The Rive Gauche in Paris is home to some of the best antiquaries, art and design galleries in the world. In fact, the southern part of Paris is known for the artists, writers and philosophers that have lived and worked there. Picasso, Matisse, Sartre and Hemingway were some of the members of the artistic community in Montparnasse. This bank was an inspiration for many of then – Yves Saint Laurent named a perfume after this part of the city in 1974. In the Rive Gauche runs a flow of bohemianism, counterculture and creativity. Some of the most famous places include Boulevard Saint-Germain, Boulevard Saint-Michel, La Sorbonne, Rue du Bac and of course the Quartier Latin.

Today Best Design Guides gives you a pick at the best art and design galleries in the Rive Gauche.

Galerie Christian Liaigre – Designer Christian Liagre combines arts and crafts with elegance both in his creations and interior arquitecture. His gallery exhibits very exclusive works of art and furniture created along the same lines of the existing Liaigre furniture collection. New creations are available in limited edition or as unique pieces.

33 rue de Verneuil

75007 Paris

Galerie Ratton-Ladrière – specializing in antique paintings, drawings and sculptures. Right after World War I, Charles Ratton established himself as a major expert and dealer in medieval art, as well as African and primitive arts. He was also involved in contemporary art, organizing in 1936 the first exhibition of Surrealist sculpture. With Guy Ladrière, the Gallery interests expanded to Antique, Renaissance and Baroque sculpture, as well as works of art, and paintings and drawings from the XVI century to the XX century.

11 quai Voltaire

75007 Paris

Galerie Lefebvre & Fils – specialist in antique and contemporary ceramics. Before the Great War it was visited by artists like Proust and Bisset. This gallery presents exhibitions of contemporary ceramists such Ettore Sottsass and Ron Nagel, iconic American artist and ceramicist.

24, rue du Bac

75007 Paris

88-Gallery – presenting works from American, Italian, French and Belgian designers, such as Jean Desprès, Jean Puiforcat, Ado Chale, Pierre Giraudon, Gio Ponti, Max Ingrand, Pietro Chiesa, Marc Cavell, Philip Lloyd Powell, Paul Evans and more.

25 quai Voltaire

75007 Paris

Galerie Arcanes – presents both ceramics and furniture makers through the hand of experienced decorators like Jacques Adnet. There is an Italian vibe of the 70’s.

11 rue de Lille

75007 Paris

On Rue du Bac, Boulevard Saint-Germain and Boulevard Raspail are other interesting points of interest. Stores such as Silvera, Cassina, Electrorama and Voltex are great examples of contemporary furniture and lighting design.

Written by Alexandra Silva