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Cour du Commerce Saint Andre, a Leafy Passage in Paris

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A local’s guide to visiting the leafy Cour du Commerce Saint Andre in Saint Germain des Pres; one of the most secret passages in Paris and a pretty photo spot!

The Cour du Commerce Saint-André in the 6th arrondissement is honestly one of my favorite spots in the whole city.

It makes you feel like you’ve found a secret village, just a stone’s throw away from the most famous cafes in Saint-Germain-des-Prés, like the legendary Les Deux Magots and Café de Flore.

It’s one of the oldest passages in Paris, where you’re still walking on original, heavy cobblestones and can admire beautiful vintage storefronts like the one at Relais Odéon.

Whether you’re visiting Paris in the spring or the winter, the Cour du Commerce Saint-André is one of those local secrets that is just good to know.

Cour du Commerce Saint Andre, a Leafy Passage in Paris

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To get there, you can enter through Rue de l’Ancienne Comédie, or even easier, just hop off at the Odéon metro station – the passage is right across the street.

As I mentioned, it’s incredibly old, having been built in 1776 on the site of a former jeu de paume court (the ancestor of tennis).

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While most people are drawn to it for its aesthetic – it’s one of the prettiest streets in Paris, in my opinion – the passage also holds some serious historical weight.

Did you know, for example, that it follows the exact line of the Wall of Philippe Auguste, built around the year 1200?

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You can actually see a well-preserved tower from that wall inside one of the shops, Un Dimanche à Paris.

But the Cour du Commerce Saint-André isn’t just about beauty; it has a bit of a darker side too.

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At number 9, a carpenter named Schmidt built the very first prototype of the guillotine.

Legend has it they even tested it on sheep right there in the courtyard before moving it to the Place de Grève.

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The famous revolutionary Jean-Paul Marat also lived at number 8, where he printed his radical newspaper.

Another huge figure of the Revolution, Georges Danton, lived close by as well – you can see his statue today at the entrance on the Boulevard Saint-Germain side.

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It wasn’t all revolution, though; this was also a major political and literary hub for Paris.

Le Procope, which is considered the oldest continuously operating cafe in the world (founded in 1686!), has a terrace that opens right onto the courtyard.

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Its list of regulars is incredible, including the likes of Voltaire, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, and even Napoleon Bonaparte himself.

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If you set the history aside, the Cour du Commerce Saint-André is truly one of the most beautiful spots in Paris, and it’s absolutely perfect for taking a few photos.

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Whether it’s raining, windy, or snowing, the vintage storefronts of the shops along the passage make it incredible to visit.

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It’s as floral as can be and has that unbelievable feel of a hidden little village, like the Cité Florale in the 13th arrondissement, the Rue de Thermopyles, or the Quartiers des Peupliers.

Cour du Commerce Saint André Paris Photo Gallery

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Cour du Commerce Saint Andre, a Leafy Passage in Paris

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Once you’ve finished wandering through the courtyard, there are so many lovely places to visit in Saint-Germain-des-Prés.

You’ll find beautiful bookstores like Taschen or Assouline, and secret gardens like Square Félix-Desruelles with its beautiful Art Nouveau portico.

You could also head toward the Luxembourg Gardens for a bit of nature, or keep diving into Parisian history with a visit to the Musée de Cluny.

Cour du Commerce Saint André Paris
Address: Boulevard Saint Germain, 75006 Paris
Website: Paris Discovery Guide