Île Saint-Louis

Île Saint-Louis may be the most exclusive address in Paris. Like Coronado or Balboa island in Southern California, the residents who live there either inherited the property or are paying much more for the privilege of living on an island adjacent to a cosmopolitan city.

Like any island, it is connected with bridges to the city that flanks both sides.

Being on an island means there are fewer choices for everything, including the meat and poultry available close to home, but the one shop has won awards for both their sources and their products.

The chickens are from Bresse, which means they are the most famous in France (and also the most expensive at about 26 € a kilo or about $20 USD per pound).

I ate a very mediocre meal at one of the creperies in town called Au Lys D'Argent. The only reason I chose this place was because it was one of the only ones without an English menu and where I actually heard French people talking in the restaurant. It was probably one of the better choices, but after my meal, I would have gladly eaten somewhere off the island in the nearby Marais.

The menu at 10,90€ (about $15 USD) included a warm goat cheese salad on lukewarm bread swimming in sauce.

A galette complet with egg, ham and cheese in an overdone crepe,

and a sweet sugar crepe that was so dry I only tasted the middle before giving up on it completely.

Thankfully the island is home to Berthillon, the most fabulous ice cream maker in France. And even though the original location was packed, every stand or cafe sells their ice cream to go.

For 2,50€ (about $3.50 USD) a scoop of their chocolate melted my memory of bad food instantly.

For those who love cookies, the island has one of the branches of La Cure Gourmand where you can chose an assortment of cookies and have them boxed in tins or bags to go.

They also sell caramels and chocolates, but I would prefer going to a chocolatier.

I took my ice cream cone and went down to the quai.

A view like this is dessert for the eyes:)