a guide to Ile de la Cite
about Ile de la Cite
The two natural islands in the middle of the Seine pack a great deal of sightseeing and entertainment into such a relatively small space. The jewel in the crown is undoubtedly Nôtre-Dame Cathedral, one of the most popular religious sites in the world, visited by millions of people each year.
Accessible via the famous Pont Neuf, Île de la Cité is also the home of Saint-Chapelle church, arguably as equally impressive a spectacle as the bigger, more widely known Nôtre-Dame. The grisly side of French history is also to be found here in the Conciergerie, notorious as the final stop on Marie Antoinette's journey to the guillotine, a tale recounted in the building's museum. These days, a markedly improved standard of justice is meted out at the island's Palais de Justice de Paris.
Either from taking the Pont Saint Louis between the two islands, or accessing it via the mainland using the Pont de Sully, Île Saint Louis, whilst not boasting as many big draws as its neighbour, provides a surprisingly relaxed atmosphere at the epicentre of the frantic goings on in the nearby 1er and 5ème.
Our tip: Whilst exploring Nôtre-Dame, look out for the sinister gargoyles in the Galeries Chimère.
top hotels in Ile De La CiteHotels in Ile de la Cite
how to get there
by car
Exit the Périphérique at Junction 11 (Porte de Saint-Cloud) and take the first right off the slip road, before turning right at the first opportunity onto Rue Général Niox. From here, finding the islands is a simple matter of following the river around, with the Pont Neuf appearing on your right just after the Louvre on the left, and access is available via a choice of bridges.
For satellite navigation systems enter postcode 75004.
Nearest underground parking: Pont Neuf/Harlay, Quai des Orfévres, 75004
by bus
The 21, 38, 58, 70, 85 and 96 services run through the centre of the Île de la Cité, while those wishing to start their visit on the Île Saint Louis should take the number 67 bus.
by tube
Nearest station: Cité (Line 4)
From Gare du Nord: Take Line 4 towards Porte d'Orléans straight to Cité (8 stops).
From Gare de Lyon: Take Line 14 towards Saint Lazare, changing at Châtelet (1 stop) for Line 4 in the direction of Porte d'Orléans, which will take you to Cité (1 stop).
From Gare Montparnasse: Take Line 4 towards Porte de Clignancourt, which stops at Cité (7 stops).
by train
Nearest RER station: St-Michel-Nôtre-Dame (RER B, RER C)
attractions
upcoming events
Dec 10
-
21
Dec 13
Almost 600 years after its completion, Notre Dame de Paris continues to inspire the masses that flock there annually. Begun in 1160 by Bishop de Sully, the cathedral was completed in 1345, the <i>piece de resistance</i> its spectacular rose windows.
Jun 12
-
20
Jun 12
Well-loved, tumbledown bookshop, Shakespeare & Company, started the FestivalandCo literary festival back in 2003. Since then, it has become Paris' single most important English-Language event, attracting over 5000 punters to Square René Viviani with poetry readings, debates and book signings.
Jan 11
-
06
Jan 14
Sainte-Chapelle on Île de la Cité is a breathtaking, bi-level, 13th-century chapel built to house St Louis's relics of the True Cross. The sun shining through the stained-glass windows provides a multi-coloured light show.
