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Urban Paradise

Submitted by Sartorialista on Sun, 10/04/2009 - 08:32

Ile-Saint-LouisIle-Saint-Louis

I’ve lived in New York, or near to New York, for the larger part of my life. Admittedly, I have a significant aversion to small towns, suburbia, and nature. However, in the last year I’ve been yearning to be part of a smaller community and to escape the sometimes-overwhelming urban sprawl. I’ve always loved the fast pace of cities and their inherent vibrancy, but I find my self in search of something different.

Earlier in the week, I left my apartment and took a walk in a direction I don’t normally walk in. I crossed over a bridge and stumbled upon the beautiful, quiet, and tranquil Ile-Saint-Louis. The little sister to Ile-de-la-Cité, Ile-Saint-Louis is a little piece of paradise in the middle of the Seine. It was amazing to me to stumble upon this beautiful and different locale, as things like this simply don’t exist in New York. In any case, this tiny island helped me find my center.

As I walked along the main road that runs through the island, I passed tiny flower shops, privately owned clothing stores, and restaurants that smelled like home. It was what I had always imagined Paris to be like. I am very lucky to live in the Marais, which has a certain charm, but as it’s becoming overwhelmingly commercial, it is hard to find those little pockets of “Vrai Paris.”

For the first time since arriving, I feel like I’ve found something really special and authentic. It’s a place that is truly untouched by the forces of commercialism. It doesn’t quite feel like home, but its comfortable, vibrant, and a wonderful escape from the more urban side of Paris. With views of Notre Dame and the Latin Quarter, it reminds you of where you are and just how lucky you are to be there. 

 

Location

Paris

I know what you mean when you

Submitted by bird x on Sun, 10/04/2009 - 16:14.

I know what you mean when you say that you get overwhelmed by cities at times. I am from the vastly wide-open mountains of Montana and get extremely overwhelmed at times in New York City. I hate that I can always be heard by someone. At home, I can scream at the top of my lungs and not be heard by a single person. As much as I love getting to explore cities, I love the quaint feelings of small towns and the personality that they have. I love the "homey" feeling I get from a small community and quiet surroundings. Whenever I get overwhelmed in cities, I go on walks to places I have never been and try to venture to the outskirts where not so many people are. I always end up finding cute cafes and streets that give me the same homey feeling as my small hometown. I love all the discoveries that I make. Its as if i find quaint little towns within cities. I am sure over your time abroad, you will make many more connections like the one you did with ile st louis. cheers.

Ile St. Louis

Submitted by Hilla on Sun, 10/04/2009 - 11:53.

I love Ile-St-Louis! I have been there twice, once for dinner and once to the famed Berthillon ice cream shop!

It really does have such a quaint/ old-world feel. I keep thinking that it is so hard to figure out what neighborhood you are in here, because a lot of them just blend together. It's hard to tell where one begins and one ends but Ile-St.-Louis has such definite borders that truly has the feeling of a neighborhood!