The history of the neighbourhood is closely linked to the history of King Philippe-Auguste and to that of the Monnaie factory in Paris. At that time, the kingdom was in need of protection, which is why the king built an enclosure bearing the name of Philippe-Auguste’s enclosure. It is a wall starting from the Seine, opposite the end of the Louvre colonnade, following a north-west to southeast direction and getting to Rue Saint-André-des-Arts. The remains of Philippe-Auguste’s enclosure are still visible in this neighbourhood and the other districts of Paris.

Concerning the Monnaie de Paris, it is a prestigious place located in front of the Louvre and Pont Neuf. This factory was created on June 25, 864 by the Edict of Pistres of Charles the Bald. It is the oldest French institution and the oldest company still working worldwide. Since the 18th century, it has housed the factory for manufacturing coins and medals as well as other arts and crafts.

It was King Louis XV who decided to build the current building on Quai de Conti. The foundation’s construction began in 1769, while the first stone was laid in 1771. It is the work of the architect Jacques-Denis Antoine. The Monnaie de Paris was officially established on this site on 20 December 1775. It was the first major Parisian construction under King Louis XV.

• Saint-André des Arts Independent Cinema. Founded in 1971, it is one of the most emblematic cinemas in the district.
• Fontaine Saint-Michel.
• Monnaie de Paris.
• Institut de France: created in 1975, it gathers five academies, namely the French Academy, the Academy of Inscriptions and literature, the Academy of Sciences, the Academy of Arts and finally the Academy of Moral and Political Sciences.
• École nationale supérieure des beaux-arts.

• Café Procope is one of the most famous restaurant bars of Paris. It was patronized by many artists and intellectuals such as Voltaire, Diderot or Alembert. Café Procope was the favourite meeting place for writers and politicians at that time. It was founded in 1686 and closed in 1890. Today there is a modern restaurant, which still bears the name Café Procope.
• Lapérouse restaurant is a mythical restaurant located in Quai des Grands-Augustins. One of a kind, it offers customers an intimate moment in small alcove rooms in a subdued environment.

• Square Gabriel-Pierné, at 5 rue de Seine
• Square Honoré-Champion, at 2 rue de Seine