Île de la Cité

You are approaching the Île de la Cité, the natural island in the Seine that serves as the literal and historic cradle of Paris. Long before it was a center for grand cathedrals and royal palaces, the island was a small, marshy outpost occupied by a Celtic tribe known as the Parisii. These early inhabitants were skilled river traders who recognized the island as a perfect defensive stronghold and a vital crossing point for their commerce. Their legacy remains deeply woven into the identity of the city, most notably through the official municipal motto, Fluctuat nec mergitur, which translates to she is tossed by the waves but does not sink.