DK Travel : Paris : Ile de la Cité and Ile St-Louis

Ile de la Cité and Ile St-Louis : Overview & Top 10

Paris was born on the Ile de la Cité . The first settlers came to this island on the Seine in 300 BC (see Arrival of the Parisii) and it has remained a focus of church and state power through the centuries, with the great cathedral of Notre-Dame and the law courts of the Palais de Justice commanding the island. This tiny land mass also has the honour of being the geographical heart of the country – all French distances are measured from Point Zéro, just outside Notre-Dame. While the Ile de la Cité seems overrun with tourists, the smaller Ile St-Louis, connected to its neighbour by a bridge, has a village-like feel and has been an exclusive residential enclave since the 17th century. Its main street is lined with shops, galleries and restaurants and is a wonderful place for a stroll.

Berthillon ice cream

One of the best ice cream shops in the city
Le Caveau de l'Isle

This was a small gem that we found by chance as we were shopping. It is a small, very traditional French cuisine restaurant, no more than 15 tables, with beautifully starched napkins and shining cutlery, and the food was both amazing and reasonable (I ordered duck with orange sauce/le menu). Service was also fabulous.