Montparnasse, Paris: Why to Stay in This Area

Montparnasse, Paris Is Montparnasse dangerous? Is Montparnasse safe? Where to stay in Montparnasse / Hotels in Montparnasse What to do in Montparnasse Where to eat in Montparnasse / Restaurants in Montparnasse What to do in Paris each month of the year / What to do in Paris during each season / Paris itineraries for 1 to 5 days / What NOT to do in Paris DISCOUNTS AND GIFTS for readers of paris-story.com: download the vouchers

Montparnasse is a neighborhood in the 14th arrondissement of Paris that - although it is not as central as the areas we describe in this article - is interesting, safe, with beautiful architecture and excellent infrastructure for tourists (transportation, hotels, restaurants, cultural programs, etc.).

Some Paris arrondissements are so large that they have pleasant areas and others that are not so much, areas with abundant public transportation and others with little or none, areas with good restaurants and others with dubious options, areas with museums and theaters and others that are a true cultural desert.

Montparnasse is exactly the 'good' part of the 14th arrondissement when it comes to tourism. We are referring to a very precise area, bounded by Boulevard Montparnasse (between Place Montparnasse Bienvenue and Port Royal) and Boulevard Raspail (between Denfert Rochereau and Boulevard Montparnasse). We will take the liberty to include in our boundary of the Montparnasse area, a part of the neighboring 6th arrondissement, as this area is more related to the atmosphere of Montparnasse.

One advantage of staying in Montparnasse is that hotels in this area tend to be cheaper (or less expensive) than in more touristy, central neighborhoods near the Seine River.

Click here to read our article with tips for good hotels in central Paris.

Montparnasse has several metro stations and many buses pass through the area.

It also has the Montparnasse train station. From this gare you can reach the Palace of Versailles.

The main metro station in the area and one of the main ones in Paris is Montparnasse - Bienvenüe, where five metro lines pass.

From Montparnasse - Bienvenüe metro station, you can reach several tourist locations directly in Paris: the Orsay Museum (line 12); Saint Germain (iconic neighborhood of Paris - line 4); Île de la Cité to visit the Notre Dame cathedral, and you are almost in Le Marais (line 4); Place de la Concorde (line 12); Champs Elysées Avenue and Arc de Triomphe (line 6); Eiffel Tower (line 6); Montmartre (line 12).

From Montparnasse, you can also walk to Saint Germain and to the Luxembourg Gardens, one of the most beautiful in the city. You can also walk to Place Denfert Rochereau. At this square, you have the RER B train station that connects Paris to Charles de Gaulle Airport and Orly Airport. And from Montparnasse train station, it is a 35-minute walk to the Eiffel Tower.

For those who enjoy exploring cities on foot, Montparnasse is a great location.

Montparnasse is a safe neighborhood, like most of the city of Paris. Don't worry.

The biggest danger in Paris is pickpockets who operate in crowded areas like museum lines and monuments, as well as inside museums, monuments, and metro stations and cars.

To protect yourself against pickpockets: carry your bag and backpack facing the front of your body, and do not put wallets, documents, or phones in your back pockets or the external pockets of your coats.

Hôtel Odessa Montparnasse | Booking rating: very good / 8.4 | Click here for rates, photos, and to make your reservation.

Lenox Montparnasse | Booking rating: fabulous / 8.8 | Click here for rates, photos, and to make your reservation.

Hôtel A La Villa des Artistes | Booking rating: fabulous / 8.6 | Click here for rates, photos, and to make your reservation.

Hôtel Le Royal Rive Gauche | Booking rating: fabulous / 8.5 | Click here for rates, photos, and to make your reservation.

Citadines Montparnasse Paris | Booking rating: fabulous / 8.0 | Click here for rates, photos, and to make your reservation.

Hôtel Aiglon | Booking rating: fabulous / 8.7 | Many readers have already stayed at this hotel and all were satisfied. Click here for rates, photos, and to make your reservation.

Hôtel Léopold | Booking rating: very good / 8.5 | Same situation: many readers have already stayed at this hotel and all were satisfied. Click here for rates, photos, and to make your reservation.

Pullman Montparnasse | Booking rating: very good / 8.4 | This hotel is different from the two mentioned in some ways. In addition to being a higher category, the hotel is huge, with contemporary architecture, restaurants, sports rooms, and conference rooms. Some people prefer this type of classic hotel from large chains. Others seek typically French, smaller, and more charming hotels. Click here for rates, photos, and to make your reservation.

Ibis Paris Gare Montparnasse | Booking rating: good / 7.3 | Click here for rates, photos, and to make your reservation.

Ibis Paris Tour Montparnasse | Booking rating: good / 7.5 | Click here for rates, photos, and to make your reservation.

Montparnasse is not the neighborhood where the most important museums in Paris are located. But it does have a few other, more discreet addresses, for those looking for Paris outside of the international tourist routes.

Fondation Cartier for Contemporary Art. Founded in 1984, this foundation aims to promote various aspects of contemporary French and international culture. It encompasses all areas, from design to photography, painting to video, fashion to live performances. The building was designed by the great architect Jean Nouvel. Each year it organizes thematic exhibitions commissioned to artists. The foundation's garden is also worth a visit. Address: 261 Boulevard Raspail, 75014. Metro Raspail, lines 4 and 6.

Zadkine Museum. This museum is dedicated to the Russian sculptor Ossip Zadkine. This location was his home and studio until his death in 1967. The Zadkine Museum is located near the Luxembourg Gardens. It showcases the entire body of work of the artist, including sculptures, paintings, and photographs. The museum's garden is a peaceful oasis in the heart of the city. Address: 100 bis Rue d'Assas, 75006. Metro Vavin, line 4. The museum is free.

Bourdelle Museum. Dedicated to the French sculptor Antoine Bourdelle. This location was his home and studio from 1885 until his death in 1929. It houses sculptures by the artist, as well as his prototypes, photographs, documents, furniture, and more. There is also an annex where various temporary exhibitions are held. Address: 18 Rue Antoine-Bourdelle, 75015. Metro lines 4, 6, 12, and 13; Montparnasse - Bienvenüe station. The museum is free.

At the intersection of Boulevard Raspail and Boulevard Montparnasse, there is a famous sculpture honoring the writer Balzac created by Auguste Rodin, one of the most well-known French artists in the world.

The Catacombs of Paris. Visiting the catacombs is an adventure that interests both adults and teenagers. The tour covers 2 km with a constant temperature of 14 degrees. You will traverse tunnels from the historic limestone mine that later served as a resting place for the dead buried in central Paris. Address: 1 Avenue du Colonel Henri Rol-Tanguy, 75014. Metro Denfert-Rochereau, lines 4 and 6.

The view of the Eiffel Tower from the top of the Montparnasse Tower. Without a doubt, the top of this tower offers a stunning view of Paris. Climbing it isn't charming, but up there you'll see the majestic Eiffel Tower. Address: 33 Avenue du Maine, 75015. Metro lines 4, 6, 12, and 13; Montparnasse - Bienvenüe station.

The open-air market on Boulevard Raspail: On Tuesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, one of the most charming street markets in Paris takes place. It operates in the morning and specializes in organic fruits, vegetables, and greens. Click here to see the video we made about this market.

Montparnasse Cemetery: where notable figures such as Charles Baudelaire, Jean-Paul Sartre, Simone de Beauvoir, Samuel Beckett, Guy de Maupassant, and Serge Gainsbourg are buried. Address: 3 Boulevard Edgar Quinet, 75014. Metro lines 4, 6, 12, and 13; Montparnasse - Bienvenüe station.

Montparnasse is home to many traditional and famous brasseries in Paris which were frequented by artists and intellectuals from the late 19th century to the mid-20th century.

The regulars of these restaurants included: Pablo Picasso, Ezra Pound, Man Ray, Henri Cartier-Bresson, Henry Miller, Renoir, Monet, Sisley, Pissarro, Émile Zola, Paul Cézanne, Théophile Gautier, Charles Baudelaire, Ernest Hemingway, Francis Scott Fitzgerald, Gertrude Stein, etc.

On Boulevard Montparnasse is one of the most traditional brasseries in Paris: La Rotonde. For centuries, La Rotonde has been a preferred meeting point in the city. Address: 105 Boulevard du Montparnasse, 75006. Metro line 4, Vavin station.

On the same boulevard, in front of La Rotonde, is Le Dôme, a traditional restaurant for seafood lovers. Address: 108 Boulevard du Montparnasse, 75014. Metro line 4, Vavin station.

La Coupole is one of those must-visit places for returning tourists to Paris. Famous, traditional, beautiful with its art nouveau decor and more than honest cuisine. Address: 102 Boulevard du Montparnasse, 75014. Metro line 4, Vavin station.

La Closerie des Lilas features a café, a more upscale restaurant, and a bar. Address: 171 Boulevard du Montparnasse, 75006. RER B train; Port Royal station.

Bouillon Chartier Montparnasse is part of a chain of three restaurants that offer classic French cuisine at good value. Click here to read our article about bouillon-type restaurants. Address: 59 Boulevard du Montparnasse, 75006. Metro lines 4, 6, 12, and 13; Montparnasse - Bienvenüe station.

The area has an excellent crêperie: Ty Breiz, voted one of the best in Paris. Address: 52 Boulevard Vaugirard, 75014. Metro line 6, Pasteur station.

What to do in Paris month by month:

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Itineraries for Paris:

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What to do in Paris any month of the year:

What to do in Paris any month of the year: 18 unmissable tips!

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What NOT to do in Paris:

What NOT to do in Paris: 9 tips on what to avoid!

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