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15 Best Things to Do in Île-de-France

If you’re visiting Paris it pays to venture beyond the Boulevard Périphérique and see what you can find around the wider Île-de-France region.

Many of the attractions like the Palace of Versailles and Disneyland Paris will be known to all, but some exciting discoveries may not.

If you can’t get enough of châteaux and formal gardens you could spend days jumping from one stately home to another, while the homes of all sorts of famous French personalities also open their doors to the public.

You may also want to get clear of the hubbub of the Parisian streets for restorative days walking in the countryside, and the good news is you’ll never have to travel far.

Lets have a look at the best things to do in Île-de-France :

1. Palace of Versailles

You’ll have read about it and seen it in movies, but these can’t prepare for the size and splendour of the palace in real life.

The gardens alone took 40 years to complete.

There’s such an array of things to see that it may make your head spin, but whatever you do make sure you get to palace as early as possible to avoid the worst of the queues as it does get very busy.

Among the many musts is the Hall of Mirrors, scene of momentous events like the signing of the Treaty of Versailles and a bold symbol of the economic power wielded by Louis XIV in the 17th-century.

One of the world’s great cities hardly requires an introduction.

Paris shines for its culture, history, shopping, nightlife and landmarks that are etched in everyone’s minds.

A whistle-stop tour means packing in as many of those unmistakeable sights as possible, and has to include the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, the Arc de Triomphe, a walk up through Montmartre to the Sacré-Cœur and a cruise on the Seine.

But that’s just for starters, and if you have a particular interest in French art or history you can give your curiosity free rein at countless museums around the capital.

3. Disneyland Paris, Marne-la-Vallée

This is two  theme parks that are part of the same resort.

The first, Disneyland Park opened in 1992 and is the most popular theme park in Europe, and in the top ten most-visited in the world.

It’s no exaggeration to say there’s something for everyone in the park’s five “Lands”, holding 49 attractions, from the high-speed Space Mountain: Mission 2, to the kid-friendly Alice’s Curious Labyrinth in Fantasyland.

Neighbouring Walt Disney Studios gets almost as many visitors, and brings to life the movie-making process with zones like the “Backlot” where there’s a gripping action show with stunt drivers.

4. Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte, Maincy

There’s a story to go with this extravagant domed palace and gardens that is just as riveting as the architecture.

It was built for Nicolas Fouquet, a precocious young man in Louis XIV’s court, Appointed Superintendent of Finances in the 1640s.

The complex was the work of Louis le Vau, André le Nôtre and Charles le Brun, all later responsible for Versailles.

But Fouquet’s ambition, as epitomised by Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte, inspired the king’s suspicion and he was jailed from 1661 until he died in 1680. Hear about his life via the audio tour as you peruse his home, which was the last word in 17th-century opulence.

Perhaps best of all, there are none of the crowds of Versailles!

5. Château de Courances, Essonne

Set an hour south of Paris by road, this palace has formal gardens that are held among the most beautiful in France.

The mid-17th-century renaissance water features have drawn the admiration of visitors for centuries, with a sequence of long rectangular ponds fed by water from a natural source.

The château and grounds are quite unusual as they’re still privately-owned, but they open up to visitors on the weekends.

It’s impossible not to feel distinguished as you saunter along the boulevards and past the pools, but don’t neglect the Japanese garden laid out by Duchêne and Mme de Ganay, ancestors of the current occupiers in 1930.

6. Domaine de Sceaux

These are the fabulous grounds of the Château de Sceaux, built in the 17th century for Jean-Baptiste Colbert, Louis XIV’s finance minister.

After the revolution the original palace was demolished, but many of the  17th-century structures around the park remain, including the orangery, stables and a stunning pavilion.

The gardens were restored in the mid-19th century when a more modest version of the château was also erected.

Take a leisurely stroll through the parterre, past scrupulously-groomed topiaries and carpet-like lawns.

Those lovely 17th-century outbuildings have housed the Musée d’Ile-de-France since 1973, with exhibitions about the history of Paris and special attention paid to the Parisian art scene in the early-1900s.

7. Le Parc de la Vallée-aux-Loups, Châtenay-Malabry

Sprawling over 60 hectares, the Parc de la Vallée-aux-Loups is a set of parks and gardens on the southern fringe of Paris.

The most photogenic part is the arboretum, which is founded on the nurseries of the Croux family and is replete with exotic species.

Two of the trees in this garden have been awarded the label “Arbre Remarquable de France”, a weeping blue atlas cedar and a myrsine-leaved oak, an extremely rare variety.

You can make an afternoon of it by brining a picnic or calling in at the cafe, or having a look around the romantic writer Chateaubriand’s home here.

8. Basilica Cathedral of Saint-Denis

Saint-Denis may be one of the scruffier parts of outer Paris, but it has an enchanting gothic cathedral where all but three of France’s kings are buried.

This alone makes it a must-see.

You can choose between a two-hour guided tour, guidebook, or handheld audio guide.

Before you go in pause for a moment before the western facade, which was built in 1130 and among the earliest example of gothic architecture in the world.

See the funerary monuments, including the Order of Saint-Louis, dating to 1250, where the tombs of 16 successive kings are in a row to express the connection between their dynasties.

Later the tombs were designed during the monarchs’ lifetimes and become very elaborate, like the renaissance marble sculpture for Louis XII and Anne de Bretagne.

9. Forest of Fontainebleau

For fresh air you could take a day trip south of Paris to this oak and Scots pine forest covering 280 square kilometres.

The forest is so vast that it’s worth popping into the tourist office for trail maps, whether you’re walking or mountain biking.

There are 16 different hiking routes specially laid-out for visitors, all depending on how long you want to walk and what sort of terrain you’d like to tackle.

They’ll lead you to some cool natural monuments like caves and huge boulders that you can climb over.

Pay a visit to Fontainebleau, the town cradled at the heart of the forest, with a UNESCO-listed palace that was a home for monarchs from the 1200s up to Napoleon III in the 19th century.

10. Maison Jean Cocteau, Milly-la-Forêt

The 20th-century French cultural icon settled in this house in 1947 and stayed there until he died in 1963. Jean Cocteau was famed for his large circle of influential friends, and  during this time some of the world’s most celebrated artists were welcomed here as guests, most notably Pablo Picasso and Andy Warhol.

Fans of Cocteau’s work will be absorbed by the sheer wealth of material to sift through, including manuscripts, sketches and film and sound clips as you step through his office, lounge area and bedroom.

Artwork by Picasso, Modigliani and Warhol are on show, and there’s a screening room where you can get an introduction to Cocteau’s acclaimed cinematic works.

11. Musée Albert-Kahn, Boulogne-Billancourt

In this posh suburb just to the west of Paris is a museum where you can delve into the work of the turn-of-the-century banker and philanthropist Albert Kahn.

He is best-known for the “Archives de la Planète” a mammoth archive of 72,000 colour photographs taken around the world between 1909 and 1931. There’s nothing to compare to it anywhere else.

If you’re inspired by anthropology or vintage photography you can kill hours perusing these photos.

But you’d be remiss not to see the park, also designed by Kahn and modelled on locations around the world.

Come on certain days in the summer and you can even take part in a Kyoto-style Japanese tea ceremony in these tranquil gardens.

12. Château de Vincennes

In Paris’ eastern suburbs , close enough to the centre to reach via Metro Line 1, is a vast French royal castle, the only in the area to be completely fortified.

Surprisingly few tourists make it to this landmark, but it’s brimming with history and is a no-nonsense alternative to Versailles.

The castle’s roots go back to the 12th century when it was chosen as a hunting lodge for Louis VII: King of England, Henry V died at Vincennes in  1422 from dysentery, while Louis XIV also lived here in the 17th century while Versailles was being built.

The tour will take an hour, and you have to follow this up with a turn in the grounds, designed in the English country style.

13. Auvers-sur-Oise

You can recount the last days of van Gogh at this village 35 minutes northwest of Paris by train.

The beloved post-impressionist painter was extremely productive in the last 70 days of his life, producing 70 works before he died . As the village is also now within the Vexin Natural Regional park it is a conservation zone and can’t be expanded or altered, and so gives you a good snapshot of life in the late-19th century.

In the summer there’s a daily “In the Steps of van Gogh” tour, pointing out the main landmarks, including scenes that he painted and the Auberge Ravoux where he died in 1890. His grave is next to his brother Theo’s, who passed away six months later.

14. Parc des Félins, Lumigny-Nesles-Ormeaux

This zoo 55 kilometres southeast of Paris is all about feline conservation, and this calls for large enclosures that encourage the park’s cheetahs, lions, lynxes and leopards to reproduce.

For people who want ethical animal treatment it’s a guilt-free attraction, and also one of the most complete overviews of the cat family.

Of the world’s 41 cat species, 30 are kept at Parc des Félins.

The spacious enclosures have a potential downside, in that it can be hard to spot the cats in the undergrowth, but there are carefully-positioned viewing windows that get you a bit closer.

Littler visitors can meet and feed goats at the petting zoo, and there’s a lemur section where these adorable primates roam free and often approach visitors.

15. Château de Malmaison

Set in Rueil-Malmaison, this manor house was Empress Joséphine’s residence, which she bought in 1799 while Napoleon was away for the Egyptian Campaign.

She remained here after her divorce with Napoleon until her death in 1814. It’s a large château and needed a lot of restoration when it was purchased, and Napoleon hadn’t been pleased with the expense! The French government was based at Malmaison and the Tuileries at the start of the 19th century, and it’s now a museum dedicated to Napoleon, with loads of intriguing objects belonging to him and especially Joséphine, like her porcelain dining service and opulently furnished chambers.

15 Best Things to Do in Île-de-France:

• Palace of Versailles
• Disneyland Paris, Marne-la-Vallée
• Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte, Maincy
• Château de Courances, Essonne
• Domaine de Sceaux
• Le Parc de la Vallée-aux-Loups, Châtenay-Malabry
• Basilica Cathedral of Saint-Denis
• Forest of Fontainebleau
• Maison Jean Cocteau, Milly-la-Forêt
• Musée Albert-Kahn, Boulogne-Billancourt
• Château de Vincennes
• Auvers-sur-Oise
• Parc des Félins, Lumigny-Nesles-Ormeaux
• Château de Malmaison

Best Things to Do in Ile-de-France

Article written by Elisa - Travel Writer & Local in France This article may contain compensated links. Please read disclaimer for more info.

Île-de-France , in Northern France , is the cultural and political heart of France and it offers a unique backdrop for any trip to Paris, with countless historical monuments, magnificent châteaux, picturesque villages, and beautiful countryside.

The region around the French capital, the most populated region in France, is divided into 8 departments: Paris, Essonne, Hauts-de-Seine, Seine-Saint-Denis, Seine-et-Marne, Val-de-Marne, Val-d’Oise, and Yvelines . Its inhabitants are called francilians.

Immerse yourself in history in Paris and in other incredible museums nearby such as the Archaeological Museum of Saint Germain-en-Laye or the Great War Museum in Meaux.

However, Ile-de-France is also and above all a vast countryside, with the Fontainebleau forest, the Vexin natural park, the Haute-Vallée de Chevreuse, and the bucolic banks of the Marne Rivers and Oise.

Île-de-France is diverse, and that’s good! Below, the list of best things to do in Ile-de-France to get a glimpse of its history, culture, and natural wonders.

Related posts

>> Explore Ile-de-France by car

>> Explore Ile-de-France by train

Paris, the Capital

For many travelers, Paris will be France’s front door and the first contact with the country. And there’s so much to see and do in Paris that some people don’t want to go further!

First of all, Paris is history and art . It is Lutetia, the Gallo-Roman city but also the medieval city of the French Kings, Napoleon III’s new Athens, or the baron Haussmann’s modern city.

Paris is also a moveable feast . From the roaring twenties to our days, it is difficult to get bored in a city with such a wide program of festivals, exhibitions and shows all year round.

Take the time to discover Paris as it is today – bourgeois to the west and popular to the east – and explore also its main sights. The Ile de la Cité, the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower, the Invalides, the Tuileries Gardens, the Arc de Triomphe, the Sacré-Coeur on the Butte Montmartre … but also the lesser-known districts of Paris.

>> Click here to plan your first trip to Paris

Versailles Palace and Gardens

Versailles is one of the world’s most famous palaces and a jewel of French Baroque architecture. Its beauty and its proximity to the French capital make of Versailles the most popular day trip from Paris.

King Louis XIV and his successors turned a modest hunting lodge into a seat of their power. With the Gardens, the Palaces of Trianon, and the Queen’s Hamlet, the Versailles Estate spreads over 800 hectares.

Don’t miss the Gardens of Versailles . Designed by the landscape designer André Le Notre, they feature 200.000 trees, beautiful classic sculptures and water features of all kinds. After the visit to the Palace, the area around the Grand Canal is perfect for a picnic on the grass.

Check out this Versailles Quick Guide to get the most out of this top sight near Paris.

Disneyland Paris

Disneyland Paris is a magic world, rich in fantasy and full of adventure where more than one would like to get lost right now.

Disneyland Paris is home to two theme parks— Disneyland Park and Walt Disney Studios Park —as well as multiple hotels, entertainment offerings, and restaurants. The theme parks contain more than 50 great attractions for all ages, and adults without kids can also spend a wonderful day at Euro Disney.

Disneyland Paris’ entertainment options are delightful, even if you don’t speak the language. Disneyland Park’s evening fireworks show is just extraordinary.

The good news is that Disneyland Paris is located at less than 40 kilometers from Paris, so it is possible to visit on a day trip from the French capital by car or public transportation. If you have the time, however, spend a night in one of the wonderful Disney hotels, located at a walking distance to the parks, for a full Disney experience.

>> Click here to book your Disney hotel

Provins, Medieval Town

Provins is one of the most beautiful medieval towns near Paris, well known for its half-timbered houses, well-preserved city walls, and other interesting medieval buildings.

Provins was the capital of the powerful Counts of Champagne. Thanks to its strategic location and the counts’ protection, the town became one of the most important international trade fairs in Europe during the 11th and 13th centuries. Still today, Provins hosts the best medieval fair in Europe ( Les Médiévales de Provins ), a fair where all the inhabitants participate with their medieval costumes and that we recommend visiting if you are around in June.

Finally, don’t miss Provins’ underground city ( Les Souterrains de Provins ), a vast network of underground tunnels and passages from the 13th century that connected the houses of medieval Provins.

Castles Near Paris

Visitors to the French capital don’t need to go far to find a bit of royalness, since there are several castles near Paris that make great day trips.

From medieval ruins to royal palaces or hunting castles for the French Kings and the nobility, these châteaux near Paris come in a variety of styles and repair.

Some of these castles are also considered the best châteaux in France for their architecture or decor whilst other castles are less impressive but with an incredible history behind. The one thing they have in common is that they’re all awesome places to see.

Click here for the list of best castles near Paris

Forest of Fontainebleau

The forest of Fontainebleau is one of the most beautiful natural places in Ile-de-France, covering a surface equivalent to 2.5 times Paris. Fontainebleau was in the past the Kings’ favorite spot for hunting and they used to spend long periods in Château de Fontainebleau, especially during the hunting season.

Today, the forest of Fontainebleau is the hikers’ paradise in Ile-de-France, with more than 500 km of marked trails. The 25 Bosses Trail is the most famous hiking trail in Fontainebleau, a difficult up and down – up and down hike with amazing viewpoints everywhere. This hike usually takes 6-7 hours and good physical condition are necessary.

A more relaxing way to explore this wonderful forest is on a hot air balloon, Fontainebleau looks even more impressive from the sky! Click here to see some beautiful shots of Fontainebleau from above.

Basilica of Saint-Denis

The Basilica of Saint-Denis is one of the most important religious buildings in Ile-de-France, the kind of place you have to visit at least once in your life.

Basilica of Saint-Denis was built at the exact spot where Saint-Denis, the saint patron of Paris and France, was buried. Since the 7th century, Basilica of Saint-Denis is the burial place of most of the Kings of France, who chose to rest eternally near the remains of the saint.

The Basilica of Saint-Denis is also the first gothic cathedral . During the 12th century, under the rule of Abbot Suger, the church went through extensive reconstruction works using new techniques such as the pointed arch and pointed ribbed vault and the play of light through stained glass windows.

The Basilica of Saint-Denis is located in the Parisian suburbs and it can be reached by metro on a half-day trip from Paris.

Small Towns Near Paris

There are many picturesque towns near Paris worth visiting, perfect to get out in the fresh air and see a different side of France. Most of these towns around Paris make excellent day trips from Paris by train.

Some of these towns like Auvers-sur-Oise or Bougival inspired the Impressionists and other great painters for their most famous paintings whilst other towns are just so pretty that they don’t need any other excuse to visit.

Where to go to explore a bit of the countryside around the French capital? Click here for the most beautiful small towns around Paris.

The Vallée-aux-Loups

The Vallée-aux-Loups is a beautiful natural area located in Châtenay-Malabry, in Hauts-de-Seine, and it is an easy day trip from Paris by train (RER B).

The Valley’s Arboretum includes a unique collection of hundreds of different trees and shrubs and it is listed in the national inventory of artistic, historic, scientific, legendary, and picturesque sites.

Amongst all the beautiful trees, the weeping blue cedar is the most exceptional. This blue cedar boasts 680 m² of antlers and it is classified as a remarkable tree at the national level.

When visiting the Vallée-aux-Loups, don’t miss the Domaine of Chateaubriand , with the writer’s beautiful house and surrounding park. Chateaubriand lived in this house with his wife until 1818 and it was the place where he wrote some of his major works.

If Combourg is where Chateaubriand claims to have become what he is, the Vallée-aux-Loups is another emblematic place linked to the memory of the writer. Actually, it was Chateaubriand who named this valley Vallée-aux-Loups (Valley of Wolves).

Parc de Sceaux

Le Domaine Départemental de Sceaux is a classic garden “à la française” built in the 17th century for Colbert, Minister of Finances under the rule of King Louis XIV. The Sceaux Estate is located 5km southwest of Paris, between the communes of Sceaux and Antony.

The magnificent garden designed by the famous landscape designer André le Notre is today a big urban parc, space for beautiful walks, picnics on the grass, games, and celebrations. Just like Versailles, it boasts a canal more than 1km long, but also an octagonal pond and other water features.

Parc de Sceaux is famous for its cherry trees, the most beautiful cherry blossoms in all Ile-de-France. But this is a park worth visiting all year round, to see how it changes with the seasons.

Apart from the natural spaces, you may want to visit the 19th-century Château-Museum , which features a collection of paintings, furniture, and other objects illustrating the history of the château and its owners. Around the Château, visitors can also see the stables, an Orangerie, and a couple of temples.

Food in Ile-de-France

Paris boasts nearly 70 Michelin-starred restaurants but it is also a pleasure to have some of the French classics in typical (and more modest) Parisian brasseries or bistros.

The Ile-de-France region produces a vast number of gourmet products: Houdan poultry, lamb from Ile-de-France, as well as Parisian mushrooms and cress from Méréville.

The local cheeses are Brie from Meaux, Melun or Coulommiers and some vineyards near Meaux are also allowed to produce champagne. On weekends, after the harvest, locals love to wander around and fill up their stocks at the small wine and champagne producers.

Finally, you may want to try some yummy desserts, such as the Paris-Brest, chouquettes, or Saint-Honoré. The cherries from Montmorency are also a must of Ile-de-France.

PRACTICAL INFO & OUR FAVORITES | PARIS & ILE-DE-FRANCE

Best time to Visit Paris & Ile-de-France, France

There is no best season to visit Paris and Ile-de-France, each season has its own charm.

If budget is your main concern, choose the low season, from December (except Christmas holidays) to March.

Shoulder seasons mean a more local feeling and lesser crowds but temperatures can be fresh, with some days of rain.

If you want to be sure to have sunny days and blue skies, then visit the region in the late spring or in the summer. Summer is also the peak season in Paris so book everything well in advance.

Traveling to Paris & Ile-de-France

Paris has two main airports, Paris Charles-de-Gaulle (CDG) and Paris Orly (ORY) located more or less at the same distance from Paris. In general, intercontinental flights land to Charles de Gaulle whilst Orly is mainly used for domestic flights and flights from /to southern Europe.

>> Click here to book your flight tickets to Paris

Paris has six large terminus railway stations. Each station serves both an area of the suburbs and is a starting point for main lines to other regions of France and abroad.  Paris Gare du Nord is often considered the first train station in Europe and the third in the world in terms of passengers’ frequentation.

>> Click here to book your train tickets to Paris

Where to stay in Ile-de-France?

Paris is the best place to stay in Ile-de-France. From there, you can explore the rest of the region on day trips by train or guided tours.

>> Here’s a selection of wonderful hotels in Paris

What to do in Ile-de-France?

• City sightseeing, historical sightseeing
• Hiking, cycling, rock climbing, sailing
• Romantic, Cultural and gastronomy getaways

Useful Links

• Book your train tickets to Paris
• Global wi-fi – stay connected on the go with Skyroam

We hope that you enjoyed the main places to visit in Ile-de-France. If you want to learn about other regions head to this article on the Regions of France , where we have summarized the highlights of each region.

Click here to Explore France by Region

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Île-de-France

The Île-de-France région – the 12,000 sq km ‘Island of France’ shaped by five rivers that encircles the French capital – contains splendid architecture including some of the most monumental châteaux in the country, set amid magnificent gardens.

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Attractions

Must-see attractions.

Cathédrale Notre Dame

One of Western civilisation’s crowning architectural achievements, the 130m-long Cathédrale Notre Dame de Chartres is renowned for its brilliant-blue…

Château de Versailles

Amid magnificently landscaped formal gardens, this splendid and enormous palace was built in the mid-17th century during the reign of Louis XIV – the Roi…

Château de Fontainebleau

Fontainebleau

The resplendent, 1900-room Château de Fontainebleau’s list of former tenants and guests reads like a who’s who of French royalty and aristocracy. Every…

Disneyland Resort Paris

Basic one-day admission fees at Disneyland Resort Paris include unlimited access to attractions in either Disneyland Park or Walt Disney Studios Park. A…

Château de Versailles Gardens & Park

The section of the vast gardens nearest the palace, laid out between 1661 and 1700 in the formal French style, is famed for its geometrically aligned…

Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte

The privately owned Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte and its fabulous formal gardens, 20km north of Fontainebleau and 61km southeast of Paris, were designed and…

Château de Chantilly

A storybook vision amid an artificial lake and magnificent gardens, the Château de Chantilly contains a superb collection of paintings within the Musée…

Château de Fontainebleau Gardens & Park

On the northern side of the Château de Fontainebleau is the formal Jardin de Diane, created by Catherine de Médicis. Le Nôtre’s formal, 17th-century…

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Cultural tourism: Landmarks in Paris and Île-de-France

Are you into cultural discoveries ? In Paris and Ile-de-France, there are countless French heritage gems and they all are worth the trip. From the most famous museums , to unknown monuments , from astounding gardens to historic ruins, without forgetting castles , here are the most fantastic treasures in the area so that you can choose where to wander around in the Parisian area.

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Cities & towns of Ile-de-France

Tourism, holidays & weekends guide in ile-de-france.

The capital of France attracts more visitors with every passing year, and with good reason! At once romantic, prestigious, lively, vibrant, creative and incredibly rich in culture and architecture, the city of Paris is brimming with countless attractions. Its various districts, all very different from each other, and its plethora of museums, exceptional monuments, magnificent parks, designer boutiques, Art Déco brasseries, typical little bistros and old bookshops are sure to enchant you. Art-lovers can’t help but be seduced by the masterpieces at the Louvre, the Impressionist collections of the Orsay Museum, the canvases and sculptures at the Picasso Museum, or the paintings at the Carnavalet Museum. There is plenty of architectural heritage too, and the greatest eras of history have made their mark all over Paris. From Antiquity, with the Gallo-Roman thermal baths in Cluny, to the 19th century with the unmissable Eiffel Tower and the majestic Arc de Triompe, through the Middle Ages with the famous cathedral of Notre-Dame de Paris and the picturesque John the Fearless Tower, visitors in search of sightseeing are spoilt for choice! And after a pleasant walk on the banks of the Seine or along the peaceful paths in the Garden of Plants, Monceau Park or the Tuileries Garden, you surely won’t want ever want to leave this charming and splendid city of a thousand faces!

In den Hauts-de-Seine, ein Departement voller Kontraste, harmoniert die Architektur des Viertels La Défense wie selbstverständlich mit dem Jahrhunderte alten Know-how der Keramikstadt Sèvres.

Das Departement mit der Ordnungsnummer 92 ist geprägt von Geschichte, Kunst und Kultur. Eines seiner Aushängeschilder ist ohne Zweifel das Schloss Malmaison, eine legendäre Stätte, die heute ein Nationalmuseum zur Erinnerung an Napoleon ist. Aber auch andere Kulturorte, die sich auf namhafte Persönlichkeiten spezialisiert haben, sind einen Besuch wert, darunter das Museum und die Gärten Albert-Kahn, die Stiftung Arp, das Museum Paul-Belmondo und das Museum Rodin. Das Museum der 1930er Jahre in Boulogne-Billancourt, das Heimatmuseum in Rueil-Malmaison oder der Hügel Valérien und das Memorial der Escadrille von La Fayette sind beliebte Ziele bei Geschichtsbegeisterten.

Wer gerne in Städten flaniert, wird Neuilly-sur-Seine, Meudon, Rueil-Malmaison und Saint-Cloud lieben. Naturfreunde haben die Wahl zwischen weiten Naturräumen und prestigeträchtigen Domänen, von denen eine harmonischer und ruhiger als die andere ist: Vallée-aux-Loups, Sceaux, Saint-Cloud und der schöne Wald von Meudon.

Seine-Saint-Denis is brimming with attractions and places to discover. The Basilica of St. Denis, a Gothic architectural gem and a royal necropolis, is one of the jewels in its crown. In a different vein, take in the lively atmosphere of the Paris Saint-Ouen flea market, which has no fewer than 12 markets, all with different identities! The Air and Space Museum in Le Bourget, France's biggest aeronautical museum, as well as the legendary Stade de France are other renowned visitor attractions in the area.

Seine-Saint-Denis always makes space for nature, with its many departmental parks: Haute-Île, Île-Saint-Denis, Sausset, La Courneuve Georges-Valbon or Jean-Moulin - Les Guilands. If you like tall trees, opt for the La Poudrerie forest park, or if a waterside stroll is more your thing, head for the Canal Saint-Denis or the Canal de l'Ourcq.

Take in some history and culture at the Shoah Memorial in Drancy, the old Mécano factory in La Courneuve or the old Bouilhet-Christofle silverware factory, and be sure to discover the rich heritage in the towns of Saint-Denis, Neuilly-sur-Marne or Pantin.

With its guinguettes (cafés, usually open-air, with a dance floor) on the banks of the Marne, boat trips, parks and gardens, the Val-de-Marne is an ideal destination for those who love leisurely strolls.

A secret garden in Ile-de-France, the department of Essonne, with its scenery of fields, forests, valleys and rivers, has many beautiful parks and gardens which are ideal for a relaxing stroll, like the ones in Courances, Courson and Saint-Jean-de-Beauregard. Discover Essonne by taking a look at its many castles and museums, and don't forget to visit the medieval town of Dourdan, the charming village of Milly-la-Forêt, the Church of Saint-Sulpice-of-Favières and Estampes, Town of Art and History.

The Seine-et-Marne département in the east of the Île-de-France region boasts extensive agricultural land and a rich natural and built heritage, including the celebrated Fontainebleau forest, a paradise for outdoor activities, magnificent parks and gardens, sumptuous palaces such as Fontainebleau and Vaux le Vicomte, the beautiful Grand Morin valley, a favourite haunt of the Impressionists, and medieval fortified towns like Provins, Moret-sur-Loing and Meaux. The Seine-et-Marne is also home to the world-famous theme park Disneyland Paris (in Marne-la-Vallée), a magical experience for kids and grown-ups!

Val-d'Oise is an extremely tourist-friendly region, with plenty to appeal to visitors. The area has a whole host of historic buildings, such as the abbeys of Maubuisson and Royaumon, or the châteaux of Ambleville, Grouchy and La Roche-Guyon. Unmissable attractions include the Villarceaux estate, for a journey back in time to the Enlightenment, and a visit to the National Museum of the Renaissance at the Château d'Écouen. On a more contemporary note, the Axe Majeur trail in Cergy-Pontoise is sure to amaze you.

The localities of Pontoise and Auvers-sur-Oise are imbued with the memory of the Impressionists, and Montmorency with that of Jean-Jacques Rousseau. Luzarches offers a more pastoral setting that's ideal for a scenic walk, while Enghien-les-Bains has the only spa resort in Île-de-France. There is also no shortage of museums in the department of Val-d'Oise, including the Louis-Senlecq Museum of Art and History, the Harvest Museum or the Val-d'Oise Departmental Fire Brigade Museum.

Feeling the need for nature? You have plenty of options, such as the idyllic setting of L'Isle-Adam or the livelier Île de Loisirs leisure park in Cergy-Pontoise, the imposing forest of Montmorency or the majestic natural parks of Oise-Pays de France and the French Vexin.

Boasting a rich historic, architectural and artistic heritage, as illustrated by its castles, its abbeys and its royal cities, the Yvelines département is also home to extensive areas of unspoiled countryside. The 70,000 hectares of forests, with its myriad hiking trails, and its beautiful parks and gardens are just some of the features that will delight walkers and lovers of outdoor leisure activities. A great time to be expected!

Related articles Cities & towns of Ile-de-France

Accueil > Paris Region

Paris Region

Regional GDP

Contribution to France's GDP

Regional capital

Europe's leading business Region

Ile-de-France is the prime business region in Europe and one of the most important in the world. By itself it accounts for 4.5% of European GDP. It is distinguished by a highly concentrated productive system, with 1,055,000 businesses, and is home to almost two thirds of headquarters of French businesses employing over 2,000 people. It has the greatest amount of corporate real estate in Europe.

It is the largest employment area in Europe, with six million jobs and a highly skilled labour force (35% of French executives).

Paris is the largest EU stock market in terms of capitalisation, trading and number of listings and Europe’s leading bond market. France leads the asset management industry in continental Europe (ranking second in Europe as a whole), and on this market Paris has an asset management ecosystem unrivalled in Europe. Over 600 specialist companies are established there, and four French firms number among the world’s twenty leading asset managers. Paris has the largest concentration of foreign banks and financial institutions in Europe.

A key region for research and innovation

Ile-de-France is Europe’s leading R&D region with overall R&D spending equivalent to that of Silicon Valley. Research and development provides employment for 162,000 people in global R&D centres and in the many businesses at the forefront of global innovation. This global appeal is underpinned by internationally recognised hubs such as Grand Roissy, La Défense and Paris-Saclay. Ile-de-France currently has a number of competitiveness clusters operating in its area, covering over 4,300 members, including more than 3,600 businesses. The region also has an extremely dense innovation ecosystem, with over a hundred incubators and accelerators to support the growth of entrepreneurial projects. The opening of Station F, the world’s largest incubator, in 2017 is part of this process, bringing together thousands of creators, partners, investors and talents in one spot.

The World’s leading tourist destination

As the world’s leading tourist destination, Ile-de-France receives 49 million tourists a year. The region contains the French capital and is supported by business tourism (Nine million visitors to the region’s 440 trade fairs and 1,110 congresses), its abundance of remarkable heritage and its outstanding cultural offering: 4,000 historical monuments, 140 museums, 700 theatres and cinemas and five opera houses. Its cultural and tourist sites are known throughout the world: Disneyland® Paris, Notre Dame, the Sacré Coeur, the Louvre Museum, the Eiffel Tower and the Palace of Versailles.

A future-oriented global megalopolis

Ile-de-France has the global ambition of becoming a megalopolis driving future innovation and promoting major international events. By doubling the size of the Paris metro system, the Grand Paris Express – the largest infrastructure project in Europe – will take the region into this new dimension. Paris will also be hosting the 2024 Olympic Games, which will generate major infrastructure and construction projects.

Welcome to Paris Region

Choose Paris Region provides free, confidential and customized support to international companies throughout the entire process, from decision-making to implementation and even re-invest. Among its services, the Global Mobility team can help your foreign employees and families relocate to Paris Region: immigration procedures, housing research, bank accounts, schooling, healthcare, spouse integration and employment…

Choose Paris Region has published a practical guide to living in Paris Region.

Paris Region: Come for business, Stay for life

Where to apply for a residence permit

• Préfecture de police de Paris
• Préfecture de Seine-Saint-Denis (Bobigny)
• Préfecture des Hauts-de-Seine (Nanterre)
• Préfecture du Val-de-Marne (Créteil)
• Préfecture des Yvelines (Versailles)
• Préfecture de Seine-et-Marne (Melun)
• Préfecture du Val-d’Oise (Cergy-Pontoise)
• Préfecture de l’Essonne (Evry)

Paris Region has an extensive selection of bilingual programs and international schools open to foreign and French pupils from kindergarden to high school:

• Near 120 schools with International Sections or Binational sections offering bicultural education and intensive schooling in 17 different foreign languages
• 7 international public high schools and 2 scheduled for 2021 and 2023
• A variety of curriculum: International Baccalaureat (IB), European Baccalaureat, A-Levels, High School Diploma, Montessori…
• Near 40 international schools, including well-known schools: British School of Paris, American School of Paris, Jeannine Manuel, EIB Paris, Marymount…
• The new European School in Paris-La Défense and other ongoing or upcoming school projects

Sections internationales

Guide to International Education in Paris Region: internationaleducation.parisregion.eu

Do you want to gain insight on French education, particularly regarding languages? Do not hesitate to contact us: [email protected]

French Tech in Ile-de-France

The startup ecosystem in the Paris Region is today one of the most active in the world:

• 8,000+ startups with a focus on DeepTech, AI, Big Data, IoT…
• A multi-industry innovation hub (aeronautic, engineering, ICT, Finance, Biotech and healthtech, mobility, creative industry…)
• The first concentration of R&D personnel in Europe (162,000 employees), and more than 1,200 public and private R&D labs
• Europe’s largest and most diversified pool of innovation-oriented talent
• A wide range of incubators & accelerators covering all sectors (The Paris Region is home of Station F, the world’s biggest startup campus)
• Europe’s #2 largest inventory of flexible real estate solutions (621 third places)

Paris Region - The Startup Home

Discover Paris Region

Cinephiles and athletes, foodies and nature-lovers, art buffs and world travelers…Life in the Paris Region offers something for everyone.

Enjoy an unforgettable life experience in Paris Region with:

• Its abundance of remarkable heritage and its outstanding cultural offering: 4,000 historical monuments, 140 museums, 700 theatres and cinemas and 5 opera houses, exhibitions, festivals, theme parks…
• Its effervescent gastronomy scene: more than 22,000 restaurants, big names in French cuisine, foreign specialties, Parisian cafes, organic cafes,… there is something for every taste!
• Its 75% green space, lakes and rivers and more than 400 parks, making it the most forested European capital
• The fitness conscious individuals and families will enjoy an extensive public pool network, numerous bike paths, tennis courts, equestrian centers, golf courses…

Visit Paris Region: visitparisregion.com/en

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Visit Paris Region promotes the region to tourists as a tourism destination.

Paris Region Destination

For several years the destination “Paris Region” has been the most visited tourist region in the world .

Widely popular for the diversity of its natural, heritage and cultural wealth, our destination offers visitors of all ages, from near and far, a wide choice of holidays – particularly short city breaks – and activities of all types, all year round.

The principal region for French art of living, it promotes the influence of the cultural values for which our country is internationally famous.

“Paris Region” is also one of the youngest and multicultural regions in Europe and its creative energy in many fields ‒ design, fashion, music, etc – is constantly reinvigorated. Visit Paris Region – by agreement with the Ile-de-France Conseil régional (regional council), of which it is a public organization partner – promotes the region to tourists as a tourism destination.

Paris Region Tourist Centres, with the support of the Conseil Régional d’Ile-de-France and Paris Aéroports, welcomes visitors at strategic entry points to the destination.

Our Tourist Information Centres

Every day, from 7am to 9pm , at 9 Tourist Information Centres located in Paris Charles-de-Gaulle airport and Paris Orly airport , Disneyland Paris and in the heart of Paris at Galeries Lafayette , the agents welcome, inform, advise and offer a wide range of services.

Our Tourism Volunteers welcome , inform and guide tourists to the main tourist and leisure sites of the Paris Ile-de-France destination, from June to September and during the festive season.

• Copyright image: C.Helsly / CRT Paris Ile-de-France

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