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THE HEART OF FRANCE

In the central north of France, the capital city of Paris is surrounded by a small inner ring of 3 departments, then a large outer ring of 4 departments.

Of France’s eighteen official regions, this capital region of 8 total departments is the most visited by tourists who flock to the area’s many landmarks and historic sites. The region is rich in gastronomy, cheese, pastries, museums and galleries, cathedrals, and monuments.

City Préfecture (Departement)

Métropole du Grand Paris Map

Paris

  • 20 Arrondisements

Petite Couronne

  • Nanterre (Hauts-de-Seine)
  • Bobigny (Seine-Saint-Denis)
  • Créteil (Val-de-Marne)

Grande Couronne

  • Evry (Essonne)
  • Melun (Seine-et-Marne) + Fontainebleau, Vaux-le-Vicomte
  • Pontoise (Val-d’Oise)
  • Versailles (Yvelines)

Île-de-France—the capital land “island” between three rivers: the Seine, Oise, and Marne—beyond Paris, is home to historic royal palaces of Versailles and Fontainebleau, chateau Vaux-le-Vicomte, and is the seat of the French government and institutions.

Cities in the Île-de-France


Île-de-France Explored

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