Saint-Germain-des-Prés is named after its 7th century Abbey of which only a Church remains. Its commercial growth began upon the 1886 completion of its cafés and bistros, namely the "Café de Flore" and "Deux Magots" terraces. Its Located near the Ecole des Beaux-Arts, this area is also known for Art in general. The handsome tract around the upper stretches of "rue de Seine" and "rue Bonaparte" abounds with galleries of contemporary fine art.
Saint-Germain-des-Prés is an upper-class bourgeois residential district; its quality boutiques and gastronomical street-side commerce is a direct reflection of this.
The Odeon / Saint-Michel area is named after the 17th century theatre located between boulevard Saint-Germain and the Luxembourg Gardens; today, it is best known for its cinemas and cafés.
The Sorbonne University has been a centre of student activity ever since the early 12th century.