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.