Ile de la Cité, Ile St-Louis and Beaubourg

The fourth arrondissment of Paris has everything and more for central Paris breaks. This area is geographically and historically the whole reason why Paris exists where it is now. The two islands in the middle of the Seine river formed the perfect place for settlement, defence and trading. The best place in Europe to found a capital city.

Notre Dame

Notre Dame de Paris the famous landmark dominates the Ile de la Cité and surrounding left bank to some extent as well whereas the Ile St-Louis has aristocratic town houses, courtyards and antiques shops. Also on the Ile de la Cité there is another Gothic church the Sainte Chapelle. Notre Dame seems to be surrounded by more building of authority – the police headquarters and law courts. But you can also find France’s finest bird and flower markets along the side walks of the island banks. Marie Antoinette was sentenced to death here in 1793.

Ile St Louis

The Ile St Louis, was in previous times nothing more than a cow pasture and popular dueling ground, but now is home to dozens of 17th century mansions and 6,000 lucky Louisiens, its permanent residents.

Pompidou Centre

The 4th arrondissement of Paris is also home to the controversial seventies building the Centre Pompidou, which is actually one of the top three attractions in France these days because of the high profile modern art exhibitions held there. let’s not forget the Place des Vosges, a square of perfect harmony and beauty where Victor Hugo lived from 1832 to 1848 and penned many of his famous masterpieces. Victor Hugo’s house is now a museum.

Central Paris Breaks

Wherever you stay on a short paris break you are likely to be visiting or at least wandering past the 4th arrondissement of central Paris so if you can manage to secure a hotel right in the middle of that are it will be fantastically convenient, if somewhat expensive. You could also stay nearby in the Marais or the Latin Quarter and still be just a few minutes walk across some of the most beautiful bridges in the world.

The Sacre Coeur has become one of the iconic landmarks of Paris, because of its unusual eastern style architecure, white stonework and the location at the top of la butte de Montmartre.
But as a ‘must see’ destination for short Paris breaks I’d have to give a few warnings. There’s not so much to do or see as you might think. The interior of the church is dark, because the stones from which is was made have the peculiar characteristic of being white only when exposed to sunlight. And the church is not really that old.

On the other hand the view from the top presents one of the few opportunities to look out over Paris, spot the eiffel tower, chatelet, Montparnasse tower, the Opera and the rest of the parisian skyline.

So on a sunny day it may be worth climbing all the steps for the view and the sense of being outdoors above the city. There is a funicular railway which is sort of part of the metro system but last time I was there it was closed for safety reasons, a bit like La Samaritaine.