Are Saint Germaine and Saint Germain des Pres the exact same area?? Are the hotels actually on Saint Germain Blvd more sought after for their convenience and ambience> What is your fave?

They are the same, the confusion maybe coming from, the street is Blvd. St-Germain, the church, St-Germain-des-Peres, but it's all the 6th. The only hotel I can really recall on Blvd. St-Germain, is the Madison, which looks very nice as it is set back from the street. This is a very busy street and I'd be sure the windows of any hotel I stayed in there were double-glazed. Every little side street has an abundance of mainly charming small hotels, I think we all have our favorite streets! Mine in Rue Jacob, lots of hotels, far enough away from Blvd. to be quiet at night, Rue de Buci , Rue Dauphine, Rue christine, and on and on all have their fans. You could not go far wrong in choosing the 6th.

Not to be confused with St Germain-en-Laye, just outside Paris.

No one has taken a can of spray paint and marked out boundaries for Saint Germain des Pres, but the area of le village de Saint-Germain-des-Pres <BR>is described in most guide books as the area between St. Sulpice and the Seine. <BR>I am not sure how far east and west most people extend the imaginary boundaries of the area. <BR>The boulevard itself runs from the Seine near the Assemblee National southeast to <BR>the Arab Institute. Boulevard Raspail and Rue des Rennes intersect it along the way. Around the intersections of Boulevard Saint Germain with Saint Germain des Pres, Rue de Rennes and Boulevard St. Michel, you can find many eating and drinking establishments. <BR>If you are looking for activity, hunt for the brightest lights and the most crowded sidewalks. There are more than enough places to take legally all of your money in short order, unless your bankroll runs to 6 figures. <BR>

Thank You! <BR> <BR>Rita

I think St-Germain has become a shorthand way of referring to St-Germain-des-Pres. I think of the St-Germain-des-Pres area as the area radiating out in all directions from the church of the same name (the oldest church in Paris.) <BR> <BR>Here's a website with a little info. about the area: <BR> <BR>http://www.imageol.com/paris/St.%20G...%20Germain.cfm <BR> <BR> <BR>Jody, ever since I stayed on Rue Jacob over Thanksgiving weekend in 1994 (at the Hotel Deux Continents...we had a top-floor room with a balcony, and classic Parisian rooftop view!), I've been hooked on that area. I especially love all the cafes, art galleries, fabric shops, and the wonderful little Rue de Buci street market.

Capo: Just one small correction (sorry). <BR>The OLDEST church in Paris is said to be Saint-Julien-le-Pauvre (very small)close to Eglise Saint-Séverin (both in the 5th) in the Quartier Latin. Dropped in by chance at Saint-Julien during a greek-orthodox Easter mass, it's was memorable. I'll never forget it.

Merci, Ursula. I've heard that both churches are the oldest and, when I read on the website I posted that St-Germain-des-Pres was the oldest, I just did my best parrot impersonation and repeated that. :~) <BR> <BR>Saint-Julien-le-Pauvre is one of my favorite Parisian churches. And I love the tiny square, Square Vivani, that's nearby.

Capo: If we continue with the "oldest", one other info: On the Square Viviani you'll find the oldest tree of Paris (apparently). Can't remember the year it was planted though. I think around 1600. And yes, Square Viviani is pretty and nice to relax from tourist hordes!! ;-)

Hi Ursula. Yes, I'm also familar with that knarly, and (supposedly) oldest, tree in Paris, that's in the Square Viviani. Thanks for the reminder.