Island Walks

Today's agenda combined two of our Paris Walks cards -- the Île St. Louis and the Île de la Cité.  These two islands are located in the city center.  In Roman times, a tribe called the Parisii settled on  Île de la Cité so this is also one of the oldest parts of Paris as well.

Our walk started at the Pont Neuf Metro stop. We are on the "Rive Droite" (Right Bank/north side) of the Seine.

We then walked along the Seine and crossed to the Rive Gauche (Left Bank) over the Pont des Arts bridge. The bridge is covered in small padlocks that represent everlasting love.

We then walked down the steps and strolled along the Quai de Conti, where several houseboats are moored alongside.

Whimsical decor in one of the houseboat windows

Passing under the Pont Neuf ("New Bridge") gives you a unique perspective on the oldest bridge in Paris.  It's over 400 years old.

Troll faces along the side of the Pont Neuf

Continuing under the bridge to the Quai des Grands Augustins, we get our first glimpse of the Notre Dame cathedral.

The next bridge we pass under is the Pont au Double.  This incarnation of the bridge is cast iron and was built in the 1880s.  In the sunlight it shines like bronze.

We get some more stellar views of Notre Dame before heading up the steps and over the Pont de l'Archevêche to the eastern tip of the Île de la Cité.

The Pont de l'Archevêche is also covered in locks.  Paris is the city of l'amour.

We stopped for coffees at the Cafe Esmeralda, named for the female character in Victor Hugo's book "The Hunchback of Notre Dame".  Then we proceeded across the tiny Pont St. Louis to get to the Île St. Louis.  There's one quiet street that runs lengthwise down the island and it has some small galleries and shops but it seems to be primarily a residential area.

Kevin on Île St. Louis

The Saint-Louis-en-l'Île church was completed in 1675 and is dedicated to Saint Louis, also known as King Louis IX of France.

Statue of St. Louis

Domed ceiling of the church

One of many vibrant frescoes inside the church

From the Quai de Bourbon, we heard the strains of accordian music and found this busker playing on the Pont Louis-Philippe.

View of Notre Dame from the Île St. Louis

We then crossed back over the Pont St. Louis to continue our island tour on the Île de la Cité, which is home to two of the most beautiful churches in Paris: Notre Dame and Sainte-Chapelle.  We took so many photos at those locations that I'll save them for a separate post.

So just to give you an idea of what the Île de la Cité is like, here are a few photos I snapped as we walked.

Parked Vélib’ bicycles (public bikes for rent), they cost only a few euros.

Interesting decoration on a door to a private residence

One of many pretty cafes and restaurants on the island

16 euros for 2 courses and a drink is kind of pricey

The Cité metro stop on Île de la Cité