Connected to the Île de la Cité by the Pont Saint-Louis, the Île Saint-Louis has stayed one of the calmest and most refined neighborhoods in Paris. Unlike its neighbor, it never held a grand monument: it's a 17th-century residential ensemble, almost untouched, with its cut-stone buildings and wrought-iron balconies. People come here to stroll along the quays, admire the classical facades, and, inevitably, stop for ice cream at a shop on rue Saint-Louis-en-l'Île.
Highlights
The quayside houses
The island is known for its 17th-century buildings, barely changed since the days of Louis XIV. It's now one of the most exclusive and peaceful neighborhoods in the capital.
Quai d'Orléans
This quay on the island's south side offers one of the finest views of the Left Bank and the Île de la Cité. It's also home to the Polish Library of Paris, in a setting surprisingly quiet for central Paris.
Maison Berthillon
Founded in 1954 by Raymond Berthillon, this shop has become a Parisian institution for its handmade ice creams and sorbets in sometimes surprising flavors, like candied chestnut or pink grapefruit.
Practical info
Tips
- Don't bother queuing at the historic Berthillon counter, which is often mobbed: plenty of cafés and ice cream shops on the same street sell official Berthillon ice cream with no line at all. Our complete guide to Île Saint-Louis offers a detailed itinerary for exploring the island.
How to get there
The nearest metro stations are "Pont Marie" and "Sully - Morland" (line 7). "Cité" (line 4) and "Saint-Paul" (line 1) are also within walking distance. Bus 67 stops directly on the island, on rue des Deux Ponts.
Opening hours
Our guides that feature it
Nearby
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