ÎLE DE LA CITÉ

Description

Essentials about the Île de la Cité in brief

If Paris has something like a center, it is the Île de la Cité. Located in the Seine, the island is also the oldest part of the French capital and an absolute must-see in Paris due to its top sights. It is home to Notre-Dame Cathedral and the former royal residence Palais de la Cité with the palace chapel Sainte-Chapelle and the Conciergerie. The Île de la Cité is connected by nine bridges with both banks of the Seine and its neighboring island, Île Saint-Louis.

The history of the Île de la Cité

Île de la Cité was already settled in antiquity, first by Celts and later by the Romans. When the Frankish king Clovis I made Paris the capital of his empire in the early 6th century, Île de la Cité again formed the center. Even in Roman times, the island was connected to both banks of the Seine by wooden bridges. From the 14th century, stone bridges were built for the first time. However, all ancient and medieval bridges were destroyed over the centuries. The oldest bridge in Paris still standing today is the Pont Neuf, built from 1578 to 1607 during the reigns of Henry III and Henry IV. An equestrian statue on the bridge still commemorates King Henry IV. The most important square on Île de la Cité is the triangular Place Dauphine on the western tip of the island. It is one of the five Royal Squares of Paris.

The charm of the Île de la Cité

Due to its very central location, Île de la Cité is the starting point for many tourists visiting Paris. But if you want to take a break from all the sightseeing, you can also do that very well on the island. The picturesque banks of the Seine invite you to eat a snack or drink a glass of wine in peace. Especially in the evening, when Paris and its Seine bridges are beautifully illuminated, the Île de la Cité has its very special charm.