"I wanted to thank you for the planning that you did for our recent trip to France. It was a wonderful trip, one of the best we had ever taken." - Tim S.

Ile-de-France is the historic cradle, dynamic hub and intellectual center of France. Paris, its suburbs and the surrounding region from a pole of attraction for the entire country- and, further a field, for the whole of Europe. This situation is due to its central position in Europe, its rich history- and also, of course, its dynamic present. From the new Pyramid that rises up in the heart of the Louvre to the Palacio d'Abraxas at Marne-la-Vallee, from the Cathedrale de la Resurrection at Evry to the Grande Bibliotheque de France in Paris. The region has a gift for exploring new trends and attracting the love and savoir-faire of the finest artists from around the world. For instance, it was in Ile-de-France that the grand gothic cathedrals were born, evolving from sober 12th century Roman sanctuaries into the extraordinarily exuberant constructions of the 15th century. It was here in the Middle Ages that some of the finest chateaux forts were built, and here too that the sumptuous residences of the court were built at Fontainebleau, the Louvre and Versailles. (CRT Ile-de-France)

Some Sites and Cities on our tours…

Note: some sites and cities are located in the Oise department which is a part of the Picardie region.

Abbaye de Royaumont (Val d’Oise)

The Royaumont abbey is surprising as much for its immense scale as for its exceptional state of conversation. Built by the order of Saint-Louis, it features notably the largest Cistercian cloisters in France. Today a foundation for international culture, it also houses a center for Middles Ages Music. (CRT Ile-de-France)

Chantilly (region of Picardie)

Chantilly is well-known in the world for its chateau, its horse races, its extraordinary "Musée Vivant du Cheval" (equestrian museum), its forest and its spectacular international Fireworks Competition "Les Nuits de Feu".

Parc du Chateau de Chantilly- Gardens designed by Le Notre with flowerbeds, lakes, ponds, waterways and wooded park with statues, a summer house and “hamlet”, all set out around the magnificent Chateau with comprises the original XVIth century Chateau des Montmorency and the XIXth century Chateau du Duc d’Aumale. Classified as a Historical Monument (Monument Historic). (CRT Picardie)

Senlis (region of Picardie)

Surrounded by forest, Senlis has saved a part of its gallo-roman and medieval battlement, and the main part of its historical monuments. Many sites are to be seen in Senlis such as the Park and remains of the Château Royal. Hunting Museum and Spahis Museum, West portal of the Cathedral (late 12th century), museum of the Hôtel de Vermandois (12th -16th century), Place Notre-Dame, Notre-Dame cathedral., Art Museum (former bishop's residence) and more.

What good "stuff' can you eat?

Ile-de-France is a land of gastronomy. Braised duck with Montmorency (Val d'Oise) cherries, roast Houdan chicken, Essonne cress deliciously spiced with Meaux mustard (Seine-et-Marne), rose confiture from Provins, or Melun brie (Essonne)- there's no shortage of culinary specialties in Ile-de-France (although after all the same could be said o every region of France). But the most remarkable phenomenon lies in Ile-de-France's unique capacity of concentrating all of the country's gastronomic traditions- the influence of the capital, no doubt. One thing is sure: savoring a deliciously garlicky bouillabaisse, a choucroute overflowing with sausages or crepes with a rich note of caramel that only the Bretons have the secret to.here, everything is possible. "Paris is where the provinces meet", explained Marcel Pagnol. (CRT Ile-de-France)