The Île Saint-Louis at a glance
The Île Saint-Louis sits in the Seine in the centre of Paris, right next to the Île de la Cité. The two islands are linked by the Pont Saint-Louis, a bridge meant for people on foot and on bikes. That makes it easy to combine the two in one walk.
Visitors come for the walk itself: a loop around the quays and a stroll through the narrow streets of the island. Besides the walk, there are three practical reasons to come here: the Berthillon ice cream shop, the Bras Marie bathing site in summer, and the bouquinistes' boxes on the quays nearby.
This is an independent guide. It is not run by the city, by the shops or by any boat operator.
How to walk the island
A simple route without a fixed schedule.
1. Start at Sully-Morland
Take metro line 7 to Sully-Morland, the stop used for walks around the island. From there, cross onto the Île Saint-Louis.
2. Walk the island
Go around the island by its quays and along its streets. A walk needs no ticket, and you can shorten or extend it as you like. Look at the Seine from the quays, and watch for boats passing on both sides.
3. Cross to the Île de la Cité
Use the Pont Saint-Louis, which is for people on foot and on bikes. On the other side you reach the Île de la Cité, where Notre-Dame stands. For the cathedral, see the Île de la Cité guide.
Seine boat trips near the islands
See the islands from the river. Compare trips by length, time of day and price.
Berthillon ice cream
One named shop on the island, with its own hours.
The original Berthillon shop is at 29–31 rue Saint-Louis-en-l'Île. It is open from Wednesday to Sunday, 10:00 to 20:00. On Monday and Tuesday it does not open as a rule.
Those hours are for the original shop only. Other sellers on the island have their own days and hours, so do not assume they follow the same pattern. Prices change, so ask before you order if the price matters to you.
What lies around the island
Places within sight of the quays.
Across the water from the island, between the Pont Louis-Philippe and the Pont Marie, is the Bras Marie bathing site. In summer 2026 it was open daily from 8:00 to 18:00, from 4 July to 30 August. Details and rules are on the swimming page.
The bouquinistes' boxes on the right bank run from the Pont Marie to the Pont des Arts. More on them on the riverbanks page.
One operator starts its one-hour trips from the Square du Vert-Galant, at the tip of the Île de la Cité below the Pont Neuf, with metro stops Pont Neuf (line 7), Cité (line 4) and Louvre-Rivoli (line 1) nearby. The Batobus has stops named Notre Dame and Jardin des Plantes along this stretch of river. See the Batobus page.
Combine the island with other stops
Three ways to fill a day around the island.
With a boat trip
One operator, Vedettes du Pont Neuf, runs a one-hour trip by day and in the evening from the Square du Vert-Galant, with commentary in French and English. A timed e-ticket was €15 for adults and €7 for children in 2026, and tickets bought on site were €17 and €9. The trips start daily from 10:30. Check the day's availability before you plan around a time.
With the Batobus
The Batobus has a 24-hour pass for €23 and a 48-hour pass for €27 for adults in 2026. You need your own ticket, even if you hold a Navigo pass. Read the Batobus page for stops and hours.
With the metro
A single ticket for metro, train and RER costs €2.55 in 2026 and is valid for up to 2 hours without leaving the network. Buses and trams need a separate ticket at €2.05.
More from the Seine
Pages that fit a day on the water.
Île Saint-Louis: frequently asked questions
How do I get to the Île Saint-Louis?
Take metro line 7 to Sully-Morland and walk onto the island. You can also reach it on foot from the Île de la Cité by the Pont Saint-Louis.
When is Berthillon open?
The original shop at 29–31 rue Saint-Louis-en-l'Île is open Wednesday to Sunday, 10:00 to 20:00. It is not open on Monday and Tuesday.
Is the Île Saint-Louis the same as the Île de la Cité?
No. They are two islands next to each other, linked by the Pont Saint-Louis. Notre-Dame is on the Île de la Cité.
Can I swim near the Île Saint-Louis?
In summer there is a supervised bathing site, Bras Marie, opposite the island. In 2026 it was open daily from 4 July to 30 August. Swimming elsewhere in the river is forbidden.
Can I take a boat from here?
A boat operator starts its trips at the Square du Vert-Galant, on the tip of the Île de la Cité, near the Pont Neuf. See the cruise page for other departure points.