Cour du Commerce Saint André
The Cour du Commerce Saint André connects No.130 Boulevard Saint-Germain to No. 59 Rue Saint-André-des-Arts in the heart of Saint-Germain-des-Prés. It has a third entrance at No. 21 Rue de l’Ancienne Comédie, and is one of Paris’s covered passages.
The main section of this 120-metre-long and 3.5-metre-wide passageway is open to the sky. The two main entrance porches are located on the ground floor of a building.
An elegant glass roof shelters the section opening onto Rue Saint-André-des-Arts. This section is closed at night by a metal gate that separates it from the open-air section, ensuring security while preserving the character of the passage.
The Cour du Commerce Saint André was opened in 1776 through the Jeu de Paume (tennis court) of the Hôtel de Rohan, the Parisian residence of the Bishop of Rouen. It has retained its original paving stones and was known as the Cour du Commerce until 1877.
It follows the line of the rampart built by King Philip Augustus at the end of the 12th century. While some remains of this wall survive in the neighbouring houses and are listed as historical monuments, they are not accessible to the public as they are located on private property.
The facades, windows, and roofs of the shops, as well as the three entrances and the glass roof of the Cour du Commerce Saint André, were listed as historical monuments in 1987.
Café Procope and Relais Odéon
The Cour du Commerce Saint André is brimming with charming boutiques and cafés, among which two establishments stand out: Café Procope and Relais Odéon.
Le Procope was founded in the 17th century by Francesco Procopio dei Coltelli, a young nobleman from Palermo, Sicily, and is thus the first Parisian café.
Relais Odéon, also known as Bistro 1900, is located near the entrance on Boulevard Saint-Germain. This charming establishment has preserved its splendid Art Nouveau facade, now a listed historical monument.
With their warm atmosphere and picturesque terraces, these two iconic Parisian establishments are the perfect place to enjoy a café crème or a leisurely lunch. And who knows, you might even find yourself seated next to a celebrity!
Directions: 6th district
Metro: Odéon on Lines 4 or 10
Coordinates: Lat 48.853039 – Long 2.339085
