Île+de+Cité

Located on the Seine River, the Île de Cité is a small island located in Paris in between the third and sixth arrondissement. It is widely known as a spiritual and historic place that also happens to be one of the oldest districts in Paris. Although it is an island, it is linked to the city by five different bridges. They were originally made from wood, but over times they have been rebuilt with stone. One has the name Pont Neuf (meaning New Bridge) and it has been standing since 1607 making it the oldest bridge in the city of Paris. There is a statue of Henry IV near the bridge since he was the one who requested it to be constructed. The island was first settled by Parisian tribes but later was overrun by the Romans in 52 AD. Starting from the sixth century all the way to the fourteenth, French kings would reside on the Île de la Cité in a palace located on the western portion of the island. Because the king lived on the island, it served as a political center during the Middle Ages. In 1163, it was given order that a cathedral be built on the eastern portion of the island. This building will be later known as the famous Notre Dame Cathedral. On the Île de la Cité, there are many historic buildings and cathedrals, but also newer shops making it a wonderful tourist destination. The main reason this island is visited is for the Notre Dame cathedral which is open for public viewing. Other buildings include the Palais de Justice, built in the eighteenth century, which served as a home to what we would call the Supreme Court. The Palais features an old, small prison where Marie Antoinette was held before she was executed. Near the Palais de Justice stands a small church that took only five years to make. The reason this church draws attention to itself happens to be the stained glass windows that tell the story of Christianity including the crucifixion of Jesus. In addition to these magnificent buildings the island is filled with many small shops that offer anything from souvenirs to food.
 * Île de la Cité **