Cité Isle

The Île de la Cité, together with the Île Saint-Louis, is one of the two natural islands of the Seine. It was on this small island that the first tribes settled — the people of the Parisii. From the Romans through to the 15th century, it served as the centre of both temporal power — with the construction of the Conciergerie — and spiritual power — with the building of the Cathedral of Notre-Dame.

Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Île de la Cité is home to its finest monuments, forming the largest Gothic architectural ensemble — both religious and civic — in France. This circuit will take you to unmissable landmarks including the Conciergerie, the Sainte-Chapelle, and the Cathedral of Notre-Dame, immortalised by Victor Hugo's celebrated novel.

This tour is highly recommended for anyone wishing to discover the capital for the first time. And how could one resist the charm of the secret place Dauphine? There, in the shade of tall trees, at number 15, stood the former home of Simone Signoret and Yves Montand.