places to visit in ile de france

Home » Travel Guides » France » 15 Best Things to Do in Île-de-France

15 Best Things to Do in Île-de-France

If you’re visiting Paris it pays to venture beyond the Boulevard Périphérique and see what you can find around the wider Île-de-France region.

Many of the attractions like the Palace of Versailles and Disneyland Paris will be known to all, but some exciting discoveries may not.

If you can’t get enough of châteaux and formal gardens you could spend days jumping from one stately home to another, while the homes of all sorts of famous French personalities also open their doors to the public.

You may also want to get clear of the hubbub of the Parisian streets for restorative days walking in the countryside, and the good news is you’ll never have to travel far.

Lets have a look at the best things to do in Île-de-France :

1. Palace of Versailles

You’ll have read about it and seen it in movies, but these can’t prepare for the size and splendour of the palace in real life.

The gardens alone took 40 years to complete.

There’s such an array of things to see that it may make your head spin, but whatever you do make sure you get to palace as early as possible to avoid the worst of the queues as it does get very busy.

Among the many musts is the Hall of Mirrors, scene of momentous events like the signing of the Treaty of Versailles and a bold symbol of the economic power wielded by Louis XIV in the 17th-century.

One of the world’s great cities hardly requires an introduction.

Paris shines for its culture, history, shopping, nightlife and landmarks that are etched in everyone’s minds.

A whistle-stop tour means packing in as many of those unmistakeable sights as possible, and has to include the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, the Arc de Triomphe, a walk up through Montmartre to the Sacré-Cœur and a cruise on the Seine.

But that’s just for starters, and if you have a particular interest in French art or history you can give your curiosity free rein at countless museums around the capital.

3. Disneyland Paris, Marne-la-Vallée

This is two  theme parks that are part of the same resort.

The first, Disneyland Park opened in 1992 and is the most popular theme park in Europe, and in the top ten most-visited in the world.

It’s no exaggeration to say there’s something for everyone in the park’s five “Lands”, holding 49 attractions, from the high-speed Space Mountain: Mission 2, to the kid-friendly Alice’s Curious Labyrinth in Fantasyland.

Neighbouring Walt Disney Studios gets almost as many visitors, and brings to life the movie-making process with zones like the “Backlot” where there’s a gripping action show with stunt drivers.

4. Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte, Maincy

There’s a story to go with this extravagant domed palace and gardens that is just as riveting as the architecture.

It was built for Nicolas Fouquet, a precocious young man in Louis XIV’s court, Appointed Superintendent of Finances in the 1640s.

The complex was the work of Louis le Vau, André le Nôtre and Charles le Brun, all later responsible for Versailles.

But Fouquet’s ambition, as epitomised by Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte, inspired the king’s suspicion and he was jailed from 1661 until he died in 1680. Hear about his life via the audio tour as you peruse his home, which was the last word in 17th-century opulence.

Perhaps best of all, there are none of the crowds of Versailles!

5. Château de Courances, Essonne

Set an hour south of Paris by road, this palace has formal gardens that are held among the most beautiful in France.

The mid-17th-century renaissance water features have drawn the admiration of visitors for centuries, with a sequence of long rectangular ponds fed by water from a natural source.

The château and grounds are quite unusual as they’re still privately-owned, but they open up to visitors on the weekends.

It’s impossible not to feel distinguished as you saunter along the boulevards and past the pools, but don’t neglect the Japanese garden laid out by Duchêne and Mme de Ganay, ancestors of the current occupiers in 1930.

6. Domaine de Sceaux

These are the fabulous grounds of the Château de Sceaux, built in the 17th century for Jean-Baptiste Colbert, Louis XIV’s finance minister.

After the revolution the original palace was demolished, but many of the  17th-century structures around the park remain, including the orangery, stables and a stunning pavilion.

The gardens were restored in the mid-19th century when a more modest version of the château was also erected.

Take a leisurely stroll through the parterre, past scrupulously-groomed topiaries and carpet-like lawns.

Those lovely 17th-century outbuildings have housed the Musée d’Ile-de-France since 1973, with exhibitions about the history of Paris and special attention paid to the Parisian art scene in the early-1900s.

7. Le Parc de la Vallée-aux-Loups, Châtenay-Malabry

Sprawling over 60 hectares, the Parc de la Vallée-aux-Loups is a set of parks and gardens on the southern fringe of Paris.

The most photogenic part is the arboretum, which is founded on the nurseries of the Croux family and is replete with exotic species.

Two of the trees in this garden have been awarded the label “Arbre Remarquable de France”, a weeping blue atlas cedar and a myrsine-leaved oak, an extremely rare variety.

You can make an afternoon of it by brining a picnic or calling in at the cafe, or having a look around the romantic writer Chateaubriand’s home here.

8. Basilica Cathedral of Saint-Denis

Saint-Denis may be one of the scruffier parts of outer Paris, but it has an enchanting gothic cathedral where all but three of France’s kings are buried.

This alone makes it a must-see.

You can choose between a two-hour guided tour, guidebook, or handheld audio guide.

Before you go in pause for a moment before the western facade, which was built in 1130 and among the earliest example of gothic architecture in the world.

See the funerary monuments, including the Order of Saint-Louis, dating to 1250, where the tombs of 16 successive kings are in a row to express the connection between their dynasties.

Later the tombs were designed during the monarchs’ lifetimes and become very elaborate, like the renaissance marble sculpture for Louis XII and Anne de Bretagne.

9. Forest of Fontainebleau

For fresh air you could take a day trip south of Paris to this oak and Scots pine forest covering 280 square kilometres.

The forest is so vast that it’s worth popping into the tourist office for trail maps, whether you’re walking or mountain biking.

There are 16 different hiking routes specially laid-out for visitors, all depending on how long you want to walk and what sort of terrain you’d like to tackle.

They’ll lead you to some cool natural monuments like caves and huge boulders that you can climb over.

Pay a visit to Fontainebleau, the town cradled at the heart of the forest, with a UNESCO-listed palace that was a home for monarchs from the 1200s up to Napoleon III in the 19th century.

10. Maison Jean Cocteau, Milly-la-Forêt

The 20th-century French cultural icon settled in this house in 1947 and stayed there until he died in 1963. Jean Cocteau was famed for his large circle of influential friends, and  during this time some of the world’s most celebrated artists were welcomed here as guests, most notably Pablo Picasso and Andy Warhol.

Fans of Cocteau’s work will be absorbed by the sheer wealth of material to sift through, including manuscripts, sketches and film and sound clips as you step through his office, lounge area and bedroom.

Artwork by Picasso, Modigliani and Warhol are on show, and there’s a screening room where you can get an introduction to Cocteau’s acclaimed cinematic works.

11. Musée Albert-Kahn, Boulogne-Billancourt

In this posh suburb just to the west of Paris is a museum where you can delve into the work of the turn-of-the-century banker and philanthropist Albert Kahn.

He is best-known for the “Archives de la Planète” a mammoth archive of 72,000 colour photographs taken around the world between 1909 and 1931. There’s nothing to compare to it anywhere else.

If you’re inspired by anthropology or vintage photography you can kill hours perusing these photos.

But you’d be remiss not to see the park, also designed by Kahn and modelled on locations around the world.

Come on certain days in the summer and you can even take part in a Kyoto-style Japanese tea ceremony in these tranquil gardens.

12. Château de Vincennes

In Paris’ eastern suburbs , close enough to the centre to reach via Metro Line 1, is a vast French royal castle, the only in the area to be completely fortified.

Surprisingly few tourists make it to this landmark, but it’s brimming with history and is a no-nonsense alternative to Versailles.

The castle’s roots go back to the 12th century when it was chosen as a hunting lodge for Louis VII: King of England, Henry V died at Vincennes in  1422 from dysentery, while Louis XIV also lived here in the 17th century while Versailles was being built.

The tour will take an hour, and you have to follow this up with a turn in the grounds, designed in the English country style.

13. Auvers-sur-Oise

You can recount the last days of van Gogh at this village 35 minutes northwest of Paris by train.

The beloved post-impressionist painter was extremely productive in the last 70 days of his life, producing 70 works before he died . As the village is also now within the Vexin Natural Regional park it is a conservation zone and can’t be expanded or altered, and so gives you a good snapshot of life in the late-19th century.

In the summer there’s a daily “In the Steps of van Gogh” tour, pointing out the main landmarks, including scenes that he painted and the Auberge Ravoux where he died in 1890. His grave is next to his brother Theo’s, who passed away six months later.

14. Parc des Félins, Lumigny-Nesles-Ormeaux

This zoo 55 kilometres southeast of Paris is all about feline conservation, and this calls for large enclosures that encourage the park’s cheetahs, lions, lynxes and leopards to reproduce.

For people who want ethical animal treatment it’s a guilt-free attraction, and also one of the most complete overviews of the cat family.

Of the world’s 41 cat species, 30 are kept at Parc des Félins.

The spacious enclosures have a potential downside, in that it can be hard to spot the cats in the undergrowth, but there are carefully-positioned viewing windows that get you a bit closer.

Littler visitors can meet and feed goats at the petting zoo, and there’s a lemur section where these adorable primates roam free and often approach visitors.

15. Château de Malmaison

Set in Rueil-Malmaison, this manor house was Empress Joséphine’s residence, which she bought in 1799 while Napoleon was away for the Egyptian Campaign.

She remained here after her divorce with Napoleon until her death in 1814. It’s a large château and needed a lot of restoration when it was purchased, and Napoleon hadn’t been pleased with the expense! The French government was based at Malmaison and the Tuileries at the start of the 19th century, and it’s now a museum dedicated to Napoleon, with loads of intriguing objects belonging to him and especially Joséphine, like her porcelain dining service and opulently furnished chambers.

15 Best Things to Do in Île-de-France:

• Palace of Versailles
• Disneyland Paris, Marne-la-Vallée
• Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte, Maincy
• Château de Courances, Essonne
• Domaine de Sceaux
• Le Parc de la Vallée-aux-Loups, Châtenay-Malabry
• Basilica Cathedral of Saint-Denis
• Forest of Fontainebleau
• Maison Jean Cocteau, Milly-la-Forêt
• Musée Albert-Kahn, Boulogne-Billancourt
• Château de Vincennes
• Auvers-sur-Oise
• Parc des Félins, Lumigny-Nesles-Ormeaux
• Château de Malmaison

Best Things to Do in Ile-de-France

Article written by Elisa This article may contain compensated links. Please read disclaimer for more info.

Île-de-France , in Northern France , is the cultural and political heart of France and it offers a unique backdrop for any trip to Paris, with countless historical monuments, magnificent châteaux, picturesque villages, and beautiful countryside.

The region around the French capital, the most populated region in France, is divided into 8 departments: Paris, Essonne, Hauts-de-Seine, Seine-Saint-Denis, Seine-et-Marne, Val-de-Marne, Val-d’Oise, and Yvelines . Its inhabitants are called francilians.

Immerse yourself in history in Paris and in other incredible museums nearby such as the Archaeological Museum of Saint Germain-en-Laye or the Great War Museum in Meaux.

However, Ile-de-France is also and above all a vast countryside, with the Fontainebleau forest, the Vexin natural park, the Haute-Vallée de Chevreuse, and the bucolic banks of the Marne Rivers and Oise.

Île-de-France is diverse, and that’s good! Below, the list of best things to do in Ile-de-France to get a glimpse of its history, culture, and natural wonders.

Related posts

>> Explore Ile-de-France by car

>> Explore Ile-de-France by train

Paris, the Capital

For many travelers, Paris will be France’s front door and the first contact with the country. And there’s so much to see and do in Paris that some people don’t want to go further!

First of all, Paris is history and art . It is Lutetia, the Gallo-Roman city but also the medieval city of the French Kings, Napoleon III’s new Athens, or the baron Haussmann’s modern city.

Paris is also a moveable feast . From the roaring twenties to our days, it is difficult to get bored in a city with such a wide program of festivals, exhibitions and shows all year round.

Take the time to discover Paris as it is today – bourgeois to the west and popular to the east – and explore also its main sights. The Ile de la Cité, the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower, the Invalides, the Tuileries Gardens, the Arc de Triomphe, the Sacré-Coeur on the Butte Montmartre … but also the lesser-known districts of Paris.

>> Click here to plan your first trip to Paris

Versailles Palace and Gardens

Versailles is one of the world’s most famous palaces and a jewel of French Baroque architecture. Its beauty and its proximity to the French capital make of Versailles the most popular day trip from Paris.

King Louis XIV and his successors turned a modest hunting lodge into a seat of their power. With the Gardens, the Palaces of Trianon, and the Queen’s Hamlet, the Versailles Estate spreads over 800 hectares.

Don’t miss the Gardens of Versailles . Designed by the landscape designer André Le Notre, they feature 200.000 trees, beautiful classic sculptures and water features of all kinds. After the visit to the Palace, the area around the Grand Canal is perfect for a picnic on the grass.

Check out this Versailles Quick Guide to get the most out of this top sight near Paris.

Disneyland Paris

Disneyland Paris is a magic world, rich in fantasy and full of adventure where more than one would like to get lost right now.

Disneyland Paris is home to two theme parks— Disneyland Park and Walt Disney Studios Park —as well as multiple hotels, entertainment offerings, and restaurants. The theme parks contain more than 50 great attractions for all ages, and adults without kids can also spend a wonderful day at Euro Disney.

Disneyland Paris’ entertainment options are delightful, even if you don’t speak the language. Disneyland Park’s evening fireworks show is just extraordinary.

The good news is that Disneyland Paris is located at less than 40 kilometers from Paris, so it is possible to visit on a day trip from the French capital by car or public transportation. If you have the time, however, spend a night in one of the wonderful Disney hotels, located at a walking distance to the parks, for a full Disney experience.

>> Click here to book your Disney hotel

Provins, Medieval Town

Provins is one of the most beautiful medieval towns near Paris, well known for its half-timbered houses, well-preserved city walls, and other interesting medieval buildings.

Provins was the capital of the powerful Counts of Champagne. Thanks to its strategic location and the counts’ protection, the town became one of the most important international trade fairs in Europe during the 11th and 13th centuries. Still today, Provins hosts the best medieval fair in Europe ( Les Médiévales de Provins ), a fair where all the inhabitants participate with their medieval costumes and that we recommend visiting if you are around in June.

Finally, don’t miss Provins’ underground city ( Les Souterrains de Provins ), a vast network of underground tunnels and passages from the 13th century that connected the houses of medieval Provins.

Castles Near Paris

Visitors to the French capital don’t need to go far to find a bit of royalness, since there are several castles near Paris that make great day trips.

From medieval ruins to royal palaces or hunting castles for the French Kings and the nobility, these châteaux near Paris come in a variety of styles and repair.

Some of these castles are also considered the best châteaux in France for their architecture or decor whilst other castles are less impressive but with an incredible history behind. The one thing they have in common is that they’re all awesome places to see.

Click here for the list of best castles near Paris

Forest of Fontainebleau

The forest of Fontainebleau is one of the most beautiful natural places in Ile-de-France, covering a surface equivalent to 2.5 times Paris. Fontainebleau was in the past the Kings’ favorite spot for hunting and they used to spend long periods in Château de Fontainebleau, especially during the hunting season.

Today, the forest of Fontainebleau is the hikers’ paradise in Ile-de-France, with more than 500 km of marked trails. The 25 Bosses Trail is the most famous hiking trail in Fontainebleau, a difficult up and down – up and down hike with amazing viewpoints everywhere. This hike usually takes 6-7 hours and good physical condition are necessary.

A more relaxing way to explore this wonderful forest is on a hot air balloon, Fontainebleau looks even more impressive from the sky! Click here to see some beautiful shots of Fontainebleau from above.

Basilica of Saint-Denis

The Basilica of Saint-Denis is one of the most important religious buildings in Ile-de-France, the kind of place you have to visit at least once in your life.

Basilica of Saint-Denis was built at the exact spot where Saint-Denis, the saint patron of Paris and France, was buried. Since the 7th century, Basilica of Saint-Denis is the burial place of most of the Kings of France, who chose to rest eternally near the remains of the saint.

The Basilica of Saint-Denis is also the first gothic cathedral . During the 12th century, under the rule of Abbot Suger, the church went through extensive reconstruction works using new techniques such as the pointed arch and pointed ribbed vault and the play of light through stained glass windows.

The Basilica of Saint-Denis is located in the Parisian suburbs and it can be reached by metro on a half-day trip from Paris.

Small Towns Near Paris

There are many picturesque towns near Paris worth visiting, perfect to get out in the fresh air and see a different side of France. Most of these towns around Paris make excellent day trips from Paris by train.

Some of these towns like Auvers-sur-Oise or Bougival inspired the Impressionists and other great painters for their most famous paintings whilst other towns are just so pretty that they don’t need any other excuse to visit.

Where to go to explore a bit of the countryside around the French capital? Click here for the most beautiful small towns around Paris.

The Vallée-aux-Loups

The Vallée-aux-Loups is a beautiful natural area located in Châtenay-Malabry, in Hauts-de-Seine, and it is an easy day trip from Paris by train (RER B).

The Valley’s Arboretum includes a unique collection of hundreds of different trees and shrubs and it is listed in the national inventory of artistic, historic, scientific, legendary, and picturesque sites.

Amongst all the beautiful trees, the weeping blue cedar is the most exceptional. This blue cedar boasts 680 m² of antlers and it is classified as a remarkable tree at the national level.

When visiting the Vallée-aux-Loups, don’t miss the Domaine of Chateaubriand , with the writer’s beautiful house and surrounding park. Chateaubriand lived in this house with his wife until 1818 and it was the place where he wrote some of his major works.

If Combourg is where Chateaubriand claims to have become what he is, the Vallée-aux-Loups is another emblematic place linked to the memory of the writer. Actually, it was Chateaubriand who named this valley Vallée-aux-Loups (Valley of Wolves).

Parc de Sceaux

Le Domaine Départemental de Sceaux is a classic garden “à la française” built in the 17th century for Colbert, Minister of Finances under the rule of King Louis XIV. The Sceaux Estate is located 5km southwest of Paris, between the communes of Sceaux and Antony.

The magnificent garden designed by the famous landscape designer André le Notre is today a big urban parc, space for beautiful walks, picnics on the grass, games, and celebrations. Just like Versailles, it boasts a canal more than 1km long, but also an octagonal pond and other water features.

Parc de Sceaux is famous for its cherry trees, the most beautiful cherry blossoms in all Ile-de-France. But this is a park worth visiting all year round, to see how it changes with the seasons.

Apart from the natural spaces, you may want to visit the 19th-century Château-Museum , which features a collection of paintings, furniture, and other objects illustrating the history of the château and its owners. Around the Château, visitors can also see the stables, an Orangerie, and a couple of temples.

Food in Ile-de-France

Paris boasts nearly 70 Michelin-starred restaurants but it is also a pleasure to have some of the French classics in typical (and more modest) Parisian brasseries or bistros.

The Ile-de-France region produces a vast number of gourmet products: Houdan poultry, lamb from Ile-de-France, as well as Parisian mushrooms and cress from Méréville.

The local cheeses are Brie from Meaux, Melun or Coulommiers and some vineyards near Meaux are also allowed to produce champagne. On weekends, after the harvest, locals love to wander around and fill up their stocks at the small wine and champagne producers.

Finally, you may want to try some yummy desserts, such as the Paris-Brest, chouquettes, or Saint-Honoré. The cherries from Montmorency are also a must of Ile-de-France.

PRACTICAL INFO & OUR FAVORITES | PARIS & ILE-DE-FRANCE

Best time to Visit Paris & Ile-de-France, France

There is no best season to visit Paris and Ile-de-France, each season has its own charm.

If budget is your main concern, choose the low season, from December (except Christmas holidays) to March.

Shoulder seasons mean a more local feeling and lesser crowds but temperatures can be fresh, with some days of rain.

If you want to be sure to have sunny days and blue skies, then visit the region in the late spring or in the summer. Summer is also the peak season in Paris so book everything well in advance.

Traveling to Paris & Ile-de-France

Paris has two main airports, Paris Charles-de-Gaulle (CDG) and Paris Orly (ORY) located more or less at the same distance from Paris. In general, intercontinental flights land to Charles de Gaulle whilst Orly is mainly used for domestic flights and flights from /to southern Europe.

>> Click here to book your flight tickets to Paris

Paris has six large terminus railway stations. Each station serves both an area of the suburbs and is a starting point for main lines to other regions of France and abroad.  Paris Gare du Nord is often considered the first train station in Europe and the third in the world in terms of passengers’ frequentation.

>> Click here to book your train tickets to Paris

Where to stay in Ile-de-France?

Paris is the best place to stay in Ile-de-France. From there, you can explore the rest of the region on day trips by train or guided tours.

>> Here’s a selection of wonderful hotels in Paris

What to do in Ile-de-France?

• City sightseeing, historical sightseeing
• Hiking, cycling, rock climbing, sailing
• Romantic, Cultural and gastronomy getaways

Useful Links

• Book your train tickets to Paris
• Global wi-fi – stay connected on the go with Skyroam

We hope that you enjoyed the main places to visit in Ile-de-France. If you want to learn about other regions head to this article on the Regions of France , where we have summarized the highlights of each region.

Click here to Explore France by Region

Back to Homepage

Pin it now & read it later

Disclaimer: This article may contain compensated links, meaning we get a small commission if you make a purchase through our links. It costs you nothing more (in fact, if anything, you’ll get a nice discount) but helps us to go on creating incredible French content for you. We trust all products and brands promoted here and would never recommend anything that isn’t of value. Please read disclaimer for more info.

(C) Copyright 2019 - 2024 France Bucket List. All Rights Reserved. Designed & Developed by France Bucket List || Disclaimer || Privacy Policy || Contact |

Krzysztof Dydynski

Île-de-France

The Île-de-France région – the 12,000 sq km ‘Island of France’ shaped by five rivers that encircles the French capital – contains splendid architecture including some of the most monumental châteaux in the country, set amid magnificent gardens.

Attractions

Must-see attractions.

Cathédrale Notre Dame

One of Western civilisation’s crowning architectural achievements, the 130m-long Cathédrale Notre Dame de Chartres is renowned for its brilliant-blue…

Château de Versailles

Amid magnificently landscaped formal gardens, this splendid and enormous palace was built in the mid-17th century during the reign of Louis XIV – the Roi…

Château de Fontainebleau

Fontainebleau

The resplendent, 1900-room Château de Fontainebleau’s list of former tenants and guests reads like a who’s who of French royalty and aristocracy. Every…

Disneyland Resort Paris

Basic one-day admission fees at Disneyland Resort Paris include unlimited access to attractions in either Disneyland Park or Walt Disney Studios Park. A…

Château de Versailles Gardens & Park

The section of the vast gardens nearest the palace, laid out between 1661 and 1700 in the formal French style, is famed for its geometrically aligned…

Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte

The privately owned Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte and its fabulous formal gardens, 20km north of Fontainebleau and 61km southeast of Paris, were designed and…

Château de Chantilly

A storybook vision amid an artificial lake and magnificent gardens, the Château de Chantilly contains a superb collection of paintings within the Musée…

Château de Fontainebleau Gardens & Park

On the northern side of the Château de Fontainebleau is the formal Jardin de Diane, created by Catherine de Médicis. Le Nôtre’s formal, 17th-century…

Plan with a local

Experience the real France

Let a local expert craft your dream trip.

Latest stories from Île-de-France

Filter by interest:

• All Interests
• Adventure Travel
• Art & Culture
• Beaches, Coasts & Islands
• Food & Drink

Sep 19, 2018 • 1 min read

If home is sweet, then a house built entirely out of chocolate would be sweeter, if not the sweetest! And you can test this theory for yourself by booking…

Île-de-France and beyond

Guide of Ile-de-France

Tourism, holidays & weekends in ile-de-france.

Steeped in exceptional heritage, the Île-de-France region, the historic heart of the country and the world's number one tourist destination, is first and foremost associated with Paris, the capital of France and a prestigious world-famous city. As the top tourist destination in Île -de-France, the famous City of Lights is full of beautiful sights, with several centuries' worth of unusual architecture, an abundance of culture venues and museums such as the Louvre, the Orsay Museum , the Centre Pompidou , the Cluny Museum , the Picasso Museum or the Quai Branly Museum , and must-see monuments like the Eiffel Tower , Notre-Dame de Paris, the Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Montmartre and the Arc de Triomphe .

However, the Île-de-France region has many other treasures like its superb castles, old abbeys, royal towns, parks and romantic gardens, forests and lakes that are ideal for leisure activities. Among the flagship destinations around Paris, visitors should make sure their itinerary includes major sites like the immense Versailles Castle and its magnificent gardens, the Saint-Denis Basilica , necropolis of the Kings of France, the sumptuous castle of Vaux-le-Vicomte and its park designed by Le Nôtre, the medieval city of Provins with its impressive ramparts, Fontainebleau Castle, a gem of French art, the charming and romantic Royaumont Abbey , the royal town of Saint-Germain-en-Laye , Courances Castle and its marvellous Renaissance water garden, or the Impressionist village of Auvers-sur-Oise . When it comes to entertainment, children and adults alike are sure to love attractions like Disneyland Paris , France Miniature and Thoiry Park .

With its famous monuments, its sumptuous buildings, its prestigious museums, its numerous districts and vast range of leisure activities and opportunities for having fun, the city of Paris really caters fully for everyone.

Located west of Paris, the département of the Hauts-de-Seine is well-known for its La Défense business district, with its modern towers and its immense arch, the Grande Arche.

The Gothic basilica of Saint-Denis, cemetery of the kings of France, and the famous flea market of Saint-Ouen are among the essential places to visit of the département of Seine-Saint-Denis.

In the Val-de-Marne, the visitors will be able to discover the Vincennes royal castle, the Rungis market, as well as the charming rose garden of Val-de-Marne in L'Haÿ-les-Roses.

The Essonne combines history and modernism with its beautiful castles and gardens on the one hand, and the presence of its new businesses on the other hand.

As the biggest département of Ile-de-France, the Seine-et-Marne is renowned for its cheese the Brie de Meaux, but also for its castles such as Fontainebleau for example, and its famous theme park Disneyland Paris.

The Val-d'Oise offers a number of places of interest to discover, ranging from the varied landscapes of the Vexin Français Regional Nature Park to the Royaumont abbey, through the picturesque village of Auvers-sur-Oise.

Boasting numerous green spaces, the Yvelines is famous for its magnificent Palace of Versailles, but also for its royal cities, which are Saint-Germain-en-Laye, Rambouillet, Versailles, Mantes-la-Jolie, Marly-le-Roi and Poissy.

Weekends in Ile-de-France

• Route planner

Ile-de-France

The Top 20 Attractions in Ile-de-France

Plan. Save. Navigate. Your best adventures await.

Start today with a free komoot account.

html.ReactModal__Html--open{overflow:hidden;}html.ReactModal__Html--open:not(.fullsize){scrollbar-gutter:stable;}html.ReactModal__Html--open.ReactModal__Html--panel #pageMountNode:before{content:'';position:fixed;width:100%;height:100%;} .css-ed6ikv{-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;background-color:rgba(0,0,0,0.05);border-radius:9999em;color:var(--theme-ui-colors-card);display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;height:1lh;-webkit-box-pack:center;-ms-flex-pack:center;-webkit-justify-content:center;justify-content:center;margin-right:0.25rem;margin-top:-0.15lh;max-height:1.5rem;max-width:1.5rem;text-align:center;width:1lh;border:1px solid transparent;font-size:inherit;font-weight:700;vertical-align:middle;} .css-zry474{color:var(--theme-ui-colors-whisper);height:0.75rem;width:0.75rem;} Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral

Hiking Highlight

You may not see the Hunchback of Notre Dame, but this ancient building is impressive on its own. The Gothic church was built between 1163 and 1345. It is located … read more

html.ReactModal__Html--open{overflow:hidden;}html.ReactModal__Html--open:not(.fullsize){scrollbar-gutter:stable;}html.ReactModal__Html--open.ReactModal__Html--panel #pageMountNode:before{content:'';position:fixed;width:100%;height:100%;} Vincennes Castle

Cycling Highlight

Located at the gates of Paris, the Château de Vincennes is an essential place in the history of France. Its keep of almost 50 meters makes it one of the … read more

Sign Up To Discover Places Like This

Get recommendations on the best single tracks, peaks, & plenty of other exciting outdoor places.

html.ReactModal__Html--open{overflow:hidden;}html.ReactModal__Html--open:not(.fullsize){scrollbar-gutter:stable;}html.ReactModal__Html--open.ReactModal__Html--panel #pageMountNode:before{content:'';position:fixed;width:100%;height:100%;} Basilique du Sacré-Cœur

Entry to the basilica is free. However, access to the bell tower is subject to a fee. Special features of the basilica: 1. Ceiling mosaic above the altar 2. The … read more

html.ReactModal__Html--open{overflow:hidden;}html.ReactModal__Html--open:not(.fullsize){scrollbar-gutter:stable;}html.ReactModal__Html--open.ReactModal__Html--panel #pageMountNode:before{content:'';position:fixed;width:100%;height:100%;} Arc de Triomphe

An exclusive view over the Champs Elysées, one of the most beautiful avenues in the world. In 1806, Napoleon I ordered the construction of the Arc de Triomphe in honor … read more

html.ReactModal__Html--open{overflow:hidden;}html.ReactModal__Html--open:not(.fullsize){scrollbar-gutter:stable;}html.ReactModal__Html--open.ReactModal__Html--panel #pageMountNode:before{content:'';position:fixed;width:100%;height:100%;} Pont de la Concorde

The Pont de la Concorde is a bridge over the Seine in Paris, France. It connects the Place de la Concorde and the Quai des Tuileries with the Quai d'Orsay … read more

html.ReactModal__Html--open{overflow:hidden;}html.ReactModal__Html--open:not(.fullsize){scrollbar-gutter:stable;}html.ReactModal__Html--open.ReactModal__Html--panel #pageMountNode:before{content:'';position:fixed;width:100%;height:100%;} Arc de triomphe du Carrousel

You shouldn't confuse this triumphal arch with the Arc de Triomphe d'Etoile, which is twice as big and is located at the other end of the Champs Elysée. The quadriga … read more

html.ReactModal__Html--open{overflow:hidden;}html.ReactModal__Html--open:not(.fullsize){scrollbar-gutter:stable;}html.ReactModal__Html--open.ReactModal__Html--panel #pageMountNode:before{content:'';position:fixed;width:100%;height:100%;} Palace of Versailles

Residence of the kings of France, the Château de Versailles is one of the most illustrious monuments of French heritage. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it was built … read more

html.ReactModal__Html--open{overflow:hidden;}html.ReactModal__Html--open:not(.fullsize){scrollbar-gutter:stable;}html.ReactModal__Html--open.ReactModal__Html--panel #pageMountNode:before{content:'';position:fixed;width:100%;height:100%;} Château de Sceaux

Built in the middle of the 19th century, the castle is located in a vast park. There is the museum of the Domaine Départemental de Sceaux. Created in 1973, it … read more

html.ReactModal__Html--open{overflow:hidden;}html.ReactModal__Html--open:not(.fullsize){scrollbar-gutter:stable;}html.ReactModal__Html--open.ReactModal__Html--panel #pageMountNode:before{content:'';position:fixed;width:100%;height:100%;} Pont Neuf

Pont Neuf – one of the most romantic bridges in Paris. Constructed in 1578 under Henri IV, the bridge is thought to be the oldest stone bridges in the city. … read more

Popular around Ile-de-France

Explore the most popular Tours in Ile-de-France

Running Trails in Ile-de-France

Road Cycling Routes in Ile-de-France

Cycling in Ile-de-France

Hiking in Ile-de-France

Easy hikes in Ile-de-France

MTB Trails in Ile-de-France

Gravel biking in Ile-de-France

Waterfall hikes in Ile-de-France

Mountain Hikes in Ile-de-France

Discover the most popular attractions in Ile-de-France

Castles in Ile-de-France

Lakes in Ile-de-France

Natural Monuments in Ile-de-France

Are you keen on exploring more awesome places nearby? Browse our guides:

• Nogent-Sur-Marne
• L'Haÿ-Les-Roses
• Val-de-Marne
• Boulogne-Billancourt
• Saint-Denis
• Seine-Saint-Denis
• Seine-et-Marne
• Val-d'Oise
• Fontainebleau
• Saint-Germain-En-Laye
• Rambouillet
• Hauts-de-Seine
• Mantes-La-Jolie

Still not found the Highlight you’re looking for? See guides of the top attractions in other regions:

• Auvergne Rhône Alpes
• Hauts-De-France
• Northern France
• Provence-Alpes-Côte D'Azur
• Parc national des Calanques (cœur)
• Centre-Loire Valley
• New Aquitaine
• Côtes-d'Armor
• Bourgogne-Franche-Comté
• Charente-Maritime
• Pays de la Loire
• Baie Du Mont Saint Michel
• Saint-Florent
• Aire D'Adhésion Du Parc National De Guadeloupe
• Réserve Naturelle de Moëze-Oléron
• Réserve naturelle de l'estuaire de la Seine
• Réserve naturelle de la baie de Somme
• Arikok National Park
• Réserve naturelle de la baie de l'Aiguillon

10 of France’s busiest tourism hotspots – and where to go instead

France attracts more foreign visitors than any other country, so it’s little wonder that visiting the most popular sites can feel like the M25 in rush hour (granted, we’d rather be playing sardines looking at Mont-Saint-Michel than a roadside Little Chef). 

In 2023, faced with overtourism, overcrowding and threats to biodiversity at France’s best-loved sites, tourism minister Olivia Gregoire unveiled a plan to encourage visitors to broaden their horizons . Statistics showed that 80 percent of visitors to France frequent just 20 per cent of the country, flocking to the places they’ve seen in TV shows or on their Instagram feeds (Étretat, a village with a population of 1,200, sees over 10,000 visitors a day in peak season after being used as the backdrop for Netflix’s Lupin ). 

While the Olympics didn’t attract the mass tourism expected (in fact, Paris felt quieter than usual and just three million visitors came from abroad for the Games), France is still set to break all its previous records with tourist numbers this year. By March , already more foreign visitors had arrived than in pre-Covid years. But how many of them go skiing in the Auvergne, or swap Versailles for the former palace of Mallorcan royalty?

 Here’s the lowdown on where’s worth the crowds, and where to go to beat the tripod-waving traffic.

1. The cliffs of Étretat

Étretat was being broadcast to the masses long before appearing in Lupin , and Claude Monet painted the cliffs and sea arches more than 90 times during the 1880s. Now, more than 10,000 tourists descend upon this Normandy town each day in peak season.

The chalky Alabaster cliffs are spectacular, and it’s not hard to see why Monet was captivated, but Étretat loses points for the town, a hellhole of tourist tatt with nigh impossible parking. If you can visit before the day trippers arrive (evacuate before 10am), shreds of the magic and tranquillity Monet must have experienced remain. 

Worth-a-visit rating: 6/10

Swap it for: Brittany’s Crozon Peninsula has impressive sea arches made from sandstone, with a fraction of the crowds. 

2. Versailles

Versailles welcomes around 15 million people each year to marvel at the 2,300-room palace built by the Sun King Louis XIV, with tens of thousands visiting on peak days. The entry queue is arduous – at least an hour if you haven’t pre-booked online – and there’s a further hour for security even if you have booked. However, Versailles is well managed and timed entry slots help to control the flow of people. Beware the overcrowded tea rooms, where you’ll feel as though you’re “eating cake” with half of Paris .

Worth-a-visit rating: 8/10

Swap it for: France was once composed of different duchies, each with their own dukes. In the 13th century, Perpignan was the mainland seat of the Kings of Mallorca, and Le Palais des Rois de Majorque still has original wall paintings from the time. Sure, there’s a lot less gold than in Versailles, but it’s a fascinating slice of little-known history.

3. The Louvre

The most famous art gallery in the world, The Louvre caps visitors at 30,000 per day, many of whom make a beeline for the gallery’s most famous exhibit: the enigmatic Mona Lisa. Even if you could get up close, the Mona Lisa is surprisingly small, but over the heads of the throngs, she appears little bigger than a postage stamp. Of course, with over 35,000 works of art, the Louvre is about much more than this single portrait, but the queue, crowds and sheer scale of the place feel overwhelming. Plus, following pre-Olympics price hikes, the entrance ticket will set you back €22.

Swap it: Fine arts museum Le Petit Palais is a much more manageable size and is worth a visit for the sweeping spiral staircase and painted ceiling alone – and it’s free. Plan a visit with our Paris travel guide .

4. Mont-Saint-Michel

Tidal island monastery Mont-Saint-Michel appears on records as early as the 8th century, and has been home to Benedictine monks since the 10th. It’s arguably the most famous site in France, and attracts up to 15,000 visitors per day. Yes, it’s crowded. Yes, you’ll likely see influencers in impractically high heels prancing on the cobbled causeway at low tide. Yes, an ice cream on the island costs more than your rent. But few places combine more than a millennium’s worth of living history with natural surroundings so spectacular.

Worth-a-visit rating: 9/10

Swap it: Abbaye de Lérins , on Île Saint-Honorat near Cannes , is home to 21 monks and was founded in the 5th century AD. The tropical gardens are reminiscent of Tresco, there’s an eight-hectare vineyard, and the boat trip over is magical. Plan a visit with our Cannes travel guide .

5. Biarritz

Glitzy Biarritz had an unlikely rise to fame. Although the seafront is pretty built up and the town filled with designer boutiques, this was France’s original surf bum hangout. In 1956, keen surfer and Californian film producer Richard Zanuck arrived to film The Sun Rises , based on Hemingway’s novel. He hit the water, and a surf culture was born. You’ll pay through the nose to stay in Biarritz itself, and it’s now so popular with surfers of all abilities that you risk a plethora of people dropping in on your wave.

Worth-a-visit rating: 5/10

Swap it: Hendaye , straddling the Spanish border, is a great surfing spot for beginners, with a long, sandy beach. Much of the architecture is quintessentially Basque (white, wooden houses with brightly coloured shutters and balconies), and there’s a pleasing absence of high-rise buildings.

If Monet had lived in the Instagram age, Giverny would have succumbed to mass tourism in the 19th century, along with Étretat. Monet’s garden, immortalised in his most famous painting Water Lilies , is one of the most popular day trips from Paris, and welcomes around 400,000 visitors annually. Giverny is pretty and the entry fee reasonable, but the crowds detract from the experience in what is a comparatively small space (one hectare of flower gardens).

Worth-a-visit rating: 4 /10

Swap it: Lyon’s botanical garden is eight hectares, with 15,000 plant species, a rose garden and an alpine garden. Entry is free. Plan a visit with our Lyon travel guide.

7. Val d’Isère

France’s most popular ski resort sees around four million visitors descend on the slopes during the winter season. The cost of a ski pass rises each year and is currently at  €71 per day, meaning a family trip rapidly mounts up. Skiing in Val d’Isère is fantastic, but it can quickly blow your holiday budget for the whole year. France has plenty of less frequented ski resorts.

Worth-a-visit rating: 7/10

Swap it: The highest peak at Le Lioran in the Auvergne may sit at only 1,855m, but the resort still enjoyed a decent run last winter, staying open from late-December to late-March, although snowfall was extremely low in February. There are 44 pistes (five black, 15 red, 14 blue and 10 green) and a day pass costs just €39.30, almost half that of Val d’Isère, making it great for families on a budget.

8. Lake Annecy

It may be France’s cleanest lake, but in the summer months the narrow streets and canals of Annecy town become a sweaty throng of slow-moving bodies, grizzling children and stag groups. Annecy’s saving grace is its size, and you can quickly escape the crowds by heading to one of the other lakeside communes (Doussard, Talloires-Montmin or Menthon-Saint-Bernard) rather than staying in Annecy town. Here, it’s peaceful enough to enjoy the reflections of surrounding mountains on the glacial water.

Swap it: Lac du Bourget, just 35 km from Annecy, is almost twice the size and much less touristy. A plot to pitch a small tent can cost as little as €10. 

9. The Calanques of Cassis

Rocky limestone inlets formed from compressed fishbones over millions of years, the Calanques of Cassis stretch for 20 km along the coast between Cassis, a former fishing town and France’s second city, Marseille . A protected area, in 2022 they reduced visitor numbers to the most popular calanques to 400 per day in high season. Commentators on board glass-bottomed tour boats may pierce the silence of swims through the inlets, but the Calanques are nonetheless spectacular. Hire a kayak to explore the smaller bays, and skip Instagram favourite Calanque d’En-vau, which draws the biggest crowds.

Worth-a-visit rating: 10/10

Swap it: They’re not exactly under-the-radar, but Corsica’s Calanques of Piana , formed from red granite and dotted with 17th century Genoese towers, are extremely striking. Due to their inaccessibility, it rarely gets too busy. 

10. Chartres

Around 1.5 million people visit Notre-Dame de Chartres each year, and the excess of visitors has taken its toll. The 13th-century cathedral is undergoing extensive repair work inside and out, due to finish in the summer of 2025, at the earliest. Many visitors are attracted by the elaborate stained glass windows, but while they’re undoubtedly impressive and well-preserved, this cathedral isn’t the only example of beautiful Gothic architecture and stained glass in France. At the end of the day, it’s a cathedral, and there are more cathedrals in France than there were Louis’ in their royal family.

Worth-a-visit rating: 4/10

Swap it: La Cathédrale de la Major , Marseille, is pinstriped like green and yellow pyjamas, and was the only cathedral to be built in France during the 19th century. Inside, it’s a mesmerising mix of gold, marble and painted ceilings. Plan a visit with our Marseille travel guide .

This article was first published in June 2023, and has been revised and updated.

Advertisment

Provided by

Escorted tours to France

France | Europe

From the lavender fields of Provence to the French Riviera, and from iconic Paris to the wines of Bordeaux, France has something for everyone.

Sign up to the Front Page newsletter for free: Your essential guide to the day's agenda from The Telegraph - direct to your inbox seven days a week.

I've been to France over a dozen times. Skip Paris and check out these 5 must-visit cities instead.

• Over the past few years, I've been to France 14 times.
• Although Paris is amazing, there are lots of other cities in France that are worth visiting.
• A few of my favorite cities include Lyon, Bordeaux, and Marseille.

Over the past couple of years, I've fallen in love with France and all it has to offer.

I live just a four-hour train or ferry ride from France, so I've been able to visit the country 14 times so far.

Although Paris has a lot to offer — the French capital was named one of the top cities for international travelers in 2023 — the country has other wonderful cities worth visiting.

Here are five of my top recommendations.

Lyon is home to roughly 400 underground passageways known as traboules.

A piece of my heart definitely belongs to Lyon. There's so much to love about the city, from beautiful winding streets and mouthwatering food to the lively nightlife scene .

I also found the people there to be very friendly. When I traveled to Lyon with my best friend, we found lots of the locals we interacted with were happy to share tips and ask us how our day was going.

There's also so much to do in the city. I recommend exploring the traboules, a massive network of hidden passageways that have been around for many years.

The historic tunnels and stairwells played a role in France's silk trade and World War II — and about 50 of the roughly 400 passageways in Lyon are still open to the public.

Bordeaux has a great food and wine scene.

In my experience, Bordeaux has some of the best food and red wine in France. Since I was there for a few days, I had time to venture into the Bordeaux wine region and go on a vineyard tour at the stunning Château Pape Clément.

I also recommend making time to visit a market like the Marché des Capucins, where I joined locals to sample fresh food and wine.

Nice offered a great balance of relaxation, history, and culture.

France's opulent southeastern coastal city didn't disappoint, giving my friend and me a great balance of relaxation, history, and culture.

Apart from one or two very touristy spots (beach clubs, we're looking at you), we found that the nightlife was still generally cheaper than going out back home in the UK.

Over five days, we visited four different beaches, which were easy to reach by train. We also took a trip up the mountain to the stunning medieval village of Èze, which was one of the most picturesque places I've ever been.

In the evenings, we enjoyed delicious food, headed to bars, and drank wine on the beach after the sun went down.

Marseille is a lively port city.

A stunning port city, Marseille is known for its artistic influences and seafood-focused cuisine. Head there to enjoy traditional French dishes like bouillabaisse (a hearty seafood soup), the beautiful beaches, and the nightlife.

When I visited with family, I fell in love with Marseille's old town in particular. The city is very walkable and I'd recommend wandering the streets, stopping off occasionally for delicious food and drinks.

Rouen is full of beautiful architecture.

Normandy's capital, Rouen, has some of the most beautiful architecture I've ever seen.

Located about two hours outside Paris, this city has impressive historical buildings, delicious foodie spots, and great shopping.

Of course, no trip to Rouen would be complete without a visit to the Joan of Arc museum. Whether you know much about her or not, the museum's interactive nature made it one of the most fascinating I've ever been to.

• Main content