Hotel Bleu de Grenelle

Visit the Ile de la Cité from our hotel in Paris 15

Categories : Discover Paris, published on : 7/6/23

At the heart of the capital, the Ile de la Cité is a must-see when visiting Paris. And while it's best known for Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral, this little island in the middle of the Seine has many other surprises in store. To discover the secrets of the Ile de la Cité, the Hôtel Bleu de Grenelle is ideally located in the 15th arrondissement.

 

The origins of the Île de la Cité

The Ile de la Cité, as its name suggests, is a small natural island in the heart of the Seine, straddling the 1st and 4th arrondissements of Paris. It serves as a kind of junction between the left and right banks of Paris, which can be reached via various bridges, the best known of which are undoubtedly the Pont Neuf and the Pont Saint-Louis.

The Ile de la Cité is considered the ancient cradle of Paris, as the city's earliest archaeological discoveries lead us here to remains dating back to Antiquity. The island is also home to the oldest monument in Paris, Notre-Dame Cathedral.

Good to know: just off the island is a second, smaller islet, named after King Louis IX: Île Saint-Louis.

 

The riches of the Ile de la Cité

From the Hôtel Bleu de Grenelle, you can take the Paris metro to the Ile de la Cité in less than 15 minutes. You'll then have plenty of time to discover the island's sites, from the most essential to the most unusual.

The Martyrs of the Deportation Memorial

At the tip of the island, the Martyrs de la Déportation memorial has stood since 1962 in a pretty square decorated with rose bushes. It was here that architect Georges-Henri Pingusson designed this powerful monument, in memory of the deportees from France who suffered horror during the Second World War. The crypt conceals the tomb of the unknown deportee, and urns containing ashes and soil from the Nazi camps are on display.

Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral

Arriving at the forecourt of the medieval cathedral of Notre-Dame is still a thrill. Over 850 years old, this masterpiece of Gothic architecture dominates the island, with its 69-metre-high towers. The most-visited historic monument in Paris, the cathedral's astonishing size and architecture include chimeras and gargoyles. Unfortunately, the cathedral was partially destroyed by fire in 2019. Since then, renovation work has prevented public access, but it is still possible to visit the exterior.

The archaeological crypt on the Île de la Cité

Beneath the forecourt of Notre-Dame, you'll find the archaeological crypt of the Ile de la Cité. This Paris museum takes you on a journey spanning dozens of centuries, from Antiquity to the 20th century, to discover the history of the island. You'll learn about its various architectural and urban evolutions, through archaeological remains discovered during excavations dating back to the late 1960s.

Queen Elizabeth II Flower Market

The Queen Elizabeth 2 Flower Market is held every Sunday near the cathedral. Since 1808, this specialized market has been bringing color to Paris. Today, 13 independent stores offer hundreds of varieties of flowers, from the best-known to the most exotic, to the delight of passers-by, who revel in the colors and fragrances.

Good to know: for a long time, it was accompanied by the bird market, but since 2023, the sale of birds has been banned.

The Clock Tower and the Conciergerie

Overlooking the Seine, close to the Palais de Justice de Paris, the Tour de l'Horloge was built in the 14th century. It was the first public clock in Paris, and continues to tell passers-by the exact time. The Conciergerie is the former residence of the medieval kings of France (10th to 14th centuries). When the French sovereigns decided to move into the Louvre palace in 1360, the Conciergerie became a court of justice. It was also a prison, and it was here that Queen Marie-Antoinette was held until her execution during the French Revolution.

The Sainte-Chapelle

Behind the Palais de la Cité, the Sainte-Chapelle is a religious monument consisting of a lower and an upper chapel, admired for its stained glass windows. But what really attracts visitors to this 1248 chapel are the treasures it houses, including the Holy Crown of Thorns and a piece of the True Cross.

Place Dauphine

At the very tip of the Ile de la Cité, Place Dauphine is one of the most charming squares in Paris. Sheltered from the hustle and bustle of Parisian life, its 17th-century architecture is a delight. Although it has often been modified, it retains its picturesque setting, with arcaded stores and brick facades. In the shade of the trees, regulars enjoy a game of pétanque, or a drink on the terraces of the bars and restaurants that line the street.

Le Pont Neuf

Contrary to its name, the Pont Neuf is the oldest bridge in Paris. The first stone of this innovative bridge was laid in 1578. In fact, it was the first bridge not to include a dwelling or store, but above all it was the first to be equipped with a water pump, the Samaritaine, which supplied the Louvre palace and the Tuileries gardens.

In terms of architecture, the Pont Neuf is best recognized by its elegant statue of King Henri IV, seated on his horse and looking towards the Place Dauphine.

Le square du Vert-Galant

In the historic heart of Paris, the Square du Vert-Galant is a little haven of peace, offering a breathtaking view of the Louvre Museum, the Institut de France and the Passerelle des Arts. It's also from here that you can admire the mascarons of the Pont Neuf. This ecological green space was originally created as a tribute to King Henri IV and his many mistresses. Today, the flora and fauna of this historic square provide the ideal setting for a leisurely stroll or picnic.

 

L'hôtel Bleu de Grenelle, your room near Paris's finest monuments

The Bleu de Grenelle boutique hotel is the ideal place to recharge your batteries between visits to the narrow streets and grand avenues of Paris. Just a stone's throw from the Eiffel Tower, you'll find yourself in a warm, modern establishment, with 57 rooms to suit all tastes and budgets, for an unforgettable stay.

All the services on offer allow you to spend a relaxing moment, before setting off on a beautiful tour on foot or by public transport near the main attractions and architectural gems of the city of Paris.

 

Like a small island of calm and greenery, the Ile de la Cité is actually the historic heart of Paris. Book your room now at the Hôtel Bleu de Grenelle to discover all the treasures of this little Parisian haven of peace.

More about our boutique hotel in Paris / FAQ

  • Rooms are available from 3pm

  • When is check-out time?

    Rooms must be liberated at 12pm at the latest

  • Is there a parking in the hotel?

    The hotel does not have a private parking, but there parkings are available around the hotel and underneath the metro line situated across from the hotel. 

    The closest and best value-for-money parking is:

    Interparking Cambronne - 26 villa Croix Nivert - 75015 Paris (5 min by foot)

     

  • What are the sizes of the rooms?

    Room sizes vary according to capacity. Single rooms are approximately 13 m2, double rooms 14 to 17 m2 and triple rooms 21 m2. The apartment with its two rooms and small kitchen 32 m2.

  • Does the hotel have connecting rooms?

    The hotel Bleu de Grenelle offers adjacent rooms, using of two private double rooms with a common entrance. They are perfect for family stays!

  • Does the hotel offer babysitting services?

    Our front office team will be delighted to recommend top-quality babysitting services.

  • Is there a restaurant in our Parisian boutique hotel?

    The hotel does not have its own restaurant (besides the breakfast service), but our team will be happy to recommend some of the best addresses in Paris according to your taste and desire.

  • Is the hotel open to people without a room reservation?

    The hotel Bleu de Grenelle is opened to everyone! If you don’t have a reservation, you still are welcome any time during the day to enjoy the co-working area and the bar.

  • Is there an elevator in the hotel?

    There are two elevators in the hotel. However, they are not suitable for wheelchairs.

  • Does the hotel have a free WIFI internet connection?

    The wi-fi is available for free in the rooms and the common areas of the hotel

  • May we ask for a baby cot?

    We will be happy to put a baby bed in your room on a simple advance request.

  • Does the hotel have a temperature control system?

    All our rooms are equipped with heating and air-conditioning depending on the season (heating when outside temperatures are below 17 Celsius degrees and air-conditioning when temperatures are above 17 Celsius degrees)

  • Is the hotel accessible to PRMs (Persons of Reduced Mobility)?

    Our boutique hotel in Paris offers access to PRMs on the first floor and in two rooms especially equipped for their needs.

  • Can an additional bed be installed in a room?

    Besides baby beds, the hotel does not install additional adults beds, but suggests booking one of the triple rooms that will offer optimal comfort to all occupants.

  • How to modify/ cancel a reservation?

    If conditions to modify or cancel are still current, you simply need to address your request by phone + 33 1 45 75 26 54 or by email: info@hotelbleudegrenelle.com

  • Is it possible to obtain a detailed bill with TVA (value-added tax) included?

    A bill with TVA will be printed at check-out and/or sent by email on simple request.

  • Does the hotel allow domestic animals?

    Le Bleu de Grenelle, Parisian boutique hotel, has some rooms adapted for customers with traditional domestic animals (we do not have vivariums or delphinariums).

    An additional 10 euros per night is required to have the room specially cleaned. Thank you for mentioning that you are traveling with your pet at the time of reservation to confirm the availability of these rooms.

  • Is breakfast included in the price of the room?

    According to the selected offer, rooms are sold with or without breakfast. Refer back to the description of your offer. 
    Please note that even if breakfast is not booked at the time of reservation, it can be added at the last minute.

  • What is the city tax "taxe de séjour"?

    The « taxe de séjour » is a French tax that may be asked of vacationers by towns in touristic areas. This tax aims at helping municipal councils finance projects related to touristic frequency and to the protection of natural spaces used by tourists.

    In reality, the « taxe de séjour » is paid by the clients to the hotel, in relation to the number of nights spent and the category of the rented room. The total sum of the collected taxes is then returned to the municipality at the end of a period called, period of perception.   

  • Does the hotel offer ironing services?

    Steamers are available at the reception on simple request.

  • Does the hotel offer laundry services?

    The hotel offers an external laundry service with a classic formula (drop off before noon and pick up the next day) and an express formula (drop off before noon and pick up after 8pm on the day)

  • What is a boutique-hotel?

    A boutique-hotel in its current definition represents a type of hotel, small to medium in size, with an environment (personnel, concept, decoration) of its own and customized. It offers marked differences from the standard great hotel chains.