Ile de France is the smallest province of France but one of the best known, not least for being home to the country’s capital, Paris. Paris and the suburbs dominate the area and with a population of almost 11 million people, it is home to over 20% of the entire population of France yet covers only 2.2% of the total land area of France. It is one of Europe’s riches regions making the cost of living there very high.
Paris itself has had a very turbulent history, founded around 52BC on an island in the Seine River the city has been ruled by many different nationalities. Napoleon’s attempted seizure of the city had a profound effect upon its modern day structure. The then narrow streets proved very easily barricadable preventing Napoleon’s troops from entering plus his horse drawn artillery could not manoeuvre to bring the guns to bear quickly.
For this reason Napoleon decided to rebuild the entire city, after making careful plans (which included ensuring that his horses could turn easily in the boulevards) he handed the task over to Baron Haussman who started with a modern sewerage system and then proceeded to rebuild the city according to Napoleons ideas. The project was later completed under the leadership of Napoleons nephew. One of the many masterpieces of Baron Haussman must be the Parc des Buttes-Chaumant opened in 1867. The park is a popular city centre haven for nature lovers and walkers as well as families and sportsmen. The wondrous setting includes open lawns, trees, a lake and a hilltop "temple" reached by a suspension bridge which offers fantastic views. Don't forget to visit the famous grotto and waterfall. This is like a miniature version of New York’s Central Park right in the very heart of Paris.
This obviously makes property in Ile de France, very expensive. If you enjoy the bustling city lifestyle, Ile de France property may be perfect for you. Paris and the surrounding areas are teaming with restaurants, bars, cafes, designer shops, department stores and boutiques, as well as the more obvious famous landmarks the most famous of which must be the Eiffel Tower. Although property in Ile de France is extremely expensive, the travel links to and from Britain and other areas of Europe are excellent. The trains and Metro services in Paris are also regular, efficient and cheap to use, making getting around this large city and suburbs, very simple. Ile de France property may also be for you if you enjoy the UK climate. The climate in Ile de France is very similar to that of the uk, with warm summers but cold winters.
It comes as no surprise that holidays in Ile de France are centred around Paris. As one of the most famous cities in the world, tourists flock there in their millions to see such sights as the Eiffel Tower, the Champs Elysees and Notre Dame to name but a few. The areas surrounding Paris paint a more relaxed picture for those looking to escape the city holidays in Ile de France. The landscape is dotted with hunting lodges and chateaux, the most famous being the Chateau de Versailles. Accommodation in Ile de France is widely available. Paris and surrounding areas are bursting with hotels to suit everyone’s pocket, from luxurious city centre Paris hotels to budget hotels and there are even youth hostels in Paris. Many choose a more idyllic setting for their accommodation in Ile de France, by staying in one of the campsites scattered around the countryside. Another, less historic attraction drawing people to holiday in Ile de France, is Disneyland Paris. The fun packed theme park offers holidays and accommodation to suit all ages. Car hire in Ile de France is not essential if mainly touring Paris and its suburbs as the Metro and Trains offer such a great service. If you are looking to tour further a field, however, Ile de France car hire may be a good idea in order to take in some of the great scenery and culture outside the city of Paris.
There are lots of well-known cheeses from Ile de France. Two of the most widely recognised cheeses from Ile de France are Brie and Brie de Meax. Brie is a round soft cheese with white mould and is often described as having a somewhat fruity taste with a hint of mushrooms. The Brie de Meax Ile de France cheese can only be found in certain areas of the province, in close proximity to Paris. Some refer to it as the “king of cheeses” and is widely eaten on Canapés with a wine from Bourgogne such as Saint-Emilion. Wine from Ile de France has been produced for years in the surrounding areas of Paris. After a slump in the market, wines from Ile de France have been enjoying a revival since the 1930’s with over 700 hectares of vineyards stretching throughout the province. There are over 30 types of wines from Ile de France including most famously, Chardonnay, Sauvignon & Pinot Noir.
