The Best of Île Saint-Louis (Neighbourhood & Island Guide)
Last Updated on 13th March 2024 by Sophie Nadeau
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Elegant, chic and serene! Located in the historic centre of Paris, this tranquil pocket of peace is often overlooked by its neighbouring island Île de la Citê. Known for its architectural gems and abundant with beautiful doorways, Île Saint-Louis offers a quieter setting to that of the rest of the city.
Here’s an insider’s guide on the best things to do in Île Saint-Louis, as well as a brief history.
Contents
- What is Île Saint-Louis?
- A history of Île Saint-Louis
- Where is Île Saint-Louis?
- What is Île Saint-Louis famous for?
- Best things to do on Île Saint-Louis
- Go for a stroll- ‘flâner’ as the French like to say
- Relax in Place Louis Aragon
- Admire all of the beautiful doors
- Sample Berthillon ice cream
- Grab a drink or indulge on French cuisine
- Go shopping in one of the independent boutiques
- Saint-Louis en-L’Île Church
- Watch performers at Pont Saint-Louis
- Bridges linking Île Saint-Louis to the mainland
- Relax on the quays
- Square Barye
- Where to stay on Île Saint-Louis
What is Île Saint-Louis?
IÎle Saint-Louis is the smaller of two natural islands which are located within the Seine and is technically considered to be part of the 4th arrondissement. There is a third island still surviving on the Seine too, Île aux Cygnes, but this is man-made.
The island is 27 acres in size, with only 8 streets and 4 quays, it has a population of approximately 4,400 people (recorded as of September 2023). Predominantly pedestrian only, this is generally a no driving and no parking district.
A history of Île Saint-Louis
In the 13th century Île Saint-Louis was originally divided in two by a canal and went by two different names. On the eastern side it was known as, Île des Vaches (island of cows) which also happens to be the name of another island further down stream. The other side, Île Notre-Dame, due to the fact it was owned by the cathedral’s jurisdiction.
Mostly used for grazing cattle and on occasion a site for duelling, the island(s) then became destined for real estate development. In 1616 developers Christophe Marie and Poulettiere Le Regrettier commenced the project, filling in the canal that divided the two plots of land and laying out the plots for residential buildings.
The urbanisation of the island was pretty quick, within a period of 15 years it was completely built up with beautiful imposing Haussmann architecture and solid stone banks entirely surrounding the island.
The next task was the building of the new bridge, Pont Louis-Philippe, which would connect the island to that of the Île de la Citê (home to the Notre Dame). In fact, the first stone of the bridge was laid by the young king himself, Louis XIII, at the age of just 13.
Today the name of the small natural island as it is now dates back to 1725, derived from that of King Louis IX, the son of Louis XIII, who was nicknamed Saint Louis. Legends say that the king had a habit of coming to the island often and praying. During the French Revolution, the island was briefly named Île de la Fraternité.
In 2000 Île Saint-Louis earned its status, going on the UNESCO World Heritage List. For more information about the history of the island, check out our full guide to the islands of Paris.
Today the island is dreamy and sought after neighbourhood due to its serene ambience and abundance of gorgeous mansions, adorned with balconies that boast of stunning views overlooking the River Seine.
Home to many celebrities over the years and foreign multimillionaires…if you have a couple million spare, it could be you too!
Where is Île Saint-Louis?
The island is located in the River Seine right next to Île de la Citê (they’re connected by the pedestrian only bridge, Pont Saint-Louis). There’s no metro stop on the island! Instead, you’ll have to take the metro to Pont Marie and walk across the bridge to reach the island.
Also, don’t come to the island expecting to see lots of monuments and attractions. The beauty of the place lies in its quiet, laid-back ambiance, beautiful Seine views, and quintessentially Haussmannian architecture.
What is Île Saint-Louis famous for?
Charming and unique this pocket of calm is a true gem of Paris! In 2000 this small natural island made it onto the UNESCO World Heritage List. Situated in the historic quarter of the city, it’s famed for its abundance of magnificent architecture.
Once coined as being the “Island of Palaces” as its home to many mansions, some of which have been preserved for over four centuries.
Best things to do on Île Saint-Louis
Go for a stroll- ‘flâner’ as the French like to say
To be honest, one of the joys of a visit to Île Saint-Louis is simply to stroll around and allow the island to reveal itself to you. There are lots of little cobbled lanes and wandering around this part of Paris will feel like you’ve been transported straight back into the 17th-century.
Relax in Place Louis Aragon
This is home to one of the most romantic views in Paris, a quiet cobbled terrace that rests at the tip of Île Saint-Louis, boasting of panoramic views of the River Seine and its bridges.
Whether its strolling along the walkway, or taking a seat on one of the nearby benches, be sure to bring a bottle of wine and baguette to share at this truly magical spot! I recommend visiting at golden hour for prime time to see the architecture soaked in yellow hues as reflections dance over the Seine.
Admire all of the beautiful doors
One of the best things to do while visiting Île Saint-Louis is marvel at the fabulous doorways! Arguably one of the most concentrated areas of unique doorways in Paris, each of them full of character and intricately carved from wood.
As it only takes around an hour to walk the whole of the island, you could take yourself on a mini walking tour of these gorgeous doors and pick out your favourite one!
Sample Berthillon ice cream
Home to the original store of the famed Berthillon ice cream, iconic and so good that it easily rivals any ice cream in the world!
This iconic tea room and ice cream shop is said to have rose to fame in 1961 when French restaurant guide, Gault Millau, wrote about how “astonishing” this place was. The Berthillon family have been serving their delights for over 70 years, priding themselves on using the highest quality ingredients, their ratio of ingredients used for this indulgent treat remains a hidden secret.
Truly a memorable french dessert, this Parisian delicacy is an absolute must-try when visiting. Oh, and if ice-cream isn’t your thing, they have sorbet’s galore.
The delicate notes and fruity texture means that the sorbet quite literally tastes just like the fruit itself! Personally, my favourite flavours of Berthillon sorbet are lemon and raspberry.
Grab a drink or indulge on French cuisine
Compared to the rest of Paris, because of its size there’s not a huge range of places on Île Saint-Louis. That being said, the options that are here are some of the best spots in the city, from coffee and fine wine, to delicious mouthwatering French cuisine! Here’s our top suggestions:
- Noir – a speciality coffee shop where you can get takeaway coffees, this is a coffee lovers haven!
- Le Saint-Regis – this fancy dining venue is idyllic for people watching, enjoy traditional French food, or sit and sip on a glass of fine French wine.
- La Brasserie de l’Isle Saint-Louis – offering gorgeous views that look onto the Notre Dame, this is owned by the same family for over three generations, serving delicious traditional French cuisine.
Go shopping in one of the independent boutiques
After all, you are in one of the chicest districts in all of Paris! Even if it’s just window shopping, you should definitely wander around and take a peep at the independent boutiques of the island.
Saint-Louis en-L’Île Church
With a growing population came the need for a church to be built on the island, and as the name might suggest, this gorgeous Roman Catholic church is dedicated to King Louis IX of France.
The first stone for the church was lay in 1664 by the Archbishop of Paris, but building wasn’t actually complete until 1725 due to various mishaps and funding shortages.
Originally constructed in the French Baroque style of the 17th century, much of the interior decoration was taken or destroyed in the French Revolution, so the church had to be extensively restored and redecorated in the 19th century.
Free to visit, the church also provides a guided tour of its interior in both English and French one Sunday a month at 3pm. Check opening times and more information for visiting on their official website here.
Watch performers at Pont Saint-Louis
The Pont Saint-Louis links Île Saint-Louis with Île de la Cité and is a vibrant pedestrianised footbridge where there’s always something going on. This bridge also provides excellent views onto the river Seine and towards Hôtel de Ville.
Note of caution: Pickpockets in Paris are known to take advantage of crowds who are distracted by street performances, so just be sure to keep a close eye on your belongings!
Bridges linking Île Saint-Louis to the mainland
Île Saint Louis is connected to the mainland by four different bridges:
- Pont Louis-Philippe – (from the Rive Droite) which connects to its neighbouring island Île de la Cité
- Pont de la Tournelle (from the Rive Gauche)
- Pont Marie (from the Rive Droite)
- Pont Sully (from the Rive Droite and the Rive Gauche)
You can get a panoramic view of all these bridges at the tip of the island, Place Louis Aragon!
Relax on the quays
One of the easiest ways to access the quays from the island is to head down the set of stairs which is hidden to the side of Square Barye. During the summertime, relaxing on the quays with a picnic is the perfect way to end a day exploring Paris!
Square Barye
There’s only one public garden on the island, Square Barye. This small relaxing green space is filled with sculptures and park benches, offering beautiful views over the Seine.
An enchanting spot to take a leisurely afternoon stroll or sit on one of the benches and read as you soak up the tranquility away from the hustle and bustle of the busier streets in Paris. It’s also open 24 hours a day, so if you want to have a picnic and drink wine late into the night, this is the spot to go!
Where to stay on Île Saint-Louis
If you want to stay close to all of the action but like a quiet vibe and ambiance, then Île Saint-Louis is a great compromise. There’s not a huge deal of choice on the island due to its small size but there are still a handful of hotels you can check out:
Hotel Du Jeu De Paume: This four-star hotel is nestled against the backdrop of a converted 17th-century royal tennis court and boasts amenities such as baggage storage and air conditioning. Check prices and availability here.
Hôtel L de Lutèce: This well-reviewed four-star hotel lies in the heart of Île Saint-Louis, meaning that it’s just a short walk away from Notre Dame and Hôtel de Ville. Highlights include a 24 hour front desk, an airport shuttle for an extra charge, and a turndown service. Check prices and availability here.
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