Perspective
15/05/2019
There’s a touch of fantasy to Saint-Germain-des-Prés, with an ambiance like nowhere else in Paris, that has captivated the dreams of an international clientele. Johanna Beyer, Director of Rive Gauche BARNES Saint-Germain-des-Prés, explains why.
Saint-Germain is a historic Parisian neighborhood par excellence, and legendary home of artists, writers, and art galleries. In the minds of foreigners and even the French, Saint-Germain is a symbol of what it means to be cultured.
It’s inherently associated with the pioneers of 19th-century literature, such as George Sand, Balzac, and the later literary cafes that regularly hosted intellectuals like Simone de Beauvoir, Jean-Paul Sartre, and one of the most famous American expats, Ernest Hemingway.
In Saint-Germain-des-Prés, you will always find an illuminating atmosphere by virtue of its mythical clubs, historical cafes - Les Deux Magots and the Café de Flore - and bookshops on the banks of the Seine. What is most valued by residents of the 6th arrondissement is how the Saint-Germain of the past has managed to maintain the same charm today, as if nothing has changed.
It’s undeniable, the romance of Paris is alive and well on the Left Bank of the Seine. The Paris of lovers, the Paris of 'one day, my prince will come' is still there. We asked Johanna Beyer to define the neighborhood in a nutshell, and without any hesitat2019-05-15ion, she replied: “A dream.”
She told us a very heartwarming story about an American client who entrusted her with her childhood dream: 'One day, I will buy an apartment in Saint-Germain-des-Prés.” Thanks to BARNES Rive Gauche, her dream came true. It was a moment of pride and joy for the entire team.
This Paris that everyone is dreaming about comes at a high cost, especially in terms of its real estate prices. In fact, Saint-Germain has experienced bouts of low supply compared to its very high demand. Residences with a view of the Seine or monuments like the Église de Saint-Germain or even the Église de Saint-Sulpice can reach record high prices.
The heart of Saint-Germain has captured the hearts of an international clientele, so much so that it’s estimated that 40% of buyers in the neighborhood are of foreign nationality. They fall for its village atmosphere, narrow streets and large tree-lined avenues (such as the famous Boulevard Saint-Germain), its hundreds of restaurants and terraced cafes that bloom with floral arrangements in the spring, its bars with trendy interior design, not to mention its prestigious selection of luxury, fashion, and decor shops. This lively neighborhood is a favorite of movie stars, as well as fixtures in show business and the literary world.
Finding a pied-a-terre or a very large apartment in Saint-Germain-des-Prés is quite the job, because these types of real estate properties are rare. You’ll want to be able to entrust your search to a qualified team that can find the exceptional property that best suits you, whether it be an old apartment already refurbished to new standards or an apartment that needs to be entirely renovated. The team at BARNES Rive Gauche Saint-Germain-des-Prés is composed of expert professionals and loyal partners (since this agency was established), with local experience in the neighborhood, who want to assist clients through all the steps necessary for the acquisition or sale of their property.
Here’s a tip straight from BARNES: Buildings with an elevator are very popular in this sector. Climbing stairs may be good for your health, but suitcases and strollers prefer to take the elevator.
The center of Saint-Germain is extremely in-demand and oftentimes linked to Rue Bonaparte, Rue Jacob, Rue des Beaux-Arts, and Rue de Seine. Fortunately, the spirit of Saint-Germain-des-Prés does not stop at any crossroads where these streets meet. The agency works without zoning limits by collaborating with the BARNES agency in the 7th arrondissement in order to broaden the scope of the search towards the Carré des Antiquaires. As a result, our French and international clients are offered a wider selection of beautiful 17th-century hôtels particuliers (or private mansions) with gardens and/or private courtyards.
Johanna Beyer has confirmed it: Dreaming has no limit in Saint-Germain-des-Prés.
© Les Confidences De BARNES - published on Barnes Paris on 15/05/2019
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