-date information.

How to Get There: Take the metro to station Rue du Bac (M12), the museum is within a 2-minute walk of the station.

Musée Zadkine

While not nearly as famous as the Rodin museum, this sculpture museum in Paris is well worth your time and attention. Admittedly, this museum is not in the Saint-Germain neighbourhood, but it’s so close, it’d be a shame to pass it up, especially after you’ve walked through the Jardin du Luxembourg. Focusing on the works of Russian sculptor Ossip Zadkine, a trip to this museum allows you to skip a trip to Russia, while you continue your education on art through sculpture. While his style began as Cubist, he later evolved his style to create his own unique approach, with influences from Cubism along with Greek and African art. Though this museum predominantly focuses on his sculptures, some of his exploration into other mediums are on display, including painting, tapestry and photography. 

This museum is located in Zadkine’s former studio and apartment. While it was turned into a museum shortly after his widow’s death – she gifted the apartment and studio to the city – it was recently refurbished to better showcase the artist’s works and welcome tourists.

Practical Information: Open daily, except Mondays and some public holidays, from 10am-6pm. Admission to the permanent collection is free but when temporary exhibitions are on, an admission fee is charged, changing based on the exhibit. Hours and admission are subject to change, please check HERE for the most up-to-date information. ***PLEASE NOTE THAT THE MUSEUM IS TEMPORARILY CLOSED UNTIL NOVEMBER 2020 IN PREPARATION FOR AN UPCOMING EXHBIT.

How to Get There: If not visiting this museum after a stroll through the gardens or the Montparnasse neighbourhood, you can take the metro to various stations within a short walk of the museum, including Port-Royal (RER B), Notre-Dame-des-Champs (M12), Vavin (M4), and Luxembourg (RER B).

Musée du Luxembourg

The Musée du Luxembourg may not host a permanent collection, but instead welcomes visitors to explore constantly changing exhibitions, with two main exhibits per year often focusing on one artist in particular. While the collection – regardless of the exhibition – is always worth exploring, the museum itself makes for an interesting stop when wandering around the Saint-Germain and Latin Quarter, as its the oldest public museum in Paris.

In recent years, the famed chocolateria and teahouse Angelina was added, allowing visitors to escape the crowds at the original location on Rue de Rivoli. If not going for the art, visit the Musée du Luxembourg for the sugar rush you’ll undoubtedly indulge in while at Angelina.

Practical Information: Open daily during exhibitions from 10:30am-7pm, with late openings on Mondays until 10pm. General admission ranges between €12 - €13, depending on the exhibit. For a guided tour, which is just over an hour and lead by a designated tour guide, it costs €18. Please note, the museum’s hours and admission are subject to change, please check HERE for the most up-to-date information, as well as to see the dates of the current and upcoming exhbitions.

How to Get There: If going by public transport, get off the subway at one of the following stations: Saint Sulpice (M4), Mabillon (M10), or Luxembourg (RER B).

École Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts

A famed art school in Paris, housed in the Saint-Germain neighbourhood, this campus is only partially open to the public. Specifically, only the temporary exhibitions are open to the public, the campus only accessible via guided tour.

How to Get There: Best scene when crossing one of the many bridges along the Seine, you can take the subway to the Louvre-Rivoli (M1) station and cross the Pont des Arts, or hop off at station Pont Neuf (M7) and cross the famous bridge the station is named after. To take the subway to a closer station, Mabillon (M10) and Saint-Germain-des-Prés (M4) are both less than a 10-minute walk.