Paris / Ile de France

With its tree lined boulevards, museums, art galleries, the Arc de Triomphe and of course the famous Eiffel Tower, this cosmopolitan city has plenty to offer. Less than 30 miles from the heart of the capital, a fun-packed trip to Disneyland Paris is also within reach.

One of the chicest and most culturally rewarding cities in the world, Paris has something for everyone. The list of things to do is virtually endless and could easily fill many holidays - window shopping, the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, Montmartre, trips on the Seine, pavement cafés and the Moulin Rouge; the list goes on. The nearby Disneyland Resort Paris provides a great day out for all the family with two fantastic theme parks and over 70 attractions and shows to choose from. On the outskirts of Paris is Parc Astérix, home to Oziris, one of Europe’s most impressive roller-coasters.

Away from the famous sights and luxurious shops, a verdant oasis awaits in the hills and secret woodlands of the Ile de France. Squarebell towers in gentle valleys, white silos on endless plains of wheat, soft and harmonious landscapes painted and praised by La Fontaine, Corot and all the landscape painters. Paris is surrounded by forests, Fontainebleau, Compiègne, Saint-Germain-en-Laye and majestic châteaux such as Fontainebleau and Vaux-le-Vicomte.

The celebrated capital of France, a city of romance, fashion and artistic prowess, Paris is known worldwide as a sophisticated and magical destination. It’s almost impossible to walk its streets without spotting a famous landmark or thinking of cultural icons: Montmartre proudly bears both the Sacré Coeur and associations with some of art’s elite – Picasso, Monet, Matisse, Dalí; the Rue Cambon cannot be walked without recalling Coco Chanel.

The combination of glamour and grandeur is enticing and made all the more so by the city’s reputation for great food. From boutique chocolatiers and patisseries to Michelin-starred restaurants, visitors are never far away from an exquisite meal or specialist treat. Away from the main tourist spots, Paris’ hidden secrets are a joy to stumble upon – tucked-away courtyards and garden cafés, lesser-known art museums and unknown shops all add to the city’s mystery and character.

A fabulous place to explore on foot or cycling, a trip to Paris can be tailored to provide the best of everything – sightseeing, fine dining and even perhaps a chocolate or wine tasting.

Places of interest

Fontainebleau: château and national museum, history of Napoléon from 1804-1815.

Malmaison: château and national museum.

Meaux: agricultural centre; Gothic cathedral, chapter house and palace.

Paris: obviously! The list of places is too extensive to include here.

St Germain-en-Laye: château; Gallo-roman and Merovingian archaeological museum.

Sèvres: ceramics museum.

Thoiry: château and Parc Zoologique, 450-hectare park with gardens and African reserve containing 800 animals.

Versailles: Royal Castle, Royal Apartments, Hall of Mirrors, Royal Opera and French History Museum.

Cuisine of the region

Although it has no specific regional cuisine, Paris and the Ile de France offer a wide selection of dishes from all the regions of France. Paris also has a wide choice of restaurants serving dishes from around the world. You can at least start with the most famous foods to try in Paris. 

Croque-monsieur: Made up of two slices of bread, filled with boiled ham and béchamel and covered with a generous layer of melted cheese

Macaron: Composed of two crisp shells made of ground almonds, macarons are filled with a sweet paste of classic and exotic flavours such as pistachio, chocolate, red fruits or liquorice.

Entrecôte: Steak and chips

Onion soup: Soup of caramelized onions topped with a layer of melted cheese mixed with croutons.

Croissant: Buttery, flaky pastry, French viennoiserie pastries originally from Austria (Vienna). 

Steak tartare:  A restaurant classic that consists of raw fillet steak seasoned with capers, onion and black pepper. served with a raw egg yolk on top.