Once you descend from the clouds, don't rush to the metro. The Montparnasse neighborhood (14th Arrondissement) was the heart of artistic life in the "Roaring Twenties" (Les Années Folles). Picasso, Hemingway, and Fitzgerald drank here, shifting the center of gravity from Montmartre to Montparnasse.

Here are 11 spots to check out within a 10-minute walk of the tower.

1. Rue du Montparnasse (The Street of Crêpes)

Just steps from the tower, this street is lined with authentic Breton crêperies. Why? Because trains from Brittany arrive at Gare Montparnasse!

Try: La Crêperie de Josselin (famous for buttery, crispy buckwheat galettes and cheap cider in bowls).

2. Le Select / La Rotonde / Le Dôme / La Coupole

The four legendary brasseries on Boulevard du Montparnasse.

Go for: Oysters at Le Dôme, the Art Deco interior and dancing at La Coupole, or a coffee at Le Select (Hemingway's favorite).

3. Rue de la Gaîté

Known as the "Street of Joy," it is packed with historic theatres like Théâtre de la Gaîté-Montparnasse and Bobino. Even if you don't see a play, the facades are beautiful and the street buzzes with life.

4. Montparnasse Cemetery

We mentioned viewing it from above, now walk it. Visit the graves of Jean-Paul Sartre, Simone de Beauvoir, and Serge Gainsbourg. It is peaceful and melancholic, a great break from the noise.

5. Musée Bourdelle

A hidden museum in the studio of sculptor Antoine Bourdelle. It features giant bronze statues and a lovely quiet garden. It's often free (for permanent collections)!

6. Place du 18 Juin 1940

The busy square in front of the tower. Historically significant as a site of liberation battles in WWII.

7. The Atlantic Garden (Jardin Atlantique)

A secret park built on top of the train station tracks! It's a miracle of engineering and a quiet green space invisible from the street level. Find the entrance inside the station.

8. Rue Daguerre

A fantastic, pedestrian-friendly market street nearby. Great for cheese, wine, and fruit shopping. Agnes Varda (famous filmmaker) lived here and filmed it often.

9. Fondation Cartier

For contemporary art lovers. A stunning glass building by Jean Nouvel hosting rotating modern art exhibits. The garden is a wild ecosystem.

10. Edgar Quinet Market

If you visit on a Wednesday or Saturday morning, this massive street market offers food, clothes, and local vibes. It stretches along the boulevard.

11. Le Petit Journal Montparnasse

For jazz lovers. A great spot for dinner and a concert in the evening, keeping the neighborhood's musical history alive.

What to Do Near Montparnasse Tower: 11 Neighborhood Gems