There's nothing like a quaint Parisian cafe serving up authentic sandwiches made from a perfect baguette. Every time I'm in Paris, I'm seeking out the next best sandwich.
Previously, my search led me to the bar at Le Petit Vendôme, still one of my favorite places for a delicious traditional sandwich made from top quality charcuterie, terrines, and pickles. It also led me to discover Chez Alain Miam Miam inside the old traditional Parisian market Marche des Enfants Rouge, another fantastic choice. (and the bustling market itself is so worth a visit.)
This time around, we discovered Le Mache-Dru Paris, another lovely shop tucked away on Île Saint-Louis—the charming little island in the Seine River that bridges La Rive Gauche and La Rive Droite (the Left and Right Banks).
It's right next to the famous Notre Dame
We ate here because we had purchased tickets for a 2PM entry to Notre Dame, so the location was perfect.
We hadn't been here since the awful fire in 2019. It took several years to rebuild, but finally opened back up to the public in December 2024.
It's still awe-inspiring.
Definitely book a slot beforehand. The line to get in without a pre-booking was INSANE. We were so glad we had pre-booked a timeslot (it's free!).
Back to the Sandwich
Because we arrived pretty early by French standards (right at 12PM), there wasn't anyone else at the restaurant, and we got a seat pretty easily.
We very much enjoyed our sandwiches - everything from the freshly baked crusty bread to the nice ratio of jambon, cheese, and cornichon (pickles) inside. It was perfect for what we wanted.
They offer beautiful looking charcuterie + cheese boards that you can enjoy with wine. Perhaps if we come back, we can try that!
It's also fun to explore this tiny little island (île Saint-Louis) within the river Seine within the center of Paris. I loved people watching while munching on our tasty sandwiches together with a carafe of wine.
All in all, a great lunch spot!
Le Mache-Dru Paris
60 Rue Saint-Louis en l'Île
75004 Paris, France
