Ile-de-France

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At the turn of the 19th century, artists, writers and musicians were of the same opinion, the banks of the rivers Seine, Oise and Marne providing their inspiration.

Essonne

Medicinal herbs in Milly la Forêt – along with Cocteau’s grave and decorated church One-eyed Cyclops in the forest Historic Etampes is another ‘Little Venice’

Hauts-de-Seine

The royal palace and grounds just outside the city gates at Saint Cloud are easy to get to and free Daring architecture and high technology at La Défense World famous Sèvres porcelain on show in the National Ceramic Museum

Seine-et-Marne

Well-to-do Fontainebleau with its royal palace and sprawling forest Smaller is more beautiful at Vaux le Vicomte, the alternative to Versailles Art lovers head for the artists’ haunt of Barbizon, near Fontainebleau

Seine-Saint-Denis

Royal burial ground under the motorway interchange at Saint Denis Stade de France, the temple to football in Saint Denis Flight museum at Le Bourget

Val-d'Oise

Pontoise has a remarkable cathedral – almost an architectural history lesson The Musée Pisarro in Pontoise Art students can see Van Gogh’s wheatfield at Auvers sur Oise

Val-de-Marne

The Bois de Vincennes and its adjoining botanical garden The royal town of Vincennes with château, infamous dungeon, and zoo Singing and dancing in Nogent’s riverside restaurants

Yvelines

Versailles is one of France’s “must see monuments” St Germain en Laye is the national antiquities centre Ile de Chatou on the Seine, was the inspiration for many Impressionists

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