Île de la Cité

Île de la Cité

Introduction Île de la Cité is the geographical center of Paris and the birthplace of its history. The name “Paris” originally comes from the Parisii, a group of fishermen who lived on the island during the 3rd century BC.

In the 1st century BC, the Roman army invaded and built embankments connecting the island in the Seine River to the Left Bank, initiating the long process of urban expansion. By the 6th century, Emperor Charlemagne had established his capital on Île de la Cité, marking the early formation of Paris as the capital of France. In the 12th century, Louis VII began constructing the magnificent Notre-Dame Cathedral on the island, making Île de la Cité the spiritual center of the Parisians.

Île de la Cité lies at the very heart of the city, yet remains apart from the world—detached from the aristocratic Right Bank and the bohemian Left Bank—becoming a sanctuary for cultural greats: Rousseau, Zola, Hugo, Balzac, Maupassant, Monet, Gauguin, Cézanne, Van Gogh… They thought, created, and produced some of France’s greatest treasures here. Transportation: Metro Line 4, Cité Station.

Paris, France