HIGHLIGHTS

Visit the Chateau de Versailles, Chateau de Fontainebleu and the Chateau de Chantilly
Climb the Eiffel Tower to enjoy panoramic views
Take in a spectacular show at the Moulin Rouge
Enjoy a relaxing cruise down the River Seine
Shop until you drop on the Champs Elysees
Explore the many museums and galleries of Paris
Enthral the family at Disneyland Resort Paris

Ile-de-France

Encircling Paris is the area of Ile de France whose countryside incorporates a historic royal region of magnificent splendour. Top of the list of extravagant chateaux is the palace at Versailles, which served as France’s political capital and the seat of the royal court for more than a century.

Other chateaux well worth a visit are the Chateau de Fontainebleau and the Chateau de Chantilly.

Paris

For most people, Paris conjures up a romantic image of magnificent monuments. Gustave Eiffel’s vast steel tower, the Gothic classic of Notre Dame and Napoleon’s triumphal arch. Others find the romance discovering pavement cafes, streetscapes, quays and bridges.

Although Paris has an excellent Metro system, many visitors opt for exploring on foot as they wander through the twists and turns of alluring alleyways. The Seine meanders through the middle of this compact city dividing it into the Right Bank (Rive Droite) and the Left Bank (Rive Gauche). In the middle of the river are two connected islands, Ile Saint Louis and Ile de la Cite. The latter, being the cultural core of Medieval Paris.

The French capital is rich in museums, art galleries, theatres and churches. The impressive Avenue de Champs-Elysees stretches from the Place de la Concorde to the Arc de Triomphe and accommodates numerous smart hotels and shops. The Musee du Louvre is home to some of the most important art collections in the world and has a history dating back to Medieval times. Over the centuries it has been improved and enlarged by a succession of French rulers. A delightful way to soak up the sights of Paris that is far less arduous on the feet is embarking on a river cruise on the Seine and taking a tranquil tour past many of the city’s main attractions.

By day Paris is an enchanting mixture of chic designer boutiques and quaint pavement cafes full of charm and character. By night the heart of the city pulsates with the vibrancy and vitality of the theatre, ballet, opera and celebrated nightclubs with their saucy stylishness.