Beverly

Has anyone stayed at the Hotel Jeu de Paume on Ile St Louis, Paris? I have seen posts that Ile St. Louis is one of the places to visit in Paris (because?) but have not heard of anyone staying there. Is this location walking distance to many of the sights/neighborhoods to vist? Thanks for any info.

Jean

We loved Ile St. Louis. Just a couple blocks to metro stations running along either banks. The island is very self-contained: patisserie, charcuterie, meat, fish and veggie markets, newstand, numerous reasonably-priced restaurants. Very quiet, especially after restaurants close for the night.<BR><BR>We stayed at the Jeu de Paume in 1997. Our room and bathroom were small but adequate, comfortable and very quiet. Staff was very friendly and helpful. I think it has recently undergone some renovation or redecoration. Rates seem to be higher, but I think we'll stay there again in 2003.

c

We stayed at the Hotel de Lutece, at 65 rue St Louis en Ille..you might want to look into that hotel.We went over to the Jeu de Paume and while it was different,it was originally the tennis courts for one of the kings, and it has a nice atrium in the lobby, I liked the Lutece better.<BR>Ille St Louis is tiny, it is easy to walk everywhere from your hotel, there is the main street that runs down the middle of the Ille, and that ends at a small footbridge that takes you over to the Ille de la Cite,where facing you will be Notre Dame.It is so amazing, no matter how many photos you have seen, there is nothing like that first sight of that cathedral in person!<BR>On either side of Ille St Louis is the Seine and you cross the small ponts(bridges) to the Left Bank or Right..Your metro stations will be on the Left Bank or Right or on the Ille de la Cite.<BR>It is a good location for walking everywhere, there are several good restaurants on the Ille, a good salon de the, Berthillon Ice Cream parlor,wonderful pattiseries and boulangeries..I read that everyone in Paris wishes they could live on the Ille St Louis..<BR>Have a wonderful time~C

alex

The island is a baroque bijou. Perhaps 1/2 mile long. One main street, Rue Saint-Louis en l'Ile, with numerous very good shops, galleries, cafes and restaurants. The hotel is small, as are the rooms. Stayed at the hotel years ago (and on the island this spring past) and it was charming. I hear and read it still is.<BR>The island is a (small scale) monument to the geniuses of 17th architecture and design who planned much of it and Versailles, Louis Le Vau, Eustache Le Sueur and Charles Le Brun, and was home to a number of folks (some of) whose residences are marked by plaques, such as Marie Curie, Charles Baudelaire Georges Pompidou, several Rothschilds and Helena Rubenstein. Cross a foot brige west to Ile de la Cite and see Notre Dame, Saint-Chapelle, and the Concergerie. Cross another bridge to the North 3 blocks or so and you're on Rue de Rivoli, the street on which the Louvre stands, and, under which the main east-west Metro line runs. Immediately north is the Marais which seems to have a museum every other block, and gallery, cafe or boutique every other door. Cross south and you're in the Latin Quarter. Follow Blvd. St-Germain west from the left bank to St-Germain-des-Pres, with its cafes, clubs and fashion houses. Lively, if somewhat sanitized, street life on the weekends. For a tour try: ilestlouis.away.fr/index2.html.

Joseph

C has a great idea about De Lutece - I know someone quite well who stayed here a month or so ago - loved this hotel, including the fireplace. C was right on the mark. You may e-mail the hotel, and they respond rather quickly.

Ronda

The following site is from Gene Burns Dining Around and has some recommendations for reestaurants on the Ile St. Louis. <BR><BR>www.diningaround.com/spain.htm<BR><BR>I know it says Spain, but it has Paris, too.