ILE DE FRANCE REGIONAL GUIDE

Ile de France is France’s smallest region encircling the country’s capital, Paris, which boasts many world-famous attractions.

 

Ile de France is also home to one of the most visited monuments in France - the royal Palace of Versailles - where spectacular architecture and countless treasures are testament to the lavish lifestyles once enjoyed by French royalty.

 

Another big attraction is the magnificent chateau and vast forest at Fontainebleau.

 

Many families, or course, will be heading for the fun and entertainment of Disneyland just outside of Paris.

 

Palace of Versailles

The Palace of Louis XIV, the Sun King, this is one of the most popular tourist attractions in France. Originally Louis XIII’s hunting lodge, construction began in 1664 and continued until Louis XIV’s death in 1715. Work stopped until Louis XV’s arrival in 1722 and the royal family remained there until the French Revolution in 1789 when an angry mob entered the palace to demand bread.

 

Restoration began between the First and Second World Wars and, in 1962, there was a decree ordering all items belonging to the palace to be returned. In 1979, the importance of the palace was recognized when UNESCO declared it a World Heritage Site.

 

Despite the enormity of the palace, only a relatively small part can be visited - the State Apartments and Hall of Mirrors. Choose whether to self-guide or in the company of a guide.

 

Allow plenty of time to visit the formal gardens, admire the many fountains and explore the park – on foot, by bike or using the shuttle train. There are also boats for hire on the Grand Canal.

 

To complete your visit, stroll into elegant Versailles town.

 

Barbizon

Enjoy the beautiful landscape on the edge of the Fontainebleau forest and plain of Angelus which seduced nineteenth century landscape artists who flocked to the pretty village of Barbizon to paint. These pre-impressionist painters became known as the Barbizan School. They worked outdoors using scenes from peasant life influenced by the realism begun by Courbet and and the English John Constable. Jean Francois Millet’s house and studio is now a museum (open daily except Tuesdays) as is the home of Theodore Rousseau. The ‘Ganne-Musee Inn of the Barbizon School’ was originally an inn where the owner accepted decorations by the Barbizon painters - including decorating his furniture - instead of payment. Also open daily except Tuesdays. Today Barbizon is a favourite with holidaying Parisians.

 

Fontainebleau Chateau

Another UNESCO World Heritage Site, this Italianate palace is set within the 25,000 hectare Fontainebleau Forest. It began life as a medieval royal hunting lodge. Later, Francois I (1494 to 1547) was so inspired by its setting that he transformed it into a Renaissance masterpiece. This is particularly evident in the Francois I Gallery noted for its wonderful frescos and panelling, as well as the ballroom and St Saturini Chapel.

 

Francois I’s son, Henri II and Catherine de Medici continued the work and additions, enhancements and re-decoration continued right up to the reign of Louis XVI who enlarged the royal apartments and doubled the size of the Francois I Gallery.

 

After the Revolution, Napoleon refurnished the palace in readiness to receive the Pope. Fontainebleau became one of his favourite homes and you can visit his bedroom, study, bathroom and drawing room where he signed his abdication in 1814.

 

Outside, visitors can see the courtyards and gardens, there are horse-drawn carriage rides, boating on the carp pond and you can have a go at real tennis.

 

Basilica of St-Denis

The magnificent Basilica of St-Denis the patron saint of France, in a northern suburb of Paris, is where almost all of the French kings are buried. (French coronations were held in the Cathedral of Reims).Their tombs and effigies are a history lesson in themselves - look for the huge Renaissance memorial to Francis I and for Clovis, king of the Franks in 500 AD, and the founder of France with its capital Paris.

 

Originally, a mausoleum was created here for the saint, believed to be the first bishop of Paris, and an abbey founded in the seventh century. The cathedral was begun in the twelfth century and is one of the first examples of Gothic style architecture in Europe. It displays many style developments such as the choir and includes the first rose window.

 

Open to the public daily, Monday to Saturday and Sunday afternoons from May to September with shorter opening hours in the winter. The suburb of St-Denis has a market 3 times a week and its ‘Stad de France’ is a popular venue for concerts and matches.

 

Abbaye de Royaumont

Beautifully restored Cistercian abbey with large cloister founded in 1228 by Louis IX, later Saint Louis. Located 35km north of Paris in Asnieres-sur-Oise.

 

The abbey and grounds (criss-crossed with canals) are in the care of the Royaumont Foundation, renowned for its work in the arts:

Vocal, contemporary, improvised and medieval music

Contemporary dance

Multidisciplinary arts across word, image, gesture and sound

 

The abbey is open to visitors every day with guided tours on Saturdays and Sunday. The Foundation shares its work with the public through regular concerts, exhibitions, lectures and in particular its summer music festival. Plus its Poetry and Translation Centre with 18,000 volumes can be visited by appointment. There is also a large bookshop on site.

 

Science Museum

Hands-on science for children 3-12 years at ’la Cite des Sciences et de l’Industrie’, Porte de la Vaillette northeast of Paris, one of the world’s largest and most popular science museums. The park and gardens surrounded by the Ourcq Canal are a great day out for leisure and culture. Travel through the human body in ‘Explora’ and try a simulator used to train pilots. The ‘Geode’ is one of the world’s geodesic domes - see it reflecting the clouds. The site also has childrens’ playgrounds, exhibition hall and shows.

 

Forest of Fontainebleau

One of the largest forests in France – 25,000 hectaures, Fontainebleau Forest is a popular getaway for Parisians, being located just 50km from the capital and easily accessible off the A6.

 

Walkers can enjoy the many waymarked hiking trailers and the deep gorges are popular with climbers – there are circuits graded easy to difficult. Good biking and horse riding too.

 

The Forest’s diverse terrain supports 6,600 species of wildlife (including 5,600 insects), 5,700 plant species and 2,700 funghi. Bird-watchers may be lucky enough to see firecrests, woodlarks, Dartford warblers, nightjars, short-toed treecreepers, cirl buntings and any of 6 types of woodpeckers including black, middle spotted and grey headed.

 

Much loved by landscape painters, Monet painted his ‘Bodmer Oak’ here in 1865.

 

Much of Ile de France cuisine is the cuisine of Paris. Baking and patisserie of all types are popular. The long baguette, croissants and pain au chocolate which are now part of the national diet, were all developed from specialities of the region. Home of brie de Meaux, one of France’s oldest cheeses, delicious Fountainebleau cheese and coulommiers. Specialities to try are lamb of Ile de France, pate and chicken of Houdan and various blood and garlic sausages of Paris. Look for desserts decorated with crystallized rose petals from Provins and sample the fruity ‘noyau de Poissy’ liqueur made from apricots and almonds crushed in cognac.

 

Walking, Riding and Cycling, Regional Nature Park of Gatinais

Bordering the forest of Fontainebleau and covering parts of the departments of Seine-et-Marne and Essonne, Gatinais Regional Park spreads over 63,700 hectares. The fragile landscape with a strong Gatinais-Francais identity, ranges from boulder-strewn fields with sandy soil and sandstone plateaux, to forest clearings and marshy patches. Green tourism is actively promoted. There are marked routes for ramblers and mountain bike trails. The park also provides cultural events, guided tours on horseback, on foot and by bike. There are audio guides for those making their own way. 

 

Would-be botanists will enjoy discovering the park’s rich flora. Visit park headquarters in the little town of Millet-la-Foret in the heart of the park, home to the National Conservatory for Medicinal Plants and considered to be leaders in this field in France. Buy honey - as served to Louis XIV - in the local market. 

 

Disneyland

This 138 acre theme park is one of France’s top tourist attractions and can obviously get very busy. To get the most from your visit, it’s worth going onto the Disneyland website and researching the areas and rides.

 

The park is divided into 5 areas – Main Street USA, Frontierland, Adventureland, Fantasyland and Discoveryland, each with lots to see and rides to try. There are plenty of places to eat and not to be missed are the afternoon Main Street parade and evening fireworks.

 

One, 2 or 3 day passes can be purchased either beforehand or on arrival. The earlier you can arrive the better and it’s better to go on the most popular attractions first as queues tend to build up as the morning progresses. The Fastpass system helps to cut-down waiting time and rides are quieter during parades and from 9pm when people start to head to the fireworks.

 

Versailles, Fountain Shows, April to September, Every Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holidays, 11 – 12 and 1530 - 1730

Fountain shows to the accompaniment of classical and baroque music. There is also an evening version with fireworks and son et lumiere.

 

Disneyland, Halloween Festival, October to November

Younger children can dress up in Halloween costumes and there is a Halloween show infront of Sleeping Beauty’s Castle. Plus, you just don’t know which Disney characters you may come across!

 

On 31 October, there is a huge fireworks display and spooky surprises. Must be pre-booked.

 

Paris Ile de France Regional Tourist Board

11, rue du Faubourg Poissonnière

75009 Paris

 

Tel: (00 33) 173 00 77 00

Email: partenariat@pidf.com

 

Please check precise details and dates with event organisers before making your holiday and travel arrangements.

 

Copyright: Holiday France Direct 2008