New York Habitat [ Ссылка ] introduces you to another charming area of Paris, the ''Ile-Saint-Louis''. In this video tour you will discover the Ile-Saint-Louis, the lovely island on the Seine River right behind Notre-Dame Cathedral.

Feel free to discover other video tours of Paris from New York Habitat, such as the video tour of the Champs Elysees in Paris part 1 [ Ссылка ] & part 2 [ Ссылка ] .

This video features :

The Classic Townhouses on Ile-Saint-Louis
Dating back to the seventeenth century, the island's buildings are for the most part townhouses built for members of the rich middle class, many of them officials who worked for Louis XIV. Since those times, the island has had many illustrious residents such as the poet Baudelaire, physicist Marie Curie and Voltaire. In the 1920s it was a favorite haunt of Hemingway.

Definition of "Hôtel"
Many historic buildings in France have the word "Hôtel" in their names. This does not mean they are actually hotels; in French "hotel often refers to a prestigious single family residence or mansion.

The Hôtel Lauzun (17 quai d'Anjou)
The Hôtel Lauzun is just such a mansion. One of the most beautiful in all of Paris, the mansion is famous for two things: its exquisite baroque interior and its later residents. You can take a guided tour of the mansion every Tuesday. Baudelaire lived here while writing some of the poems of his famous Flowers of Evil (Les Fleurs du mal).

3 quai d'Anjou
The house at 3 quai d'anjou was designed by and the personal residence of Louis Le Vau.

The Hôtel Lambert (1 quai d'Anjou)
Another of Paris' finest mansions is the Hôtel Lambert. In the nineteenth century, the Polish government bought the mansion and welcomed Polish exiles such as the musician Chopin and the poet Adam Mickiewicz, together with their French friends. This mansion had a large garden, which was unusual for a mansion on the island, as there was so little space.

24-26 quai de Bethune - Pompidou Residence
The building at 24-26 quai de Bethune was built on the site of a beautiful mansion also designed by Louis Le Vau. All that is left of the old mansion are the door panels, but they are considered the loveliest doors on the island. This is where the late president of France, Georges Pompidou, lived.

The Polish Library and Adam Mickiewicz Museum (6 quai d'Orléans)
The Polish Library Building also houses three museums in one, the first devoted to the Polish poet Adam Mickiewicz, the second to Chopin, and the third to artist Boleslas Biegas. It can be visited on Thursdays.

New York Habitat has many apartments [ Ссылка ] both on and around Ile-Saint-Louis where you can stay during your stay in Paris. So, skip the hotel and live like a real Parisian by renting your own apartment in the heart of Paris, and find a nice vacation rental [ Ссылка ] through New York Habitat.

For example, this studio vacation rental (PA-4141) [ Ссылка ] is located on Ile-Saint-Louis. The apartment includes a fully-equipped kitchen with all of the necessities to prepare a meal in the apartment and feel right at home!

This furnished 2-Bedroom Apartment (PA-4166) [ Ссылка ] is also located on the Ile-Saint-Louis. With a fully equipped kitchen and accommodations for up to 6 people, this is a great apartment to feel like home during your stay in Paris.

New York Habitat provides also a nice selection of Bed & Breakfast [ Ссылка ] all over Paris.

Ice Cream
You may want to sample the ice cream for which Ile-Saint-Louis is famous. The Parisians deem it to be the best in Paris. A favorite is Berthillon ice cream which has its headquarters on rue Saint-Louis-en-Ile.

L'Eglise Saint-Louis-en-l'Ile
The Saint-Louis-en-l'Ile church, designed once again by Le Vau was dedicated to King Louis IX, who after his death was made a saint. The front, hemmed in by buildings, hides a white interior, highly decorated with gilt, and filled with works of art and other treasures. It is a splendid setting for the many concerts given here throughout the year.

Be sure to leave us your feedback in the comments section below if you've visited the area and know of something that has been left off of today's video tour.

Don't hesitate to check out the New York Habitat's blog [ Ссылка ] for more info.

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