The district has traditionally been home to many artists as well as a significant Breton community, which arrived at the beginning of the 20th century upon the creation of the Montparnasse railway terminus.

It continues to have a high density of both population and business activity with 132,844 inhabitants and 71,836 jobs as of the last census, in 1999.

[7] SNCF, the French rail company, formerly had its head office in Montparnasse and the 14th arrondissement.

[10] The International Astronomical Union head office is located on the second floor of the Institut d'Astrophysique de Paris.

[11] The Théâtre Rive Gauche is located at 6, rue de la Gaîté.