The Beautiful Ile de la Cite

The Beautiful Ile de la Cite, Paris, France

Welcome to my 3rd post in the Best of Paris in a Week mini-series! Today’s exploration is dedicated to a gorgeous island in the Seine, known as the Ile de la Cité!

The Ile de la Cité is a beautiful and historical area in the heart of Paris. In fact, there’s a bronze star on the island marking the exact center of France! This island has been significant throughout France’s history, even serving as the capital at one point. Thanks to this rich history, there are some incredible sights and buildings here, including Notre Dame, The Concierge, and Sainte Chapelle.

If you’re jumping into the series right in the middle, this is part of a 6-day guide to the best sites in and around Paris. You can download my itinerary chart below, which is based on exploring by geographical location. (You’ll thank me later.)

Today’s tour is easily walkable, but you may want to catch the metro once of twice, too. However, you might be surprised at how many stunning places are packed onto this little island!

Your journey actually starts just a few minutes away from the island at the iconic Luxembourg Gardens! Here, you can wander the grounds around Luxembourg Palace and enjoy numerous activities from tennis to miniature sailboats! It was gorgeous even in the dead of winter when we visited, so I can only imagine how breathtaking it would be in the spring or summer! ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).
How it works: The full article is featured in the app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" on Apple App Store and Google Play Store. Download the app to your mobile device to read the article offline and create a self-guided walking tour to visit the sights featured in this article. The app's navigation functions guide you from one sight to the next. The app works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

Download The GPSmyCity App

Sights Featured in This Article

Guide Name: The Beautiful Ile de la Cite
Guide Location: France » Paris
Guide Type: Self-guided Walking Tour (Insider Tips)
Author: Carrie Cochran
Read it on Author's Website: https://carriedawaytravels.com/the-best-of-paris-in-a-week-the-beautiful-ile-de-la-cite/
Sight(s) Featured in This Guide:
  • Luxembourg Gardens
  • little Statue of Liberty
  • Medicis Fountain
  • Notre-Dame
  • Shakespeare & Co.
  • The Concierge
  • Sainte Chapelle
  • Ile de la Cité

Insider Tips for Paris, France

Guide to the 3rd Arrondissement of Paris, Le Haut Marais

Guide to the 3rd Arrondissement of Paris, Le Haut Marais

The 3rd arrondissement of Paris, often referred to as the Haut Marais, is a charming blend of heritage, artistry, and Parisian chic. Nestled in the heart of the Right Bank, this district combines centuries-old architecture with a fresh, creative energy. Whether you’re an art lover, vintage shopper, or just in search of Parisian charm away from the crowds, the 3rd delivers in spades.
Adventures in Paris Part 2

Adventures in Paris Part 2

Our second day in Paris was action packed! We hopped the metro to our first stop, the Louvre, once a medieval fortress, now the world’s largest museum.
5 Interesting Facts About the Paris Opera

5 Interesting Facts About the Paris Opera

Considering the average lifespan of a theatre in the 19th century was 13 years because of the likelihood of a fire, it’s amazing that the Palais Garnier is still standing 150 years later.
3 Days In Paris | A Perfect Weekend Itinerary

3 Days In Paris | A Perfect Weekend Itinerary

This guide is designed for first-timers, short-trippers, and anyone who wants to squeeze the most out of a city that’s full of art, croissants, and sneaky hills. From cabaret shows to catacombs, we’re covering it all—on foot, by Metro, and with plenty of café stops.
The Secrets of Paris You Can’t Miss Seeing

The Secrets of Paris You Can’t Miss Seeing

So, if you’re looking to head to Paris and want to see some things that aren’t on the normal itinerary, check out this list of some of the best hidden treasures in Paris!
Monumental Highlights to Visit in Paris

Monumental Highlights to Visit in Paris

Paris is renowned for its numerous iconic landmarks. The French capital has many impressive museums, grand palaces, picturesque squares, historic churches and other significant structures that have become famous landmarks. These monuments are a key attraction for visitors. Each monument narrates a unique story, whether it’s historical, religious, national, human-centric, or a reflection of hope...  view more

Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip

8 Must Try Cafes in Paris

8 Must Try Cafes in Paris

Discovering the best coffee and cafes in Paris can be difficult. The city is filled to the brim with brasseries and cafes, but very few offer the Anglophone standard of a good cup of coffee. This is a guide to inform tourists and Parisians alike of the new and somewhat established cafes in Paris...
Paris Souvenirs: 19 Distinctively French Products to Bring Home from Paris

Paris Souvenirs: 19 Distinctively French Products to Bring Home from Paris

You can hardly have enough money and luggage space to get all the takes your fancy in Paris. Luckily, with a little bit of tasteful advice and experience, you can save yourself some time and effort and pick up just about the right amount of things worth taking home. Listed here are some of the hints...
8 Best Food Markets in Paris for Authentic French Produce

8 Best Food Markets in Paris for Authentic French Produce

The image of Parisians that you may have in your head as strolling through a colourful market with a basket on their arm, chatting to vendors and picking up fresh produce, is quite accurate. Most Parisians do visit local markets at least once a week to stock up on the freshest fruit, vegetables,...
10 Unusual Things to Do in Paris, France

10 Unusual Things to Do in Paris, France

If you've visited Paris, you've probably seen the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, and Versailles. You probably whizzed through some world-class art, ate delicious food in restaurants with English menus, and bought crepes from a street cart. However, Paris has a lot of things to do that...
14 Places for Tasting Best French Desserts in Paris

14 Places for Tasting Best French Desserts in Paris

If you have a sweet tooth and it wishes to "eat your way" through Paris, this guide will show you how! Featured here are some of the most famous and prominent dessert spots in the French capital, where you can grab something sweet to enjoy. With 20 listed recommendations, you should be...
13 Must-Visit Cafes in Paris, France

13 Must-Visit Cafes in Paris, France

Paris is home to thousands of cafes; there is a café on practically every street corner you turn, in every square you stumble across, on every boulevard you stroll along. The age-old Parisian tradition of sitting around at rickety tables and shooting back espressos is a fundamental part of everyday...
Insider Tips Overview