Ile de France

Because the Ile-de-France is frequently associated with the French capital, people tend to forget that it is a cluster of small provinces, many of which are charmingly rural. A quaint belfry crowning an old church, narrow roads winding their way into the undergrowth or a small village perched atop a cliff are a few of the country scenes glimpsed in the valleys of the Chevreuse, the Yvette and the Essonne, or in the forests of Rambouillet, Saint Germain and Sénart.

Several hundred kilometres of signposted hiking trails have been laid out for tourists, introducing them to the artistic, geographical and architectural riches of the area. Set out to discover the Retz Desert, the troglodyte church in Haute-Isle, the Viorne windmills, the river port at Conflans-Sainte-Honorine, the Maurice Ravel Museum in Montfort-l'Amaury or the Picasso Museum in Pontoise, to name but a few.

Gothic art originated and flourished in the Paris region, as is evidenced by the remarkable monuments that have survived the ravages of time. In a more Classical style, the Kings of France commissioned the building of sumptuous châteaux and palaces, entrusting the design of their gardens to renowned specialists such as Le Nôtre. These royal residences are to be found mainly in Fontainebleau, Provins, Saint-Germain-en-Laye and naturally Versailles; they were to play a decisive role in the life of the country and may be seen as the archives of French history.
However you may also set yourself humbler destinations and choose to mingle with the many Parisians who spend their weekends leisurely strolling down paved streets or country lanes, or picnicking on the banks of the River Seine, under the graceful gaze of a colony of swans.

Get more tourist information : http://english.pidf.com/