A typical scene on le Pont St. Louis…


Dancing girl from Paula Maack on Vimeo.

Pont St. Louis is the tiny pedestrian bridge that links together the two islands on the Seine: Ile de Cite and Ile St. Louis.
View Larger Map

If you examine the map above, you will notice the green patch with the cross-patterned building toward the bottom left, which is Notre Dame Cathedral and it’s surrounding gardens. The bridge leads from there to the tiny island of Ile St. Louis, which is home to some rather upscale residences dating back centuries, as well as several restaurants and shops, including the famed Berthillon Ice Cream and Salon de The, located at 29-31 rue saint Louis en l’ile.

I recommend dining at the Salon de The, and enjoying their incredible Apple Tart Tatin with a scoop of Caramel ice cream, as I did - it is out of this world! And, perhaps follow it with a cafe noisette (espresso with a dash of steamed milk), which I found the perfect finish. And if that doesn’t sell you, David Lebovitz called it the best Apple Tart Tatin in Paris - see for yourself (he includes a gorgeous photo).

Tony, who ordered a very popular and rather delicious raspberry ice cream parfait declared my Apple Tart Tatin with caramel ice cream “the bomb,” and resented his dessert after the first taste of mine. I, on the other hand, loved both desserts, but declared mine the hands-down winner, and without question the best dessert I had while in Paris, and I had a lot of amazing dessert in Paris.

If you are just looking for a quick scoop of the world-renowned ice cream (considered by most foodies and food publications alike to be the best in the world), avoid the authentic Berthillon shop with it’s line around the block. You can get the exact same Berthillon glaces and sorbets at less crowded, and sometimes even empty, vendors all along rue St. Louis en L’Ile, without the wait.

Take your iced treat for a stroll of the island, with it’s authentic butcher shops and shops filled with confitures (fruit preserves), canned fois gras, pates and spices.

And take a stroll over Pont St. Louis, which is notorious for it’s street entertainment.

This fellow below seems to be a permanent staple. He makes quite an impression.

Just beware of crazy mimes and the like. They love to play off tourists, which is great fun indeed.

Visited on Saturday, May 17, 2008, and Saturday May 24, 2008