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Stumbling along...Paris' Ile St. Louis
by Jacy Meyer
Wandering aimlessly is one of my favorite
vacation activities. You never know what you could stumble upon or whom
you may meet. In Paris, it should be mandatory to take evening strolls
through the city streets. One very special evening can be spent
visiting Ile St. Louis.
If you have been to Ile St. Louis’ sister island, Ile de la Cité, you will notice it feels touristy, while Ile St. Louis
is more residential and old world. Only about six thousand permanent
residents live on this small isle and there are few touristic
destinations, compared to Cité. But that in and of
itself is reason enough to make a special visit here. The beautiful
buildings lining the banks transport you back hundreds of years. The
unique architecture shows off the time period; many of the buildings
were built in the early to mid 1600’s. Maybe because of its
residential, old world feel you can almost forget you are in one of the
most modern cities in Europe.
Take the subway to the Cité metro station. It’s a round about way to reach Ile St. Louis,
but an evening’s stroll is part of tonight’s entertainment.
Turn right through the square, and right again when you get to Rue de la Cité. Take the road all the way to the river Seine. Notre Dame Cathedral at night will of course be beautiful. Turn left on Quai du Marché Neuf and stroll between the Seine and Notre Dame.
When you get to the end of the Ile, cross the Pont St. Louis (St Louis Bridge). Turn left onto Quai de Bourbon. The river, wonderful old buildings, and a quiet street awash in the glow of street lamps. Of particular note on Quai de Bourbon is #19. For a while (1899-1913), sculptor Camille Claudel worked
here. Claudel and Rodin were lovers, although Rodin became jealous of
her talent and played a role in her being locked up in a psychiatric
ward later on. History repaired partly this terrible injustice, and
Camille Claudel’s most famous works are now being displayed at Musée Rodin.
Quai de Bourbon turns into Quai D’Anjou. On D’Anjou is the Hotel de Lauzun, #17. Built in 1656-57 by architect Louis Le Vau,
this elegant mansion is owned today by the City of Paris, and can be
toured during limited visiting hours. Its magnificent barocco
façade is definitely worth a pause. And #29 once sheltered the Three Mountain Press, edited by Ezra Pound and which published works by Ernest Hemingway, among others.
At the end of this short street, turn right and then right again onto Rue St. Louis en L’isle. If it’s dinnertime, stop at L’Auberge de la Reine Blanche. Call ahead for reservations (Tel: 0146330787). The restaurant is across from the Bibliothèque Jeunesse.
During the day, tourists and residents
alike visit the chic boutiques, specialty food shops and upscale art
galleries rather than tourist shops that line the Rue St. Louis en L’Isle. Also on Rue St. Louis en L’Isle is Eglise St. Louis en L’Isle. While not much to look at from the outside, a drab exterior masks a beautifully ornate interior done in the roccoco style. The church has limited visiting hours, but does hold concerts on occasion.
When it’s time to walk off your meal, continue your journey on Rue St. Louis en L’Isle until you reach Rue des deux Ponts,
turning right. If dinner wasn’t in your plans, or if you can
squeeze something else in after your meal, you must stop for a
delicious sorbet at the walk-up window of Dom Cannelle
Restaurant and Pastry Shop. Sorbets sold on Ile St Louis are made by
Berthillon, now a household name. Berthillon used to sell their renown
sorbets directly, but they changed their retail policy a few years ago.
Today you can find their sorbets at many shops on Ile St Louis, but
should you want to have one directly at Berthillon, you would have to
take a cup of tea or chocolate at their tea salon.
Head back to Rue St. Louis en L’Isle. If sorbet wasn’t what you were in the mood for, Calixte will satisfy your sweet tooth with a wonderful array of pastries.
If you are truly in a Parisian mood, across from Calixte is a supermarket, Le Prestige de l’alimentation. Pop in for a bottle of wine, and re-cross the street to Boulanger Patissier (the baker) for a baguette and some sweets. At the end of the block cross the bridge back to Ile de la Cité and, if the park in the back and side of Notre Dame Cathedral is still open, enjoy your picnic.
Returning home, cross back to Ile St. Louis, turning right this time and walk along the Quai d’Orléans. Turn left on Rue des deux Ponts and cut back through the isle to the Pont Mariemetro station on the other side of the Seine. Maybe now you are hungry enough to cap off the night with some sorbet from Dom Cannelle’s.
If you keep walking straight on Quai d’Orléans, the name changes to Quai de Béthune. Nobel Prize winner Marie Curie lived at #36 for a time until her death from radiation-induced cancer in 1934.
Alternatively, if it’s on the way
back to your hotel, walk along the Seine for as long as possible. You
will see friends laughing in the moonlight, families strolling under
street lamps, and sweethearts whispering softly in the shadows; all
enjoying the evening along with you.
While I always felt safe in Paris, it is a
good idea to watch your surroundings and keep personal belongings close
to you, especially at night. Paris is a remarkable place, and exploring
it at night will give you a new perspective and wonderful memories.
Copyright (c) 2007 - www.paris-hotel-by-district.com CH. All rights reserved.
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 Read Jacy Meyer's feature on Jardin des Plantes
Read Jacy Meyer's feature on Ile de la Cité
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