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Description
| Cuisine | Places
of Interest
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Major
Cities: Orleans, Evry,Versailles, Pontoise, Merlun,
Chantilly,St.-Germain-en-Laye
Major Sites: Disneyland,
Vaux-le-Vicomte, Fontainebleau, chateaux
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This area, reached easily from
Paris, is one where Henri lived as a child and where we have several
manor houses and hotels within every budget for those who prefer to
stay outside the City of Light.
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| Every, to the west of Paris, is an
example of the spirit of its people who have been destroyed from
Viking times to W.W.II Luftawaff devastation. Archaeology, medieval art, green
countryside's, kingly palaces all dominate this area of Kings.
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Chartres Cathedral |
Description
Since the
days of Clovis the Ile De France has been the residence of the Kings
of France be they English, Norman or French. From the orchard lands
beyond the industrial parts of Paris. to the limestone plains by the
Oise and Seine rivers, history is bound within the magnificent
forests surrounding historic gardens and buildings.
While the
Ile de France composes only 2.2% for the land area of France, over
18% of the population lives here. Architecture from
Romanesque to Classical is seen among the considerable number of
priory, convents and abbeys, many of which may be visited.
Camille Corot a
native of Barbiozon painted throughout Ile-de-France. He inspired a
group or fellow artist who lived on in Daubigny and Dupre. His
influence later extended to the Impressionists, who often spent
their early artistic life painting this region.
Let
us help you visit this region of France.
Cuisine
The people of the region like to live well
and enjoy their food which offers savory dishes often highlighted by
vegetables and soups. Many duck, eel, and fish pates are local
favorites, along with seafood cooked in cream. The "ficelle
picarde," a ham pancake in a creamy mushroom sauce is a
highlight of Sunday evening meals. The Flemish influence is seen in
the beers that accompany stews of rabbit, veal, port and mutton.
Places
of Interest
Versailles, is worth at least a two day
visit just to get aquatinted with the grounds, history and exterior,
let alone the Palace.
One must also travel to Rombouillet to visit
the ideal combination of Chateau, park and forest. Best seen in fall
and spring, as it is the official summer home of the President of
the Republic.
The Cathedral at St-Denis whose roots began
in the 4th Century is the resting place of 12 centuries of French
Kings. In the 17th-18th Century it fell into bad times
and was rebuilt in the 19th. A historic tour of the church is among
the highlights of a historic visit to France.
St. Germain-en-Laye its chateau, lovely
residential districts and the forest is the home of both the rebuilt
palace and the National Museum of Antiquities. One should never rush
in this lovely city but take the time to walk both the Small and
Grand Terraces. These are one of the best works of Le Notre, the
great gardener. Trace the route of Queens and Kings through its
8,000 foot promenades intersected by a lovely landscaped garden.
Enjoy
the Ile de France this year.
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