Saint-Paul

Despite the gradual closure of small shops replaced by design galleries, the Saint-Paul neighborhood still hides a few hidden gems, provided you search in the right places and open the doors of the right shops, sometimes hidden deep in the courtyards.

A major cultural center

Nestled near the highly coveted district of Le Marais, the village of Saint-Paul is steeped in history and culture. The neighborhood is home to superb museums, 16th and 17th-century mansions, and grand buildings that are fabulous witnesses to the history of France. Among these monuments, the recently renovated Saint-Paul-Saint-Louis Church shines with its baroque style. Built by the Jesuits with financial assistance from Louis XIII and Cardinal Richelieu, it was the latter who laid the foundation stone in 1634. The construction was completed only seven years later. Charged with history, this church holds within its walls the memory of royalty, the Revolution, and the Concordat.

Another trace of history is the former Royal Square of Paris. Located north of the village of Saint-Paul and renamed Place des Vosges in 1800, it is the oldest square in Paris, just before Place Dauphine. Lined all along by tall buildings, all in red bricks with blue slate roofs, Place des Vosges is now known worldwide as the residence of several influential personalities from the political, artistic, and media worlds. Victor Hugo, in particular, stayed there.

Finally, not far from the village of Saint-Paul, a long wall adorned with towers intrigues passers-by: these are the last remains of the Philippe Auguste Wall dating back to the 11th and 12th centuries when Paris was still completely surrounded by a protective wall against invaders.

A village within the city

Located between Rue Saint-Antoine and the Seine, the Village Saint-Paul is now home to over 80 designer boutiques, antique shops, and art galleries, whose doors you can push open every day, including Sundays. Some shops are more hidden than others, and you will have to enter the small paved courtyards of the village to discover them. This is the place to be for an original and high-quality shopping experience, especially when it comes to home-related items: furniture, lighting, artworks, decorations... There's something for every taste! For those who prefer flea markets to shops, it is also in these streets that many wanderers looking for antique objects come to lose themselves.

Over time, the Village Saint-Paul has managed to maintain a calm and authentic atmosphere, making it a delightful place to wander. Around the paved courtyard, painters, carpenters, and other artisans work or showcase their works in the open air. Whether in the shops or the flea markets, don't hesitate to negotiate prices and engage in conversations with the exhibitors who are always delighted to share their passion and treasures with the curious.