Bertillon, Paris

If you visit Ile Saint-Louis and wonder what that big line-up is all about, well it's about Glacier Berthillon! Berthillon is famous all over the world for its delicious sorbets and ice creams that come in flavours as tempting as ginger caramel, Grand-Marnier, tiramisu, litchees and wild strawberry. Of course they're not exactly cheap, but sometimes you just deserve a good sorbet! And if you feel like you deserve even more, you can stop by the Berthillon tea house located at 29 rue Saint-Louis-en-l'Ile. A great Paris experience!

Favorite Dish: I had the "orange sanguine" sorbet and I would definitely recommend it!

Welcome to Berthillon which arguably serves THE BEST ice cream in all of Paris! It's famous original Parisian ice cream shop is located on the Ile St-Louis on the central street, the rue St-Louis-en-l'Ile, that runs through this small island.

Each trip to Paris warrants a visit here & I insist on coming only to the original shop. I always get the cone of 3 scoops in order to try out the different flavors & so far I've tried 6 (listed below) and ALL were excellent. My favorites, though, would have to be the poire (pear) due to its grainy pear texture tasting just like a frozen pear - wonderful - and the framboise which is very rich in flavor!

Be forewarned, even early in the morning there will a line of people down the block waiting to sample Berthillon's wares. But if you find the shop closed (as I did this past February) no worries as many restaurants in Paris carry it, including Le Flore en l'Ile at the western end of the Ile St-Louis which advertises it carries Berthillon ice cream on its awning.

This shop is closed for a few months in the summertime, but not to worry as there are plenty of places in Paris that serve this tres fantastique confection!

A cup of 3 sorbet scoops is a mere 3.65 euros.

Photo: Feb 2006

Favorite Dish: Recommended flavors:
peche (peach)
abricot (apricot)
melon
framboise (raspberry)
cassis (blackcurrant)
poire (pear)

I’ve never, ever liked ice cream, but I would walk across hot coals to get half a spoonful of this stuff. It’s sold in a couple of other places around the city, but they always seem to be out of it, or they don’t have the right flavors or something. I think Berthillon does that just to keep everyone coming here. With flavors like café au whiskey (wonder how old you have to be to order that one), this place is in a class by itself. The café is fairly moderately priced, so it’s a nice choice for lunch. It’s on the Ile St-Louis, so you can take your ice cream and stroll past that fantastic accordion player who plays on the pont St-Louis, but stay away from that monkey he schleps everywhere—the monkey is a hostile lunatic. I guess I would be, too if I had to listen to “Autumn Leaves” as many times a day as he does.

Favorite Dish: Absolutely any flavor ice cream.

This is some of the best ice cream you'll eat in your life. I promise. From what I understand, "Berthillon is to ice cream what Chateau Lafite Rothschild is to wine and Valhrona is to chocolate." It's rather like a rite of passage for all visitors to Paris - Notre Dame and Berthillon.

Although the fruit favors were fantastic - everything from blood orange to lemon, the chocolates and hazelnut nougat options were probably the best in my book. Just name a taste and they probably have it. At the counter there seemed to be about twenty varieties for sale, and even as one ran out it was quickly replaced by a new flavor.

The takeaway counter seemed to be the best bet for our group. Even in the rain people stood in line for the sweet treats. Prices are by scoops: 1 for 2 Euro, 2 for 3.50, 4 for 4.50, and 5 for 5.50...and worth every penny.

Favorite Dish: Let's see...go for the ice cream, silly!!!

I'm talking about price & saving a few euros! Went to Paris in March of 2007 & we were told by our tour guide that the ONLY place to get authentic Berthillon ice cream, in the entire world, was on the Ile St. Louis, behind Notre Dame Cathedral. Of course, hearing a statement like that you'd immediately think "how melodramatic!" or "c'mon now!!" but it may just be true. Our guide, Mario, was quite sincere about such matters, so it was hard for us not to follow his advice. So, we went to the Ile St Louis to one of the 1st restaurants we found, La Lutetia, where we paid about 8E for 2 very small scoops (no more than 1/4 cup each) of Berthillon's famous.

Fast-forward to March '08 & we're back in France again, determined to return to the Ile St Louis & GET MORE BERTHILLON, MAN! This time we went to the Berthillon store & found that the portions were larger & the prices were cheaper! 4.20E gets you THREE scoops, compared to what we paid at the restaurant a yr before. Get there early in the day, by the end of the day they've sold out of many flavors. And the people that serve you are VERY nice folks!

Favorite Dish: I don't remember too well what flavors I had besides pistachio but I do remember that they were all incredible! If we'd had the time, I would've happily paid another 4.20E for another cup of 3 diff scoops!

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Bertillon was on my must-do list on my March 2008 trip. I wouldn't go as far as saying that it was worth the trip across the Atlantic but it is by far one of the creamiest, heavenly things I have ever tasted. Tucked away in one of the more charming areas in the city this institution lived up to every expectation with it's masterfully created treats, friendly staff, and outstanding service. It was 10am, raining and cold but ironically, this treat in a cone warmed me up and prepared me for the rest of my morning in Paris.

Though they provide creative flavors like blood orange I chose a classic flavor for a classic place: vanilla. Never again will I have my favorite ice cream flavor without comparing it to the one produced by this remarkable place.

Ice cream shop is an understatement. It's in a class of its own.

I agree with the other poster, The ice cream here is nice but nothing to scream about. If you want great and I mean great ice cream then head to Rome. Nowhere on earth does ice cream better than the Italians.

Maybe this ice cream shop is a tourist trap because it is a bit expensive, BUT everything is so delicious!

Located on the Ile St. Louis, there is ALWAYS line at its doors but that doesn't keep locals or tourists away. Also, now that its getting warmer and the lines are getting longer, they do serve from both the window and the front door. I've been twice and never seen a customer actually go inside, so I'm not sure if there is any inside sitting or even a counter inside.

Favorite Dish: Any flavor seems to be good, but my husband did not seem to be a fan of the ginger caramel. They make over 70 flavors, but that does not mean that all are available at one time.