Square Barye occupies the extreme eastern point of Île Saint-Louis, forming a distinct triangular shape that mirrors the prow of a ship jutting into the Seine. The garden sits on land that once hosted the expansive grounds of the…
Historic Heart of the Seine
This walk takes you through the historic cradle of Paris along the Seine's two central islands. You will encounter world-famous medieval monuments, elegant 17th-century streets, and quiet riverside squares where the city's story first began.
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1. Square Barye
2. Église Saint-Louis-en-l'Île
The Église Saint-Louis-en-l'Île is identifiable by the unusual iron clock that hangs from the side of its bell tower, extending over the street like an old-fashioned shop sign. Located in the heart of the island, the church is squeezed…
3. Pont Saint-Louis
The Pont Saint-Louis is a pedestrian bridge made of steel that links the Île de la Cité to the Île Saint-Louis. It stretches sixty-seven meters across the Seine and stands out for its flat, functional design which avoids the decorative…
4. Notre-Dame Cathedral of Paris
Notre-Dame de Paris is defined by its massive western facade, flanked by two towering square-topped bell towers that overlook the eastern end of the Île de la Cité. The limestone structure is held aloft by a skeleton of external flying…
5. Sainte-Chapelle
Sainte-Chapelle is recognized by the wall-to-wall stained glass that encases its upper level, replacing traditional heavy masonry with a glowing, translucent canopy. Built on the Île de la Cité between twelve forty-two and twelve…
6. Conciergerie
The Conciergerie is defined by four massive medieval towers—the Bonbec, Silver, Caesar, and Clock towers—that rise along the Seine riverbank on the Île de la Cité. Originally constructed as part of the Palais de la Cité, the primary…
7. Place Dauphine
Place Dauphine is a triangular public square defined by its unusual geometry and its enclosure on three sides by historic buildings. Initiated by King Henri the Fourth in sixteen oh seven, it was designed as a residential square to honor…
8. Square du Vert-Galant
The Square du Vert-Galant is a triangular park at the westernmost tip of the Île de la Cité, distinguishable by the way it points downstream into the Seine. Established in eighteen eighty-four, the park sits at a lower elevation than the…