Will be there in late April for our first time in Paris (for our 20th anniv.) and would like your choices. We like small, informal (and inexpensive) rest., love chocolate, and are open to other "walk around" things to do in that area. Thanks, Mike.

There is a good Lebanese cafe/ restaurant there called La Taverne du Nil at 16, rue le Regrattier. This is supposed to be its URL from a French portal (nomade.fr), but it doesn't work for me:<BR> http://www.la-taverne.com/<BR><BR>Here is its description from the Pariscope guide, it lists prix fixe dinners at 140-200F which includes some wine<BR> http://www.pariscope.fr/cgi-o2/Gastr...staurant?51429

I agree with Christina! I was there last October 'Taverne de Nil', and was really impressed with the food and the nice staff.

There are several very good restaurants and cafes on the Ile Saint-Louis. Two of our favorites: (i) L'Orangerie, intimate, continental, though not inexpensive, and, (ii) Monte Cristo, primarily northern Italien, moderately priced. Both are on rue St-Louis-en-l'Ile. Doubtless you've heard of Bertillon's, purveyors of the most touted ice cream on the continent. Cross the Pont Saint-Louis to the Ile de la Cite and try the Vieux Bistro, in the shadow of Notre Dame (14 rue de Cloitre-Notre-Dame). Sites nearby that may interest you: Conciergerie, Saint-Chapelle, Notre Dame Cathedral, towers, crypt (at the parvis); north to the Marais, and the Picasso museum; east to Place des Vosges; south to the Pantheon, Musee National Moyen Age and Luxembourg Garden; west to the Louvre, Tuileries Gardens, Musee d'Orsay. A good web site to visit for a walk about the island:http://ilestlouis.away.fr/index2.html. Take time to stroll around the quais and discover the residences of Marie Curie, Georges Pompidou and other fortunate souls.

It all sounds great and am printing out your replies. Thanks much for the help, Mike.<BR>Of course if anyone else has a suggestion...

There are several very nice shops on the Ile - artwork, spices, chocolate, clothing...<BR><BR>The St Louis-en-l'Ile church is very pretty; it's a venue for concerts all year, most of them free or a nominal sum.<BR><BR>Just across pont Sully is the Square Henri-Galli, which has a few stones left from the Bastille prison.

I really second Elvira's mention of the local church on the main center stree -- (Eglise St-Louis). It is a beautiful example of that flamboyant Jesuit plan Baroque church style of late 1600s-early 1700s, later than many of the churches of Paris which makes it interesting. They have excellent concerts in there; I heard the St. Petersburg Radio Symphony Chorus doing Mozart's Requiem which was simply heavenly! I don't suppose this is of interest, it would be if you had small children with you (esp. girls), but there is a good tea salon on the island, La Charlotte en l'Ile, oriented to children; they make candy, also, I think (chocolate!). Well, maybe for gifts or something. I can't find a good citation on it, try this:<BR>http://thinkparis.com/guides/tips/display.cfm?Tip_ID=143&SubCategory_ID=42<BR><BR>He re's an article I found for you on the island and things to see and shops:<BR>http://www.bparis.com/newsletter1464...attrib_id=1839 <BR><BR>This is very arcane, but there is a Polish library on the quai to the south (d'Orleans),dedicated to Adam Mickiewicz (?) which also has some scores and papers and artifacts of Chopin, main repository for him in Paris as he does not have his own museum (which I think he should, that is a campaign of mine). It isn't open every day, odd hours, and I don't have address handy but it's a few doors to west of the bridge just before rue Bude. If you're interested, I can look stuff up. (I know you prob. aren't, don't worry).

I stayed on the Ile last April and am going back with 3 friends this April because we loved it SO MUCH!<BR><BR>Charlotte's has GREAT hot chocolate. Auberge de la Reine Blanche 30, rue Sainte-Louis-en-L’Ile (Closed Wed. & no Thur. lunches) is a great place for lunch or dinner, with a large menu that includes huge Berthillon desserts. Nos Encetres Les Gaulois isn't small and cozy but was lots of fun with a strolling musician and get-your-own wine out of huge barrels.<BR><BR>Last year we stayed at Hotel Des Deux Ile's and this year will stay at it's sister Hotel Lutece. Very quaint with a friendly staff. <BR><BR>We also loved the little shops all along the main street. Have a great time. If it's the end of April we may see you there!<BR>

Somewhere on the north side on the quai is the high water mark for the 1910 flood (the waters of the Seine came up to the bottom of the bridges). I'm sorry I can't remember where, but keep an eye out. There is a wonderful book by Sarah Smith called The Knowledge of Water (a mystery of sorts) that takes place during that time.

We rented a fabulous apt. on the St. Louis from a company called 'guest apartments' for the same price as a cramped hotel in the St. Germain- and we thoroughly enjoyed our kitchen and views of the Seine...(believe it or not, especially at night when the Bateaux-Mouches lights cast moving shadows of our wrought iron balconies across the walls and ceiling!)<BR><BR>Also, found a fantastic shoppe on the island 'La Petite Scierie' that sells country foie gras and cassoulet from their farm near the Loire, we bought so many jars I can't believe we got them all home! They give you a 'degustation' of the items and a glass of wine to boot...it was hard to leave empty handed.<BR>

Wendy: Do you have the cotact for Guest Apartments? Thanks.<BR>Judy<BR>

Thanks to Alex, Christina, Eva, Elvira, Lori, Sue, Wendy, and (whew!) Sunni too, one and all.<BR>We love N. It. food and will find Monte Chistos. My wife playing Chopin is what clenched the deal - for me anyway, it took her about 2 minutes longer - 20 yrs. ago. Wine from barrels! (as in Spain when we were first married and counting pennies and living on wine from barrels, olives from street vendors, bread, and each other), and thanks for choc. @ Charlottes (great choc. is my next favorite addiction), and, well, everyone sharing their thoughts on what they like about “cow island.” I’ll let you all know if I find more great chocolate. Merci. Mike.<BR>

5, quai d'anjou<BR>Paris 75004<BR>Tel: 01.44.07.06.20<BR>Fax: 01.46.33.37.73<BR>E-mail: [email protected]

Here is one link with the address and some info on the Chopin Salon collection within the Polish library<BR>http://www.paris.org/Monuments/Chopin/info.html<BR><BR>The address is 6, quai d'Orleans and that says it is only open for guided tours Thursday afternoons. If you do want to see it (and it's right nearby), you might call first as I think they can be somewhat erratic in following that schedule.<BR>

The heroine of The Knowledge of Water is a classical pianist (not too successful because woman) whose also losing her sight. Do you get the feeling that this is all coming together?

"Charlotte's has GREAT hot chocolate."<BR><BR>I absolutely agree. Be warned, though, that it's made by melting chocolate bars, and is as rich as it sounds.<BR><BR>But no regrets. And the shop itself is a gem.