When it comes to ice cream in Paris, one name almost always comes up first: Berthillon. Over the decades, this institution on Île Saint-Louis has become an essential destination for sorbet and ice cream lovers. Yet the capital’s oldest ice cream shop still in operation isn’t located on the banks of the Seine. You have to cross Paris all the way to the 12th arrondissement to discover Raimo, a shop that has been delighting food lovers since 1947.
An artisanal ice cream shop established in Paris for nearly 80 years
Long before the arrival of the artisanal ice cream shops that are now popping up in every neighborhood, Raimo was already serving its first ice cream sundaes to postwar Parisians. Founded by Antoine Raimondo, the shop quickly built a reputation thanks to its artisanal expertise and high standards, which have allowed it to endure through the generations without ever disappearing.
In a city where historic shops are becoming increasingly rare, few establishments can claim to have held such a place in the Parisian landscape for nearly eight decades. Several generations of customers have come and gone, some now bringing their children or grandchildren after discovering the shop in their youth.
Over the years, the shop has developed an impressive collection of flavors. While the great classics are obviously still on the menu, Raimo has also made a name for itself through its ability to explore new flavors and regularly expand its catalog. The result: more than 150 flavors have been created since the shop opened.
But to limit Raimo to just its ice cream cones would be an oversimplification. Over the years, the shop has also specialized in several frozen desserts . Vacherins, ice cream bombs, and Norwegian omelets are among the creations that have contributed to the shop’s reputation.
Like many historic businesses, Raimo has undergone several transformations over the course of its history. The company changed hands in the late 2000s, but the goal has remained the same: to preserve the identity of this Parisian institution while continuing to evolve its creations.
Even today, the capital’s oldest ice cream shop remains bustling and continues to offer its customers a wide variety of flavors. So here’s a great idea for an outing to cool off, as temperatures in the capital begin to rise significantly.
📍Raimo – 59-63, Boulevard de Reuilly – 75012
