Ile de la Cité

Ile de la Cité

The IledelaCité is a natural island located on the Seine River in Paris between the Rive Gauche (Left Bank) and Rive Droite (Right Bank).The historic and geographical center of intramural Paris, The IledelaCité was the site of the original settlement of the city by the ancient Celtic tribe known as the Parisii in the 3th century BC.

The Ile de la Cité is the spiritual and historical centre and oldest district of Paris. Long before the Roman conquest, the Gallic Tribe Parisii built their oppidum – Lutetia – on the small island. The island was located on a shallow section of the river Seine and at the junction of ancient roads leading to the north and south of the country. An important port, Lutetia was connected to the right and left banks by two wooden bridges. The Parisii built up their wealth from fishing and fishing, but mostly from river trade. They indeed had the monopoly for the transportation of goods on the Seine. The thriving boatmen became influential merchants. They organized themselves under the protection of the Guild of the Boatmen of Paris or Nautes Parisiens. The powerful corporation plays a prominent role in the city’s politics, administration and economics through the centuries. They became responsible for the administration of the capital in 1260 and gave their ships a coat of arms.