The Saturday afternoon scene at La Palette

In Paris’ synchronously funky and high-fashion 6th arrondissement, Saint-Germain-des-Prés is undeniably the city’s most sought-after neighborhood. All demographics yearn to spend their Saturdays on Saint Germain’s narrow, winding, cobblestoned streets, waiting for a table amongst the beautiful people at La Palette, ducking in and out of art gallerys, shopping at the tres chic boutiques around Rue de Sèvres, or lounging with a friend or a beau in the Luxembourg gardens. Even rive gauche residents deign to cross the river for much-loved Saint Germain, especially to visit the renowned Le Bon Marché (a model of a department store leagues above all others). While Rue Buci is quite touristy, it is still worth at least one meander. Sophisticated Rue Bonaparte offers debonair shopping, and fabulously small, non-touristy cafes can be found if one strays a few blocks farther from the area around Rue Buci. Cafe Charlotte on Rue du Cherche Midi is one of my favorites, as is Poilâne’s bar, directly next to their famous bread shop, also on Cherche-Midi. 
Saint Germain is bisected by the wide Boulevard Saint Germain. Many of my favorite streets are on the side of Rue Bonaparte, Rue de Sèvres, and the Luxembourg Gardens, as opposed to the side closer to the Seine. The boulevard is lined with many luxury shops that have multiple locations throughout the city and some are international companies, so I prefer to spend my time with the boutiques. The Ralph Lauren store has a beautiful outdoor garden restaurant that is worth going to, but you can skip the infamously touristy and overpriced cafes like Les Deux Magot and Cafe de Flore.