We have rented an apartment in the St. Germain area. It is Vacation In Paris number 235. Could anyone provide helpful tips on nearby local shops for groceries, snacks, wine and/or restaurants? We love good "local" food and are willing to spend money for good food, but we don't have a desire on this trip to do the "high end" restaurants. Any advice would be appreciated!

http://www.vacationinparis.com/apts/id_235.htm

There is a Monoprix on the Rue de Rennes. If you stand in front of Deux Magots on Blvd St. Germain you will see an Armani store across the street. Monoprix is just a few steps away down the Rue de Rennes.

The Great and Powerful Thingorjus

You can hike east on Blvd. Saint Germain for about 10 minutes to Place Maubert. There is a farmer's market a couple of times a week. There are fish, cheese, wine, bread, meat, etc. shops open daily. I lived a few blocks from there. The cafe across the boulevard is good and reasonable. From Place Maubert make an expedition up the rue Descartes and rue Mouffertard. THIS is Paris.

Hi bg,

In addition, starting at the Eglise St Germaine des Pres:

Rue Buci is about 2 blks East.

About 3 blks South is the Marche' St Germain on Rue Clement.

Many moderate-priced restos on rue Guisarde and surrounding streets, about 2 blk West of the Marche',

Good shopping along rue de Rennes. There is also a market on Boul Raspail between rue du Cherche-Midi and rue de Rennes, Tues and Fri, 7:00 am to 2:30 pm.

See also http://www.paris.world-guides.com/markets.html

Enjoy your stay.

Some of our favorite restaurants are in walking distance of your apt. Chez Fernand and Le Christine on rue Christine, Fish on rue de Seine, Bistot de Paris on rue de Lille, Le Reminet on rue de grand Degres, ze Kitchen Galerie on Bookinstres on rue de Grand Augustins, Del Papa on rue de BUci
Le Espadon Bleu on rue de Grand Augustins. You'll have more than enough places you can walk to. There is a wonderful cheese and wine shop on rue de Seinr can't remember the name. And a large super market , Champion I think on the corner of rue de Seiner and rue de Buci

We really like Le Temps Perdu restaurant at 54 rue de Seine. Also easy walking distance and a nice area to walk around after dinner.

Looks like you're very near the Buci open-air market--fruit, veg, etc. Many boulangeries, patisseries, restaurants, etc. right outside your door, also a fairly large Champion grocery store--where Buci, Rue de Seine and Rue St. Andre des Arts intersect.

bgr8ful: That apt looks perfect for own my plans next year. Please let us know what you think about it and your experience in the area when you come back.

I don't mean to hijack this thread, but the corners of Rue de Buci, Rue de Seine, Rue Dauphine, and Rue de St. Andre des Arts used to have a couple of little cafes, a little flower market, the Hotel Le Regent, etc. Has all of that been bulldozed for the Champion Supermarket?? I may sob uncontrollably...

No kidding! When did the Champion appear? I love that intersection - I go to Gudule every time I'm in Paris, and always stop at one of those cafés!

Not at all. And the Champion brand has disappeared to be replaced by the more internationally recognizable 'Carrefour Market'.

I've pulled myself together. Looking at the map in the link of the OP, this is another block down from Rue Mazarin, Rue Dauphine, etc. This looks closer to where Paul is/was. I'm greatly relieved.

The Champion market doesn't impact the corner with the cafe's and Regent Hotel....it is up about half a block and, to my knowledge, has been in the same location for years. No bulldozing was ever necessary.

I agree JUdy, It'sd been there for at least 15 years as I remember. We stay nearby and have for more years than most people on here have bee around!1

The Champion supermarket has been there many many years.

You all are the best! Thank you so much! I will post information regarding the apartment when we return. On a side note - VIP informed us that the place we originally rented had an elevator that was not working, they were very helpful in finding us another place and even offered us a full refund if they couldn't help find a new place.

Definitely try Gerard Mulot on Rue de Seine for wonderful pastries.

Sorry I caused a stir about Champion, while it can be accessed from rue St. Andre des Arts and from Rue de Buci, the corner belongs to Paul. It's not very large and has been there awhile, but remodeled a few years ago. When the market is on it almost hides the Buci entrance. Still many, many small shops and restaurants on all the streets in the area.

Avalon: Not to highjack this thread, but remember the REALLY good bakery on rue de Buci, east of rue de Seine, a few steps away from the deli...well, it's gone! I nearly had a fit! I was just back in Paris, last month, and a friend came with me. So, I sent him out for the morning croissants and told him to go to that bakery and not to Pauls. It was across from Pauls.

Well, he was gone for quite a while and came back with croissants from Pauls, saying that he couldn't find it. I thought he was just really jetlagged, as it's a 2-minute walk from the apartment that I was renting. I then went over there and it was GONE! I've gotten croissants from there since 1981 when I moved into that neighborhood. There's a bunch of construction going on in that block and I think the bakery's space has been taken over by a to-be candy shop! I hardly recognized that block and I was just there also in August 2009, when that block looked normal and my old bakery was there. Happy Travels!

hi,

we stayed in an apt VERY close to your location last fall ... maybe something useful in my TR for you? http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...-october-9.cfm

have a great trip!!!