ILE DE FRANCE is one of the ancient provinces of France, and the one that has been the centre of power during most of French history thanks to its attracting city: Paris.

The ‘City of Light’ is the most visited city in the world, and the banks of its River, the Seine, are listed by the UNESCO. Its major landmark, the fascinating Eiffel Tower is Paris’ showcase to the whole world.

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Tourists may be surprised at some of the modern day projects such as the Grande Arche and Europe’s number 1 CBD “ La Défense”.

Our ‘French Moments’ pages on Ile de France:

Gourmet Paris - useful addresses for your next trip to Paris!

Gâteau au chocolat - a moist, rich flourless chocolate cake.

Brie de Meaux - the King of Cheeses.

Maisons-Laffitte - the beautiful town and its chateau in the North-Western suburbs of Paris.

Paris, la Promenade plantée - a surprising walk to do for those visiting Paris.

Bastille Day - learn how Bastille Day (la Fête Nationale) is celebrated in France!

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Christmas in Paris - Notre-Dame, the Champs-Elysées and the Grands Magasins.

Chateau of Chantilly - a fairytale castle surrounded by a vast estate, North of Paris.

PARIS - ILE DE FRANCE

The story behind the name ‘Sydney’ - the etymological links between Sydney, Australia, Normandy and Paris, France.

Notre-Dame de Paris - France’s most famous cathedral [en français].

Paris Homepage - the French capital!

The Eiffel Tower in Paris - Q&A about the ‘Tour Eiffel’.

The Ile de France today still aims to preserve the rich heritage that has been built throughout the centuries: the fortified farms, the royal forests, the magnificent gothic cathedrals (Notre-Dame de Paris), the medieval castles and the extravagant palaces of the Kings of France (such as those of the Louvre, Chantilly or Maisons-Laffitte).