| Despite
its name, Ile-de-France is not an island. No spot
could be less insular than this province at the
heart of Europe, since archaic times a strategic
crossroads between Britain and the Mediterranean,
Germany and Spain. Home to some twenty percent
of France’s inhabitants—or about fifteen
million souls—Ile-de-France is the nation’s
richest, most populous and productive region.
Some might be tempted to view Paris, with its
sumptuous monuments and historic sites, as a shrine
to the glories of past kingdoms and empires. But
that is not the whole story. Paris is a high-energy
modern metropolis, a creative world capital.
COUP
OF THE CENTURY
Cook
and Make Up
The
Gayots witness the unthinkable in a restaurant:
Former arch enemies Alain Ducasse and Joël
Robuchon bury the war hatchet in the ovens
and collaborate on a "best of menu"
at The Relais du Parc. Sophie Gayot even got
them to pose for a picture! |
|
|
CLASSIC
PARIS
10
Best Bistros in Paris
Known for comforting food
and warm, romantic environments, bistros
are ideal places to eat while in Paris,
the city that made them famous. Check out
our top picks. |
THE
CHARMS OF CHANTILLY
A
Grand Castle on the Water
Reflected
in the shimmering waters of its moat, the
Château de Chantilly, located about
40 kilometers from Paris, looks like a fairytale
castle, almost too perfect to be true. |
|
|
72-HOUR VACATION
A
Veritable Feast
Chic,
cosmopolitan and vibrant, Paris is the ultimate
walking city. We don't recommend gearing
up for a monument marathon including mechanical
stops at the Eiffel Tower, L’Arc de
Triomphe, Notre Dame and the Louvre. Paris
itself is the attraction, to be savored
slowly and sensuously, as even the ordinary
features of daily life are aesthetically
appealing: walking around, shopping, stopping
for a café and people watching. |
VAUX-LE-VICOMTE
The
Lost Château
of Nicolas
Fouquet
Vaux-le-Vicomte
is located 55 kilometers southeast of Paris.
Its opulence is awe-inspiring: the gilding
alone is worth a trip. On Friday and Saturday
nights in season, visitors can experience
the ambience of the festivities held in
1661 in honor of Louis XIV. |
|
|
