Paris Plage 2011 – July 21st to August 21st

The phenomenom ofParis Plage (Paris Beach) celebrates it’s 10th anniversary over the next month on the North bank of the Seine alongside Ile de la Cite and Ile St Louis.

What is normally a busy traffic route is transformed into a beach with deckchairs, parasols, cabins and showers, boardwalks and palm trees. A continuous daily programme of cultural and sporting activities combined with specially constructed cafes, bars, restuarants and ice cream vendors completes the seaside offering.

Great fun and a novel attraction for tourists, it helps to keep Parisians who remain in the city for August, relatively cool!!

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Le Trumilou – a reliable family bistrot near Notre Dame, Ile St Louis and Hotel de Ville

Just across the Pont Louis-Philippe from Ile St Louis and not far from Notre dame and Hotel  de Ville is one of those restaurants I return to when I can’t decide where to go. You know what I mean – you know the menu inside out but you go back because you can rely on the food and the ambiance. Le Trumilou is just one of those places. It serves traditional French cuisine including their famous house speciality of canard aux pruneaux, which I have had many times. Everything is good here, particularly the steak and chips (great, great chips!) and the soup which comes out in a big dish and a ladle for you to help yourself.

The food is plentiful, tasty and not overpriced. Neither is the wine menu. The waiters are pleasant and the owner and his family are welcoming. Don’t be put off by the relatively bare corridoor bar through which he takes you to the small but cozy main dining room. There is a second dining room which is used for small groups and families. Irish friends of mine who lived in Paris for a few years regularly brought their wider family there, kids included, for special occassions.  Apparently Le Trumilou has been in business since 1930!

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LOUIS09 – rue des Deux Ponts, Ile Saint Louis, 75004 Paris

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Guest Comments

Stayed in LOUIS09 early July and it was amazing! Fabulous location and apartment was perfect for family of 4. Loved the terrace! We did not use the a/c and with windows open definitely some street noise but you are in the center of Paris!! If would be odd to not have any noise! highly recommen the agency, this apartment and location! Also very easy meeting up with Eric, the keeper of the keys. We hopefully be back sometime soon!!

Posted by: Keli Mazzoni | 07 August 2011 at 16:57

Myself and my 18 yr. old grandaughter stayed in LOUIS09. It was very modern, clean, and well located. Cool July so, the doors were closed at night, so we could not hear the party goers down the street at a bar.But when doors open, a bit noisy late at night. I was very pleased with the agency. Very friendly,well run corporation. I would use them again. The gentleman who met us with the keys, Eric, was friendly and pleasant. All in all very nice stay, only wish it had been warm, weather wise. S.Edwards, Scottsdale Arizona. USA

Posted by: Sylvia Ewards | 02 August 2011 at 03:42

 

We stayed in LOUIS09 and LOUIS08 in the first week of december. That apartment and the location are great. But it was a very cold week and the heating did not work. The person who showed us the apartment saw tbere was a problem and told us to wait a few hours to give time the apartment to heat. But evidently by the time we could confirm it did not work, it was too late. Six kids with no heating, snowing outside! Next day they brang two little heatings, not enough for the apartment. This is our main complain. The apartment otherwise is great, clean and very well located.

Posted by: Mariona | 10 December 2010 at 18:00

My husband and I had a wonderful time in Paris – how could you not! – and this lovely little apartment was ideal for our short visit. While the kitchen was small, it was heaven compared to our previous weeks of hotels and had all the equipment that we needed. The guy who greeted us with the keys was very friendly and took us through all the appliances in the apartment. The free wifi and guidebooks were particularly appreciated. Location was fantastic – would definitely stay here again.

Posted by: Sam | 13 September 2010 at 05:53

My husband and I enjoyed a great week here, having been moved by the company due to technical problems in our original apartment. We have used SCI PA Location several times and have always found them to be helpful and efficient. Friends joined us for the weekend and the four of us managed comfortably if a little cosily in the apartment (it made for a great base to celebrate a special birthday and the balcony was heaven for fresh air in the morning following a few too many cocktails at Kong the night before…you must go!)We usually visit Paris several times a year and so understand that space in this city is at a premium which means the comfortable rooms and bathroom make this apartment an excellent choice. You are very central here and in an excellent arrondisement. Thank you once again. Andy and Clare

Posted by: Clare and Andy Whysall | 20 March 2010 at 15:20

Spent a great week in September LOUIS09 with my husband and 1 year old daughter. The apartment was pleasant, clean and had all of the amenities we needed. The view was lovely, and we loved Ile Ste-Louis. The lcoation was convenient and allowed us to walk to many parts of Paris, which was nice when traveling with a baby. Only complaint was that the sofa in the apartment was not terribly comfortable. Overall, a very good place to stay.

Posted by: Lisa | 07 October 2009 at 23:32

We stayed in this apartment for seven days this July. We had previously stayed in another apartment in the same area, but this was much better. It was clean, quite modern, and had all the facilities we needed for a small apartment. The agency service was efficient, friendly, and punctual. The apartment needed a small amount of maintenance whilst we were there, but this was not undertaken, but did not really cause any inconvenience. We would rent this apartment again, as it suited our purposes. The location and the view are great.

Posted by: William Newton | 18 August 2009 at 10:34

Les Fous de l’Ile – another decent if slightly pricey restaurant on the island

I walked by Les Fous de l’Ile many times since it opened a year or so ago and finally ate there recently. It had always seemed busy but it’s window prices put me off.

I still think it’s a little pricey relative to it’s direct competition in the neighbourhood but it was warm and lively and though the food was typical bistro fare and not outstanding, I would be happy for you to give it a try.

More suitable for couples rather than families, it is convenient if you are staying on the island and don’t want to venture too far for a decent meal and for the sake of a paying a few less euro than you should.

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Berthillion is not the only show in town (I mean Paris of course) when it comes to good ice cream !

Everyone in Paris raves about Berthillion and I must admit that I like their ice cream. Their HQ is just across the street from where I live on Ile St Louis and you shoud see the queues, particularly with this week’s weather. However, my daughter and her friend recently tried out  Gelati d’Alberto and tell me that the cornets there are amazing. The ice cream sits on top of the cone in the shape of a rose so it looks and tastes great!

They are on rue Mouffetard in the 5th (near au P’tit Grec which I have referred to previously as having brilliant savoury crepes)

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Notre Dame Gardens – a break from the tourist trail and maybe even a quick snooze !

When the going gets tough and you need respite from the crowds and din on the concrete plaza or the queue for the towers in front of Notre Dame, slip through the little gate to the right/river side of the cathedral itself and you will find yourself in a beautiful flowered garden with shady trees and benches overlooking the Seine and Ile Saint Louis.

Very few people even know it exists so it is just the place for a break from the hurly-burly of being a tourist in Paris – you could even have a little snooze !!

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Live over the shop – many Parisians do so why don’t you ?

Have you considered renting an apartment for your visit to Paris ? Well if not then do it and better still, stay over the shop. Immerse yourself in the daily life of the Parisians – the hustle and bustle, the smells, the convenience and the camraderie.

I live on the 3rd floor over Monsieur Lefranc’s fromagerie on Ile Saint Louis. Next door is Madame Martin’s Boulangerie. Even if I don’t buy cheese or butter from Bernard everyday (unlike Mme Martin whose baguette ancienne is a daily ritual), he always has a Bonne Journee for me through the open door.

These are photos I took the week before last (on my phone so please excuse the quality) of some of my local shops on Ile Saint Louis. They can be yours too, even if you are only in Paris for a few days or a few weeks !

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