Ile Saint-Louis Today:


Today the Ile Saint Louis has become a highly residential area and a privileged destination and those looking for a romantic visit or who are impassioned about history looking for a Paris that is both elegant and authentic.

In general, the island retains its reputation as a home for the upper class. The permanent owners tend to be wealthy, comfortably settled, and of an older generation that keeps to itself, observing from a distance. However, while Ile Saint-Louis remains uniquely calm compared to the rest of Paris, it has not all together escaped the rise of tourism, especially in recent years.

In spring and summertime people from around the world come to explore the tiny shops, the peaceful and romantic quays, and of course the views on the city it has to offer. The most popular attractions are certainly the original (and still functional) site of the famous homemade Berthillon ice cream and the western point of the island near the Pont Saint-Louis which joins the island to the Ile de la Cité. The cafés in this area are often filled to capacity with people-watchers and sight-seers savoring both the view of Notre-Dame and a cone of Berthillon.

Stairway access leads to the lower, tree-shaded quays. Those that gather there range from musicians, to lovers, to those just reading a book or feeding the ducks that swim close to shore, protected by the island. This attests to the fact that, despite its development, the island has not lost its original function as a place for people to gather and relax in company with the Seine.

Whereas the peripheral ring formed by the quays is, in general, home to the numerous 17th century Hôtels Particuliers (noble townhouses), the inner streets, most notably the sort of "main street" running the length of the island called Rue Saint-Louis-en-l'Ile, are host to more commercial venues.

Throughout its history the island has always been known for its artistic richness. Even today anyone walking down this main street would be overwhelmed by the barrage of artists' galleries that specialize in anything from sculpture to painting to glass making to handcrafted jewelry. Occasionally you may be lucky and catch a private exhibition.

Small specialty shops play an important part in the commercial atmosphere on Ile Saint-Louis. Artistic clothing stores display their colorful and sprightly creations with pride, as do the toy shops carrying novelties, childrens' games, and puppets (especially the magnificent puppet shop "Clair de Rêve"). A handful of bookshops scattered around Ile Saint-Louis invite strollers to peruse their collections on history, archeology, travel, and Paris' cultural heritage. And here and there you'll find shops specializing in goods from regions around the world including East Asia and Tibet.

Food is largely present on Ile Saint-Louis. All the specialty shops for daily life can be found right on the main street: butcher shops, a bakery, creamery, wine shop, cheese shop, and of course a florist providing dinner table decoration. There are also a few gourmet food shops which sell high-priced, typically French products such as tea, jams, honey, and mustard.

Where food is concerned, however, the main focus lies in the restaurants. Eating on Ile Saint-Louis can be as basic or as luxurious as you choose. There are creperies and bistros serving everyday fare with the occasional freezer case of Berthillon tucked in the corner. In addition, you'll find a few middle-of-the-road restaurants serving traditional French food in an old-fashioned "gaulois" atmosphere, and one Japanese sushi bar, "Isami", which dots the Quai d'Orléans near the Rue de Deux Ponts. But if you prefer a truly excellent meal, the Orangerie and Mon Vieil Ami are gastronomic specialists that will delight the palate and are the perfect place to celebrate an occasion.

Currently, the island's existence is both contrasting and paradoxical. While the surrounding banks explode with city life, mobs of people, and avenues congested with traffic, the island seems to escape this hustle and bustle, resembling a small town rather than a booming metropolis. At the same time, the island remains at the historical, cultural, and physical center of Paris, only minutes from some of the most well known monuments, museums, and places of interests. Ile Saint-Louis is both at the very heart of the city and removed from it in mentality.

Those that come to this unique place range in their characteristics from humble to bourgeois, French to international. They are both tourists and long-time, permanent residents. All those who come are drawn there because of its exceptional history, charm, and tranquility. A package that has delighted for centuries and will surely continue to do so well into the future.