Villa Des Princes

Main attractions: Just west of the Latin Quarter in the direction of the Eiffel Tower, St. Germain des Prés is flanked by two Parisian gems—the Luxembourg Gardens to the south and the banks of the Seine to the north. The iconic neighborhood borrows its name from the church of St. Germain des Prés. It is defined by the boulevard of the same name, which slices through the quarter’s winding streets. The neighborhood is anchored by the Eglise Saint Sulpice and its lovely square where you can grab a coffee on the outside terrace of the scruffy institution that is the Café de la Mairie and watch the world strut by.

Neighborhood atmosphere: This is an eternally fashionable, tony neighborhood with plenty of upscale appeal.

Affordability: Everything costs a little bit more here; from cocktails to double rooms. St. Germain's designer fashion boutiques and world famous cafés pack the neighborhood, as do the many tourists who consider it the only place to be. If you do too, St. Germain is home to some moderately expensive (and quite charming) hotels.

Stay Here If: You want to stay in a storied, tourist-friendly Parisian neighborhood in the center of town that was once the literary heart of Paris and is now more known for luxury brand shopping.

Stay Elsewhere If: You don’t want to be surrounded by tourists who throng the area chasing Hemingway’s ghost.