Part of my interview series, this one hails from the 7th district of Paris. Enjoy these insights and insider tips from Benoît, un vrai Parisien, who wouldn’t live anywhere else in Paris.
I first met Benoît and his wife, Anne, as my landlords in the 7th district of Paris. Little did I know, despite confinements, curfews and their travel schedule that we would become friends.
It was my first time staying on the left bank and Paris’s 7th district turned out to be a winner. The 7th arrondissement of Paris and rue du Bac, in particular, was my home for eight months during COVID-19.
I had the great pleasure of interviewing Benoît on a fall day in 2021 to find out his insights on living in the 7th district of Paris. The 7th, in the spiral of Paris arrondissements, (read more on the arrondissements of Paris) is neighbours with Saint-Germain des Prés. You’ll find locations mentioned in this interview in the 7th and 6th arrondissements of Paris.
A long time resident of the left bank of Paris, Benoît’s answers are both charming and authentic. I hope you enjoy reading this interview as much as I had doing it.
Note: I interviewed Benoît in French and therefore have kept the French intact and added my version of the English translation.
And Who Is Benoît?
Je suis un parisien qui aime sa ville mais aime aussi en sortir pour voyager.
J’habite Paris depuis 40 ans et j’ai vécu dans le 18ième et le 7ième. Dans le 18ième notre voisin était Jean Marais. Il garait sa petite 2CV à côté de ma vielle R5 d’étudiant pourrie. Il m’impressionait par sa beauté, encore a 80 ans passés.
I am a Parisian who likes his city but also likes to go on trips!
I’ve lived in Paris for 40 years and lived in the 18th arrondissement and the 7th. In the 18th, our neighbour was Jean Marais. He parked his Citroën 2CV beside my old, rotten Renault 5. I was impressed by his beauty, even though he was 80 years old.
What Are Your Favourite Things About The 7th District Of Paris?
J’aime l’élégance du 7 ième, même si avec nos amis, nous avons un peu des airs de dinosaures avec nos tenues assez formelles et nos codes vestimentaires particuliers. J’aime y vivre comme dans un village.
I like the elegance of the 7th district, even if with our friends, we look a bit like dinosaurs with our fairly formal outfits and our particular dress codes. I like living as if in a village.
What Are Your Favourite Things To Do In Your Neighbourhood, the 7th?
J’aime particulièrement me promener, flâner jusqu’au Luxembourg où je vais lire, dessiner, bavarder. Ou bien longer la Seine par les quais, au niveau de l’eau.
I particularly like to walk, to stroll to the Luxembourg where I will read, draw, chat. Or go along the Seine by the quays, at water level.
Which Is Your Favourite Park In The 7th District Of Paris?
Mon parc préféré est le Luxembourg car il donne sur le très beau palais du Luxembourg et possède une multitude de recoins avec chacun leur ambiance particulière.
En revanche, je n’aime guère les Tuileries, bien que plus proches de chez moi, car elles sont envahies par la poussière du fait de leurs longues allées rectilignes et un peu mornes
My favourite park is the Luxembourg because it overlooks the very beautiful Luxembourg Palace and has a multitude of nooks, each with its own particular atmosphere.
On the other hand, I don’t really like the Tuileries, although they are closer to my home because they are invaded by dust due to their long straight and somewhat dreary alleys.
Read More | Read about the Luxembourg Gardens and how to enjoy yourself as the French do.
Tell About Some Of The “Best” In Your Quartier
Benoît and Anne’s Favourite Restaurant in the 7th District, Paris
Mon restaurant préféré est le Petit St. Benoit (rue St Benoit) car on y sert une bonne cuisine française traditionnelle et on y rencontre toujours des gens sympathiques du fait que le restaurant est aménagé en grandes tables où on se côtoie volontiers en nouant conversation.
My favourite restaurant is le Petit St. Benoit (rue St Benoit), because they serve good, traditional French cuisine and we always meet friendly people there because the restaurant is set up with large tables where we are happy to meet and strike up a conversation.
Anne’s Favourite Café in the 7th District
Le café préféré de mon épouse est le St. Germain, poste d’observation exceptionnel entre rue du Bac et Bd St. Germain, où les habitués vont au comptoir prendre un café avec les croissants faits maison.
My wife’s favourite café is Le St. Germain, an exceptional observation point between rue du Bac and Blvd. St. Germain, where regulars go to the counter for a coffee and homemade croissants.
The Three Best Places To Flâner On The Left Bank
Pour flâner, il faut aller vers la place Furstenberg (à l’ombre de l’église St. Germain des Prés), ou vers St Sulpice et les petites rues adjacentes ou bien aller du côté de la rue du Bac et la rue St Placide.
To stroll, you have to go to the Place Furstenberg, in the shadows of the St. Germain des Prés church, or to St Sulpice and the small adjacent streets or go to rue du Bac and rue St. Placide.
Read More| Not sure how to flâner or how to embrace the magic of being a flâneur/flâneuse? Here is how to flâner in Paris.
What Are The Hidden Gems Of The 7th District?
Les trésors cachés du quartier sont les hôtels particuliers, en général du XVIII iéme siècle dont les salons ornés de dorures, les escaliers d’apparat et les parcs arborés ne se visitent jamais. Pour y pénétrer, il faut connaître les habitants de l’hôtel, à quelques exceptions près, plus ou moins ouvertes au public comme la mairie du 7ième, certaines ambassades ou institutions religieuses ( missions étrangères), ou ministères.
The hidden treasures of the 7th district are the mansions, generally, from the 18th century, whose lounges adorned with gilding, the ceremonial stairs and the wooded parks are never visited. To enter, you have to know the inhabitants of the “hôtel particulier” (mansion), with a few exceptions, more or less open to the public such as the town hall (mairie) of the 7th district, certain embassies or religious institutions (foreign missions), or ministries.
Note: Some of the embassies and the Missions Etrangères may be open during Heritage Days in September. Check the schedules here.
Is There A Local Historical Anecdote Or Story That You Would Like To Share?
J’habite rue de l’Université, rue rectiligne tout comme les rues de Lille et rue de Verneuil car toutes trois ètaient les allées du jardin de la reine Margot, qu’elle avait acheté à l’université de Paris au début du XVII ième siècle. Ainsi, le tracé des rues reprend un plan vieux de 400 ans!
Et le quartier s’est loti à la construction du pont Royal qui a remplacé l’ancien bac et a permis de desenclaver toute cette zone.
I live on rue de l’Université, a straight street just like the rue de Lille and rue de Verneuil because all three were alleys in the garden of Queen Margot, which she had bought from the University of Paris at the beginning of the 17th century. Thus the street layout is based on a 400-year-old plan!
And the district became part of the construction of the Pont Royal which replaced the old ferry and opened up the entire area.
Note: At the end of rue du Bac, there was once a ferry that carried the aristocracy over to the Louvre Palace. The replacement of the ferry (bac) with the Pont Royal, opened the left bank and the 7th district up! ( Of course, I learned this from Benoît).
And What About The Shopping?
Des livres, bien sûr à la Procure (St Sulpice), chez Gallimard (Bd Raspail) ou à l’Écume des Pages (Bd St Germain).
Books, of course at la Procure (St Sulpice), chez Gallimard (Bd Raspail) or at l’Écume des Pages (Bd St Germain).
Read More | If you’re looking for English bookstores in Paris here are my favourite bookstores.
What Is Your Favourite Way To Spend A Saturday In Paris?
Le samedi selon le temps, je vais me promener, ou voir une exposition, puis je dîne au coin du feu en tête à tête avec mon épouse: plateau de fruits de mer ou ris de veau ou côte de boeuf, le tout arrosé d’un vin soigneusement choisi dans ma cave.
On Saturdays, depending on the weather, I go for a walk or see an exhibition, then I dine by the fire face to face with my wife: seafood platter, sweetbread or beef ribs, all elegantly paired with a wine carefully chosen from my cellar.
The Parisian Life: Is There Something Else You Would Like To Share?
La vie parisienne ce sont les expositions, les théâtres, les opéras, les ballets, et surtout les amis: pour moi revenir à Paris, c’est programmer des soirées merveilleuses avec les personnes que j’aime, me remplir les yeux de beauté, de nouveauté, et repartir heureux pour de nouveaux voyages.
Parisian life is exhibitions, theatre, operas, ballets, and above all friends: for me coming back to Paris means planning wonderful evenings with the people I love, filling my eyes with beauty, novelty, and leaving happy for new journeys.
Et voilà! I hope Benoît gave you a feel for the village life in the 7th district of Paris. I bet you’ll never walk over the Pont Royal again without thinking of the “bac” from long ago.
Until next time,
Other Parisian Interviews In The Series:
Iva lives in the Marais district in Paris. Here are all her insider tips for le Marais.
More Travel Info…
Paris Travel Resources:
All my Paris resources are right here on this page. The guide to all 20 arrondissements is a popular post that will help you plan a fabulous trip.
Where To Find That Village Feel in Paris:
Le Marais is one of the oldest areas of Paris. Once marshland, it is full of boutiques, cafés, gorgeous old mansions and museums. Read my full guide to le Marais.
Montmartre feels like a small village. This post on Montmartre leads you to the most popular sites as well as some lesser-known places on the hill.
Ile Saint-Louis is still one of my favourite spots in Paris. On Pont Saint-Louis, you’ll almost always find some street music.
Don’t forget to stroll by the canal under chestnut trees by Canal Saint-Martin and eat at some great restaurants in Canal Saint-Martin.
And the 14th arrondissement. Most people think of the tall black tower looming over the Paris skyline or the train station. This guide on Montparnasse uncovers some marvellous things to discover in the 14th arrondissement.
If you like being by the water, Ile aux Cygnes in the Seine might be for you! The Statue of Liberty, views of the Eiffel Tower and locals walking their dogs!
Food Suggestions: Read about where to find the best croissants in Paris. And, if you have a sweet tooth like me, check out these best pâtisseries to try. If you are travelling to Paris in January, keep your eyes open for this very delicious treat.
What about cheese? Here are suggestions of which French cheese to savour and which fromageries are the best in Paris.
Travelling to Paris alone? This article on navigating Paris alone is full of tips and tricks for the solo traveller.
Paris Tips: This page has all my articles on Paris that will help you plan out your trip, including day trips from Paris. I hope you subscribed to my newsletter to get my free download – An Amazing 2-day Itinerary in Paris.
France Travel Information: If you are going further afield in France, make sure to check out my page on France.
Enjoyed reading your interview, Alison! Seems like your stars were aligned when you rented your Paris apartment from Benoit and Anne! So happy for you that you are back in your beloved Paris xx
Thanks, Pam! I’m always so happy to return!