Discovering the Montparnasse district

Perfectly located in the heart of Paris, the Montparnasse district owes its name, "Mont Parnasse," to students who used to recite poems on a square that is actually a hill formed by embankments. This name, "Mont Parnasse," referred to the residence of the Muses in Greek mythology. Later on, the Montparnasse district became the ideal place in Paris for numerous painters' workshops and artistic spaces that migrated from Montmartre to this hill. Our hotel, Le Littré, allows you to explore this dynamic, secure neighborhood, globally known for its typical Parisian places, unusual spots, famous monuments, historical sites, and picturesque landscapes. Le Littré and the Montparnasse district are essential starting points for your solo, duo, or family tourist escapades, whether in the heart of Parisian gardens and parks or in institutions such as museums.

The observatory of the Montparnasse Tower

A 10-minute walk from our hotel, the Observatory, also known as the rooftop of the Montparnasse Tower, offers a breathtaking spectacle with a panoramic view through two levels of visit: the 56th floor, allowing you to discover the city of Paris in a covered manner, and the large panoramic terrace, which hosts a rooftop bar on sunny days.

For a romantic or family moment, this unique experience is not to be missed. Once on the 56th floor of the Montparnasse Tower, you will be welcomed in a modern and comfortable space to discover a spectacle open to the architecture of the city and the Montparnasse district. There are also numerous installations to better understand its history and dynamism.

During the beautiful days, from spring to the end of summer, enjoy the rooftop bar on the highest terrace in the capital! Precisely at 210 meters high, you can enjoy the beautiful spectacle of Paris and the Montparnasse district day and night, thanks to the unique 360° view. Another alternative: extend the pleasure of your essential experience at the Observatory of the Montparnasse Tower with the "360 Café." It welcomes you for a small gourmet break after your city stroll (sandwiches, salads, croque-monsieur, cold and hot drinks, desserts) facing the most breathtaking views of Paris and the Montparnasse district. Or else, enjoy a majestic and delicious dinner at the restaurant Le Ciel de Paris, which is also located at the top of the Tower.

Our tips to facilitate your arrival: book your e-tickets online for access without waiting in line and plan for mandatory security checks for each visitor for a serene visit. Tickets for children under 4 are free. So, don't miss out on this superb view of the Montparnasse district and the city of Paris.

Le Ciel de Paris

The Le Ciel de Paris restaurant offers a breathtaking spectacle. Traditional French cuisine is to be savored in an elegantly sought-after and modern decor: the bar space is polished by light with its amber caramel seats and textured materials in purified and luminous shades designed by Noé Duchaufour-Lawrence. Le Ciel de Paris, it is also an incredible view of the city of Paris and the Montparnasse district. All the capital's monuments are revealed to you in one glance, from the Eiffel Tower to the Invalides. The Le Ciel de Paris restaurant is a must-visit in the Montparnasse district.

“La Coupole”

The iconic Montparnasse district’s brewery, the restaurant La Coupole is refined and decorated in the Art Déco style. Very reputed, this restaurant is a part of the french national and historical heritage and offers a french cuisine with unmissable plates as

“le foie de veau rôti”, “les choucroutes”, “le tartare de bœuf aux couteaux” and its famous seafood platters.

“La Rotonde”

Whether it is to enjoy a coffee with a delicious croissant in the morning before going to work or order a seafood plate at 2 o’clock in the morning, everything is possible at La Rotonde. Part of the Montparnasse district since 100 years old, this restaurant hides behind its beautiful facade large red velvet benches, spacious wooded lounges and not to forget a particularly rich, traditional and unique french cuisine !

“La Closerie des Lilas”

A gastronomic restaurant and at the same time a brewery, the restaurant La Closerie des Lilas offers refined wines and cocktails especially made by its barman. For the menu, you will find a selection of delicious oysters, pike quenelles, poached haddock or beef tartar ready to be tasted ! Equipped with a piano, a unique and joyful atmosphere is waiting for you !

“Le Dôme”

The restaurant “Le Dome” is the perfect immersion into the period of the crazy years, period of the creation of the restaurant in the Montparnasse district. It is a universe filled with anecdotes, memories and encounters of this period. The grapevine leaf takes all the place and spreads itself on the restaurant’s walls. The menu and wine list is tasty, so if you are looking for a succulent dinner driven by the excellence of French seafood, you have found yourself in the right place !

“Le Petit Littré”

Located in the street of the same name, in the heart of the Montparnasse district, the restaurant Le Petit Littré cooks french traditional dishes and offers a wine bar and cocktails to be enjoyed in a pleasant and relaxed atmosphere. The seasons and opportunities of the market inspire the menu suggestions. A jewel in the Montparnasse district !

“Aux enfants gâtés”

Only 15 minutes from the hotel, the restaurant “Aux enfants gâtés”immerses you in a chic and sober atmosphere. Talking about the cuisine, the dishes are generous, seasonal and perfectly well-balanced : a perfect balance between delicacy and French taste. Near the hotel, the restaurant is ideal in order to discover the Montparnasse neighborhood for the time of an evening.

“La grande Ourse”

You should definitely come to discover a restaurant beautifully decorated with care and a cuisine from the market’s freshest ingredients and constantly renewed, in a simple yet warm atmosphere. The Montparnasse neighborhood inspires the restaurant chef to suggest generous cuisine, gourmet and creative. The chef is dedicated to bringing meticulous care to the aestheticism of his plates while respecting the work of his producers.

Food Society

Voted the biggest food court in Europe, Food Society has just opened his doors in the heart of the district of Montparnasse, in the shopping center Les Ateliers Gaité. The concept of this trendy place is to offer 15 restaurants, 2 bars and nearly 600 tables brought in a festive and unique place. Indeed, Food Society welcomes singers and musicians on their big stage to animate the evenings and make their customers live a friendly and entertaining experience. Thanks to its wide menu choices, you won’t be deceived ! Tapas, pastries, burgers, home-made food…Adepts of recycling, the founders made the promise to turn Food Society into a green place by taking the commitment 0 plastic.

“Rue de Rennes"

It is very easy to find happiness in Montparnasse district and especially in the long street of 1 kilometer: the street of Rennes. Indeed, in this district, there is no shortage of stores, there are the major brands of ready to wear Zara, Mango, Maison 1 2 3 or Izac and Levis. You will also find the make-up shops Sephora and Kiko and the jewelry stores Pandora and Histoire d'Or ...

The Montparnasse district being a very lively area, pharmacies, bakeries and other small shops are also located in this large street.

Gare Montparnasse shopping center

For a moment of shopping, the Gare Montparnasse shopping center is also located in the Montparnasse district and just a few steps from the Le Littré hotel. Open since 2018, the shopping center is now among the 5 most modern shopping centers in France thanks to its recent architecture and its 100 different brands. Among these brands, we find the House of high gastronomy: Fauchon, the tea house Kusmi Tea, the ready-to-wear brand The Kooples and many other stores.

Les Ateliers de la Gaîté

There are many shopping centers in the Montparnasse district. Les Ateliers Gaîté is a very recent shopping center in the Montparnasse district. Opened since October 2022, it includes about forty brands, where it will be possible to taste the delicious chocolates of Jeff de Bruges and enjoy a good shopping moment between 10am and 8pm with ready-to-wear and shoes brands like Spartoo, Naf Naf, Okaidi and restaurants like Pokawa, Waffle Factory and Food Society.

Montparnasse train station is one of the biggest parisians station and is the most crowded place of the Montparnasse district : a place of transit. Every day, nearly 200 000 visitors are arriving and leaving Paris. Only 10 minutes walk from the hotel, it is very convenient to stay at the hotel to benefit from the proximity with the station.

Theatre of Montparnasse

The Montparnasse Theatre, established in 1986, has had the honor of hosting plays that received the Molière Award, the most coveted in its discipline. For an unusual experience in Paris, immerse yourself in French culture by spending an evening at the theatre after a day of exploring the Luxembourg Gardens or Montsouris Park. Thanks to renovations undertaken in 1900, this venue now features a large main hall with a capacity for 700 seats, along with a smaller annex.

Theater La Gaîté

The Montparnasse district is famous for its cultural and theatrical spaces. Numerous theaters and cinemas in Paris are located in the district, including the renowned Theatre de la Gaîté, giving it the status of one of the neighborhoods with the most cinemas and theaters in the capital. Inaugurated in 1868, the theatre, once a café-concert, regularly hosted divas and dancers. In 1995, the Theatre de la Gaîté in the Montparnasse district faced the threat of demolition, prompting the authorities in the entertainment industry to mobilize to avert this tragedy. In 1998, Louis-Michel Colla took over the theatre's direction, and today, it continues to express itself through performances, much to the delight of actors and audiences.

“Le Edgar” theater

The Theatre Edgar is a very old Parisian performance venue located at 58 Boulevard Edgar-Quinet in the Montparnasse district, recognizable by its blue-tinted period facade. Inaugurated in 1973 and equipped with 132 seats, you can take the time to laugh and relax with entertaining comedy successes of the capital!

“Le Lucernaire Luc” theater

The cultural center in Paris, Lucernaire, combines theatre, cinema, and contemporary photography in the same space. Since its creation, it has welcomed ambitious projects in various artistic disciplines, aspiring to be a breeding ground for creation. The original Latin word "Lucernarium" means "the moment when lamps are lit," signifying a boundary and a change of the real state between the known world of the day and the world of shadows. With an effective program, Lucernaire in the Montparnasse district has consistently captivated its audience and won over new theater enthusiasts in Paris.

Studio des Ursulines

If theatres and cinemas aren't suitable for family outings in Paris, you'll be delighted to watch a film at Studio des Ursulines, a cinema with a single screen that aims to be a space offering films for children. The cinema is located on the street of the same name in the capital, which hosted intellectuals from the surrealist movement, including André Breton and Robert Desnos. In its time, it positioned itself as an avant-garde cinema for a cultured audience seeking renewal. Today, it offers animated films perfectly suited for a young audience, as well as Art & Essais days.