Île-de-France is the region of north-central France that surrounds Paris and takes in the city's wider suburbs and countryside. For many visitors it is the first stop on a trip to France, and it holds a remarkable concentration of sights within a short distance of the capital.
What to see
- The Eiffel Tower, the region's best-known landmark, rising over the city's western side.
- The Louvre Museum, one of the largest art museums in the world, set in a former royal palace.
- The Palace of Versailles, the royal residence just outside Paris, with its palace rooms and gardens.
What kind of visit it makes
Île-de-France suits a mix of trips. Those who want art, history and architecture can spend days moving between the great museums and monuments of Paris. Those who prefer open space can head out of the city toward Versailles, where the gardens offer a slower pace than the streets of the centre. Because the region is well connected, day trips from the capital are easy to plan, and the same base can serve both city sightseeing and excursions into the surrounding countryside.
Whether you come for a single landmark or a longer stay, the region gives you a wide choice of places within reach, and the centre of Paris is never far away.
