When I was in high school, my history teacher told us where to find the best ice cream in the world. She said that if we were ever in Paris, we should go to Notre Dame on the Île de la Cité in the River Seine and walk around behind the cathedral. Then, we should cross the bridge Pont Saint-Louis onto the next island, the Île Saint-Louis. There, we'd find the best ice cream in Paris.
Fortunately, it wasn't hard to find. The above photo is an actual photo of my actual ice cream. And it was delicious. Because I haven't tried every ice cream in the world, I can't say for certain that it's the best in the world, but it was absolutely delicious, so definitely worth a try!
The Origins of Berthillon
Berthillon is a company that both makes and sells ice cream in France. Named after its founder, Raymond Berthillon, the company began as a restaurant called Le Bourgogne in 1954. Berthillon ran a cafe with his wife and mother-in-law before discovering his true vocation: ice cream. The company was later renamed Berthillon and gained fame in 1961 when Henri Gault and Christian Millau of the Gault Millau restaurant guide wrote about the ice cream, describing it as "this astonishing ice-cream parlour hiding in a bistro on Île Saint-Louis."
Where To Buy Berthillon Ice Cream
Berthillon, which is still run by Raymond Berthillon's descendants, has its primary store in its original location on Île Saint-Louis. However, that's not the only place you can buy Berthillon ice cream. A lot of restaurants around Paris sell ice cream from Berthillon. Because of Berthillon's reputation and fame, anyone selling Berthillon ice cream will make sure to advertise it, so you'll know where it came from.
Jon and I actually went to the Berthillon store on Île Saint-Louis, following my history teacher's directions to get there. There was a bit of a line, but it moved quickly. We each got two flavours in a cup and stood on the pavement outside the shop to eat it.
The Flavors of Berthillon
The flavours available for sale at the shop vary depending on the season. You can order either ice cream or sorbet - both are delicious! The Berthillon website has a list of flavours, but there's also an electronic menu board when you walk into the shop with a list of what's available that day.
We made sure to get four different flavours between us so we could share. Except for the pistachio that Jon got - I'm not a fan of that one. But we shared the other three.
Visit the Île Saint-Louis Berthillon Location
Although we could have bought Berthillon ice cream at several of the restaurants we went to while we were in Paris, I'm glad we actually took the time to go to the main shop on Île Saint-Louis. We didn't just enjoy delicious ice cream, we also saw the original shop and got to experience the character of a Parisian cultural institution.
How To Get to Berthillon
There are numerous public transportation options that will take you near Berthillon. Because it's on an island, you'll still need to walk across the bridge to get to it, but the Île Saint-Louis is not a large island, so it's easily walkable. To get there, you can take the following:
Bus: 38, 63, 67, 72, or 86
Train: Line L or N
RER: Line B
Metro: Line 1, 4, 5, 7, or 10
Conclusion
Berthillon is more than just an ice cream shop; it’s a symbol of Parisian culinary artistry. Its commitment to quality, tradition, and innovation has cemented its status as a must-visit destination in Paris. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a seasoned traveler, indulging in a scoop of Berthillon ice cream is an essential part of the Parisian experience.
Σχόλια