Paris - Ile Saint-Louis

The Ile Saint-Louis was formed in 1609 out of two smaller islands, the Ile aux Vaches and the Ile Notre-Dame. Under a project initiated by Cardinal Richelieu and carried out by three contractors, Marie, Poulletier and Le Regrattier, the two little islands were joined, connected with the right bank of the Seine by two bridges and laid out on a rectangular grid with houses in uniform style. By 1664 the work was completed and the first craftsmen and merchants had moved in; and soon afterwards they were followed by the aristocracy, who built their elegant mansions along the quais. In addition to the noble families illustrious writers such as Charles Baudelaire, Théophile Gautier, Camille Claudel and Emile Zola came to live on the island, and other residents have included Voltaire, Rousseau and such famous statesmen as Léon Blum and Georges Pompidou. And the 6,000 inhabitants of the island still include well-to-do writers and artists. Much of the 17th century architecture has preserved its character and its dignity. The harmony of the close packed lines of houses, the little cafes where a petit noir can be enjoyed at leisure, the quiet quais and the aura of the past which pervades the island give it a particular charm. Along the island's main street, Rue Saint- Louis-en-l'Ile, are numbers of little shops, cozy crêperies and smart restaurants, often in vaulted cellars, which form an attractive setting for an elegant meal. A stroll along the quais or a picnic on the banks of the Seine offers views of the Hôtel de Ville on the right bank of the Seine, the Quartier Latin and the Panthéon on the left bank and, to the west, the Ile de la Cité and Notre- Dame.