Whole Earth Guide
The Ile-de-France is, of course, all about Paris in the minds of most people although in reality it is made up of the Departments of Paris, Hauts-de-Seine, Seine-Saint-Denis, Val-de-Marne, Val-d'Oise, Essonne, Yvelines and
Seine-et-Marne.
The whole area is densely packed with tourist attractions and includes everything from the finest museums and chateaux in France to Disneyland within its confines thus containing something to satisfy everyone.
Accommodation is very varied and you can choose to stay in anything ranging an elegant Parisian townhouse to a cute country cottage depending on your preferences.
Within Paris the metro system is the easiest way to get around. This system extends into the suburbs and interconnects with the train lines thus making trips to just about everywhere in this region very simple.
Naturally the main airports are in Paris and you've a choice of Charles de Gaulle (CDG), Orly (ORY) and Beauvais (BVA) which together give you a truly massive selection of airlines.
The rail network is extensive and extremely practical as the French rail system is centered on Paris. You can get the Eurostar from London to Paris Nord.
A selection from Paris...
Like to stay in a property in this area? Why not try one of these propertiesParis top attractions
Everyone has their top 10 list of attractions for Paris but among the must-sees the following feature prominently:
Eiffel Tower
Amongst the most touristy places to go. Funnily enough photos taken from the top don't look like they've been taken in Paris because, of course, the ...more
The Chateau of Versailles: Louis XIV's cottage
The chateau of Versailles is one place that will not only live up to but positively exceed your expectations.
Everything inside was built on a truly grand scale. Where on a normal palace houses on the estate would be small affairs, the Trianons are also rather elegant and elsewhere would be magni...more
Our selection in Hautes Pyrénées : Holy place of pilgrimage - Lourdes
Ever since the young French girl, Bernadette Soubirous, witnessed a series of visions of the Virgin Mary in a grotto in the village of Lourdes back in 1858 the town has become a destination for pilgrims from all over the world.Lourdes is situated in the Dept 65 of the Haute Pyrenees in the regio...more
