Berthillon

The basics

Raymond Berthillon opened his ice cream shop with the intention of bringing high-quality ice cream to Paris. Tucked away on Île Saint-Louis—one of two natural islands in the Seine River—the business has continued in its mission to use whole ingredients and has delighted patrons for generations. Best known for its wild strawberry (fraises des bois) sorbet and salted caramel (caramel au beurre sale) ice cream, don’t be surprised to find a steady stream of people lined up out front, waiting for a scoop or two.

Things to know before you go

• The store closes for roughly one month towards the end of summer, so go online for specific dates to best plan your visit.
• You will most likely see other Berthillon signs and awnings around Paris, however, these locations are not affiliated with the original Rue Saint-Louis shop.
• Berthillon is only open for select days of the week, so check opening times in advance.

How to get there

Paris is an easy city to explore on foot or by public transportation. Depending on your location you can cross one of five bridges, including Pont Saint-Louis and Pont de la Tournelle, to access the island; or arrive by Metro from the Point-Marie, Saint-Paul, or Cardinal Lemoine stations.

When to get there

For the shortest line, arrive at the glacier shortly after its opening time. If you don’t feel like ice cream for breakfast, just be sure to avoid the shop’s peak hours from 3pm to 7pm. The store is open regularly from morning until evening, but it’s advisable to check the opening schedule before visiting, as it’s closed on select days of the week.

Berthillon Specialities

Other than its classic ice cream and sorbet flavors, Berthillon also offers year-round specialties from its tea room. These icy confections such as the Glace Tatin—vanilla and caramel ice creams with a layer of caramelized apples in the middle—are meant to serve six to 10 people at a time and must be booked in advance. And since the shop doubles as a tea room, you can grab your morning pastry and espresso before exploring the rest of the city.

Ways to explore

Whether you’re taking a walking tour of Le Marais on the Right Bank or the Latin Quarter (Quartier Latin) on the Left Bank (Rive Gauche), it’s worth strolling across the bridge to Île Saint-Louis to grab an ice cream from Berthillon. A favorite for Parisians and travelers alike, the ice cream shop is a popular inclusion on food-tasting tours of Paris, but bike tours and Paris neighborhoods tours also often make a stop at Berthillon. It’s the perfect addition to any summer sightseeing tour.

Accessibility

The shop and restaurant are accessible for wheelchair users.

Age limits

None; kids are likely to be thrilled with the wide array of flavors on offer.

What to pack

Camera (the ice creams look as good as they taste), reusable water bottle, wet wipes (if you’ve got young kids in tow!)

What to wear

Flat, comfortable shoes for walking around Paris, and layered clothing, as weather conditions in the city are constantly changing.

Not allowed

It’s not a rule per se, but you really shouldn’t limit yourself to just one flavor!

Amenities

On-site café, restrooms, public water fountain (just across the Pont Marie)

Address

Berthillon is located on Île Saint-Louis—one of the two natural islands in the Seine River—and can be reached on foot from Île de la Cité, the Marais, and the Latin Quarter.

Driving

Driving in the 4th Arrondissement, which falls within Paris’ Limited Traffic Zone, is prohibited for visitors, and fines apply. It’s still possible to take a licensed taxi to the district, but the use of public transport is highly encouraged.

Public transportation

There are no subway links directly to the island, but the closest metro station, Pont Marie (7), is just a short 4-minute walk away on the Right bank of the Seine. You can also alight at Maubert–Mutualité (10) on the Left Bank, from where it’s a 10-minute walk.

Best times to visit

Expect long lines in the afternoon and evening, especially when the sun is shining. It’s usually busiest from 3pm through 7pm, so come straight after lunch or treat yourself to a morning ice cream to avoid queues.

Best days to visit

The shop is open from Wednesday through Sunday, but it’s always busiest on sunny weekends. Time your visit wisely if you don’t want to wait too long in line.

Best months to visit

Despite it being peak season for ice cream lovers, Berthillon is closed for most of August as the owners take their summer vacation. While June, July, and September are the obvious months for a sweet treat, it stays open—and has much shorter queues—through the winter months.

Special events

While it doesn’t host any special events, it’s worth sampling the limited edition seasonal flavors like wild strawberry, mango, and blackcurrant sorbets in summer, and chestnut, fig, and speculoos (Biscoff) ice creams in winter.