Paris: The Charming Île Saint-Louis Self-Guided Audio Tour

Île Saint-Louis is located in the heart of Paris, right in the middle of the Seine River – the smaller of the two neighboring islands. With this tour, you will learn that Île Saint-Louis is home to some of the most picturesque streets of the French capital, and the finest 17th-century architecture. Slowly walking by elegant mansions, you will enjoy a relaxed atmosphere that is usually so hard to find in the center of a bustling city.

Our walk starts right at the Pont Marie bridge; you will make a full circle around the island and come to the starting point again. Sauntering along the Quai d'Anjou quay, you will see the charming Le Petit Théâtre de l'Île Saint-Louis and probably have a chance to peek into its little secret courtyard.

This island is an exceptional destination because almost all the beautiful buildings you will admire on the way are private dwellings. Looking at the impressive Hôtel de Lauzun, you'll listen to the stories of its prominent owners and inhabitants. Further on the way, you will stop by the Hôtel Hesselin, where the late President of France, Georges Pompidou, used to live. Among all these buildings, you will recognize the famous Hôtel Lambert, the Hôtel Chenizot with its exquisite rococo façade, and also see the house where Marie Curie used to live in the 20th century!

And Hôtel de Coomans, also known as the Hôtel de Richelieu – does it have something in common with the cunning Cardinal Richelieu? Let's take a stroll and find out together.