Île Saint-Louis

Overview

Île Saint-Louis is a tiny, impossibly elegant natural island floating in the Seine directly behind Notre-Dame. Unconnected to the Metro and completely devoid of major monuments, it remains a pristine, 17th-century village hidden in the very center of Paris.

Highlights

• The Architecture: A stunning, unbroken collection of sheer, unbroken aristocratic hôtels particuliers (private mansions) featuring grand carved wooden doors and wrought-iron balconies.
• Rue Saint-Louis en l'Île: The narrow, single main street running down the spine of the island, packed with artisanal cheese shops, bakeries, and chic boutiques.
• Berthillon Ice Cream: The absolute undisputed king of Parisian ice cream, served from their original, constantly busy flagship storefront.

History

Unlike its neighbor (the Île de la Cité), Île Saint-Louis was completely uninhabited pastureland until the 1620s. It was subjected to one of the first comprehensive, highly regulated urban planning projects in Paris, quickly becoming the exclusive enclave for the city's wealthiest magistrates and aristocrats. Remarkably, it escaped Haussmann's 19th-century renovations entirely.

Visitor Tips

• Pacing: This is a place to slow down. There's nothing to "do" except wander the quiet quays and admire the impossibly expensive real estate.
• Sunset: The western tip of the island (Place Louis Aragon) is one of the absolute best, most romantic places in the city to sit with a bottle of wine at sunset.
• : 45–60 minutes for a leisurely stroll and an ice cream.