Quai d'Anjou

4th arrondissement of Paris

Price: Free (public street only)

Opening hours (indicative): Freely accessible 24/7

Quai d'Anjou is a riverside street on Île Saint-Louis in central Paris, in the 4th arrondissement. Walk beside the Seine and look at the island's historic mansion façades, stone doorways and ironwork. This is an outdoor neighbourhood stop, not a museum: the buildings along the street have their own, separate access conditions.

At number 17, Hôtel de Lauzun is a 17th-century mansion whose richly decorated interiors are not visible from the pavement. Charles Baudelaire rented an apartment here from October 1843 to September 1845, when it was known as Hôtel Pimodan. The mansion also hosted gatherings of the Club des Haschichins; that literary association should not be confused with a permanent public exhibition. From the street, concentrate on the façade and entrance rather than expecting access to its painted ceilings and gilded rooms.

Walking along the public street is free and requires no ticket. Hôtel de Lauzun, now home to the Paris Institute for Advanced Study, is not generally open for visits; occasional special events have separate arrangements, so check the institute before planning an interior visit. Continue on foot towards Pont Marie or Rue Saint-Louis-en-l'Île to explore more of the island. Respect residents' entrances and keep clear of traffic when taking photographs.

Nearby and similar places

• Île Saint-Louis
• Église Saint-Louis-en-l'Île
• Hôtel de Lauzun
• Rue Saint-Louis-en-l'Île
• Pont Marie
• Pont Saint-Louis
• Hôtel Lambert
• Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris
• Tour Saint-Jacques
• Centre Pompidou