Was Avenue des Îles always called that? Probably not. This avenue shares its name with a captivating aspect of Paris: its islands. Let’s explore the story of these Parisian islands and their secrets.
Paris boasts several havens of tranquility. These include quiet streets, gardens, and hidden courtyards. The capital also teems with green spaces nestled between waterways. Two main islands exist. Île de la Cité and Île Saint-Louis sit in the heart of Paris.
Île de la Cité is the ancient cradle of the city. Once, Paris was called Lutetia. The island connects to the city via ten bridges. It houses France’s most visited monument: Notre-Dame Cathedral. The Saint-Louis bridge connects it to Île Saint-Louis. Unlike its neighbor, Île Saint-Louis exudes calm. It is ideal for romantic walks. A visit to Berthillon for an apricot-raspberry sorbet or tiramisu ice cream is a must.
Île aux Cygnes stands out. It is the most discreet and least known of the Parisian islands. This island stretches 890 meters long but is only eleven meters wide. It lies between the Bir-Hakeim and Grenelle bridges. At one end stands a small Statue of Liberty. It measures 11.50 meters tall. This is a replica of the real Statue of Liberty. The actual name is “Liberty Enlightening the World”. The United States gifted it to France in 1889. This celebrated the centennial of the French Revolution.
The Bois de Boulogne island is a well-kept secret. It sits on the Lac Inférieur. Access is quick and free via a river shuttle or boat. Emperor Napoleon III gifted it to his wife Eugénie in 1880. A Swiss chalet in its center is authentic. It was completely dismantled. Then it was transported by train. Finally, it was rebuilt identically to fulfill the Empress’s wish. In the early 20th century, it became a hub for the French literary scene. Proust and Zola frequented it. “Chalet des Îles” offers a gourmet break by the water.
The Bois de Vincennes features islands perfect for boat rides. Unlike the other islands, it sits on the Lac Inférieur. Access is quick and free via river shuttle or boat. Emperor Napoleon III gifted it to his wife Eugénie in 1880. A Swiss chalet in its center is authentic. It was completely dismantled. Then it was transported by train. Finally, it was rebuilt identically to fulfill the Empress’s wish. In the early 20th century, it became a hub for the French literary scene. Proust and Zola frequented it. “Chalet des Îles” offers a gourmet break by the water.
Several ancient islands disappeared over time. Île Louviers was once comparable in size to Île Saint-Louis. It disappeared when the arm of the Seine was filled in 1843. Île aux Vaches and Île Notre-Dame merged to form Île Saint-Louis in the 17th century. Île de Buci was separated from Île-aux-Juifs by a narrow canal. Île aux Juifs served as the site of Jacques de Molay’s execution in 1314. Henri IV granted Île à la Gourdaine to Achille de Harlay. Harlay united it with the Cité. This formed Place Dauphine and the spur of Pont Neuf. Île du Louvre was once a sandbank. It disappeared during the construction of the Port Saint-Nicolas. Île Merdeuse was a sandbank located near the Assemblée Nationale.
The Avenue des Îles serves as a reminder of the city’s intimate connection with its islands. Each island holds unique stories and secrets. Together, they contribute to the charm of Paris.