We may have heard a lot about Ile de la Cité but have you heard of its quieter neighbor, Ile Saint-Louis? Ile Saint-Louis is one of the only 2 remaining natural islands located on the Seine river in the heart of Paris (the other one is ‘Ile de la Cité’ known worldwide for its internationally famous Notre-Dame Cathedral). Ile Saint-Louis only spans 11-hectares, yet the island is very lively with plenty of restaurants, cafés and boutiques to discover.
Originally, Ile Saint-Louis was composed of 2 islands separated by a canal: the Ile aux vaches (The Cows’ Island) and the Ile Notre Dame. In the 17th century, during the reign of Louis XIII, an important urban planning project was implemented; the “Ile aux vaches” and the “Ile Notre Dame” were joined together, the canal was filled, and bridges and hôtels particuliers were built. In 1725, the island was renamed “Ile Saint-Louis”, after King Louis IX, known as ‘Saint-Louis’.
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The island remained relatively unchanged since the 17th century. You won’t find big monuments there; the island’s primary vocation is to be a residential island (with many hôtels particuliers). Saint-Louis’ island kept its very authentic charm and a unique medieval village atmosphere. A must-see in Paris.
Here’s our list of things to do on Ile Saint-Louis.
Saint-Louis-en-l’Ile Church (Eglise Saint-Louis-en-l’Ile)
The beautiful Catholic Church Saint-Louis-en-l’Ile was built between 1656 and 1726, replacing the former Church built in 1623. Architect François Le Vau, brother of the renowned architect Louis Le Vau (one of the main architects of the Palace of Versailles), was responsible for the design of the Saint-Louis-en-l’Ile Church. In 1726, 70 years after its foundation stone was laid, the Church was eventually consecrated by the Bishop of Grenoble, Jean de Caulet.
Les Quais and the Square Barye
Quai d’Anjou
Located in the northeastern part of the island between the Pont Marie and the Pont de Sully, the Quai d’Anjou is where you’ll find three remarkable ‘hôtels particuliers’ (grand mansions): the ‘Hôtel de Lauzun’, the ‘Hôtel Lambert’ and the ‘Hôtel le Vau’. It is also famous for hosting a small authentic theater ‘à l’ancienne’.
Quai de Bourbon
Located in the northwestern part of the island, the Quai de Bourbon is where two beautiful ‘hôtels particuliers’ can be found: the ‘Hôtel Le Charron’ and the ‘Hôtel de Jassaud’.
Quai d’Orléans
Located in the southwestern part of the island between the Pont Saint-Louis and the Pont de la Tournelle, the Quai d’Orléans is known for its Polish Library.
Quai de Béthune
Located in the southeastern part of the island between Pont de la Tournelle and Pont de Sully, the Quai de Béthune is where you’ll find two beautiful ‘hôtels particuliers’: the ‘Hôtel de Comans d’Astry’ and the ‘Hôtel Lefèvre de Malmaison’.
Square Barye
The best place on the island. It is our favorite spot for a break along the Seine banks.The small public park offers great views on the Seine river. And best of all, it is (almost) never crowded!
The ‘hôtels particuliers’
The Ile Saint-Louis is renowned for its hôtels particuliers (“private townhouses”). In fact, the island’s primary vocation is to be a residential island. Among the most famous hôtels particuliers, there are:
- Hôtel de Lauzun, built in 1658 by Charles Chamois and Louis Le Vau, and now property of the City of Paris since 1928,
- Hôtel Lambert, built in 1640 by Louis Le Vau,and now owned by the brother of the Emir of Qatar since 2007,
- Hôtel Le Vau, built in 1640 by Louis Le Vau for himself.
The Old Bridges
The island is connected to the right and left banks with 6 bridges (technically five as one links the right bank to the left bank by the island’s tip):
- Pont Saint-Louis (pedestrian bridge connecting île de la cité and île Saint-Louis),
- Pont de la Tournelle (connecting île Saint-Louis to the left bank),
- Pont de Sully (connecting the right bank to the left bank through l’île Saint-Louis),
- Pont Louis-Philippe (connecting the right bank to l’île Saint-Louis),
- Pont Marie (connecting the right bank to l’île Saint-Louis).
Shopping
The Rue Saint-Louis-en-l’Ile is a fantastic street for shopping. Among our favorite shops, there are:
- Carion Mineraux, a shop selling precious stones,
- Pylones, a unique souvenir shop,
- L’Ile aux images, a shop selling vintage prints & photos.
Berthillon Ice Cream
Located at 29-31 Rue Saint Louis en l’Ile, Berthillon is running since 1954. It is definitely the best ice cream shop in Paris! They have so many flavors to choose from. A must-try! We promise, you won’t regret it. Note that it is closed in August.
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