10 Free Things to do in Ile-de-France That You Shouldn't Miss

April 19, 2022 Christa Meece

Île-de-France (English: /ˌiːl də ˈfrɑːns/, French: [il də fʁɑ̃s] ( listen), "Island of France"), also known as the région parisienne ("Parisian Region"), is one of the 18 regions of France and includes the city of Paris. It covers 12,012 square kilometres (4,638 square miles) and has its own regional council and president. It has a population of 12,005,077 as of January 2014, equivalent to 18.2% of the population of France.
Restaurants in Ile-de-France

1. Cathedrale Notre-Dame de Paris

6 Parvis Notre-Dame Place Jean-Paul II, 75004 Paris France +33 1 42 34 56 10 [email protected] https://www.notredamedeparis.fr/
Excellent
69%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 71,255 reviews

Cathedrale Notre-Dame de Paris

This famous cathedral, a masterpiece of Gothic architecture on which construction began in the 12th century, stands on the Île de la Cité and is the symbolic heart of the city.

Reviewed By ashwathramr - Kochi (Cochin), India

A must visit landmark Cathedral in Paris, I turned up at 7:45 AM.. early and entered inide at 8 : 00 AM, the exterior architecture is amazing magnificent , the cathedral is stunning with ornate and intricate statues and two bell tower , he facade of the Cathedral is well designed in Gothic architectural style, the interiors of the cathedral is impressive with high column and glass works ,as i walked inside the cathedral i was just lost in the era of the Gothic Period. This is one of the best cathedral that i ve ever visited in my life. You can capture some of the stunning views of the cathedral . My suggestion to visit the cathedral is enter the cathedral in the morning early hours , when the crowd is less, the entry is free, but you have to stand in line to enter and security check is there. the touristic crowd and group tour pours in so visit at early is always the best to enjoy your visit to this marvelous masterpiece.. At evening hour the views of the cathedral is also stunning...there is a huge open space in front of the cathedral for capturing beautiful views.

2. Montmartre

75018 Paris France
Excellent
64%
Good
27%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
2%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 19,757 reviews

Montmartre

Located in the 18th Arrondissement, this elevated rural neighborhood on the outskirts of the city has a collection of upscale shops and cafés and still exudes hints of old village charm.

Reviewed By RaeBar - Durban, South Africa

It's hard to believe that Montmatre is part of the frenetically-busy city of Paris! It has an old bohemian village feel about it and has much less traffic. There's loads to see, from the amazing Sacre-Coeur Cathedral towering above the city, to the famous Moulin Rouge, little streets meandering up and down the hillside, the buzzing artists' square of Place du Tertre, the fascinating old Cemetary, loads of cafes, restaurants & galleries and so much more!

3. Luxembourg Gardens

Rue de Medicis Rue de Vaugirard, 75006 Paris France +33 (0) 1 42 64 33 99‎ http://en.parisinfo.com/paris-museum-monument/71393/Jardin-du-Luxembourg
Excellent
68%
Good
27%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 34,885 reviews

Luxembourg Gardens

These formal gardens, open to only royalty before the French Revolution, now serve as one of Paris's most popular destinations for relaxation.

Reviewed By 263rosieg

Staying near the gardens and found them a little magical pocket. Well worth the stroll or flanneur through the gardens....joggers, and tennis players, pony rides for the kids, fabulous museums, sculptures, fabulous gardens of incredible beauty...and the light...the light only Paris can provide. Winter or summer...please visit these gardens...you will not be disappointed

4. Basilique du Sacre-Coeur de Montmartre

35 Rue du Chevalier-De-La-Barre, 75018 Paris France +33 1 53 41 89 00 [email protected] http://www.sacre-coeur-montmartre.com/english/
Excellent
65%
Good
27%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 38,638 reviews

Basilique du Sacre-Coeur de Montmartre

This Montmartre landmark, a 19th-century basilica built by the French government following the Franco-Prussian War, features a large medieval dome that provides excellent views of the city.

Reviewed By Safari649767 - Hollywood, United States

The Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Paris, known as Sacré-Cœur Basilica is a Roman Catholic church and minor basilica, dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, in Paris, A popular landmark and the second most visited monument in Paris,the basilica stands at the summit of the butte Montmartre, the highest point in the city. Must visit place while in Paris.

5. Fontainebleau Forest (Foret de Fontainebleau)

Fontainebleau France http://www.fontainebleau-tourisme.com/fr/decouvrir-la-region/la-foret/
Excellent
71%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 693 reviews

Fontainebleau Forest (Foret de Fontainebleau)

This 49,000-acre forest is one of the biggest in France.

Reviewed By Voyageurdumonde7

La Foret de Fontainebleau is wonderfully beautiful. It's a great place to walk for hours and just get lost in your thoughts as you go through the forest. The forest is beautiful all throughout the year, weather you visit in Winter, Spring, Summer or Fall, it'll always have something to offer. There are many boulders and rocks to climb and it's a great place for hiking as well. I recommend visiting for a pleasant walk through this magical forest.

6. Galerie des Carrosses

1 avenue Rockefeller Musee Du Carrosse, 78000, Versailles France +33 1 30 83 78 00 http://www.chateauversailles.fr/
Excellent
60%
Good
33%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
0%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 298 reviews

Galerie des Carrosses

Reviewed By rosemead1 - Kingston-upon-Hull, United Kingdom

This is one of the rare attractions in Versailles that is free to visit, it is worth popping in to see the beautiful state coaches and they also have some original sleds used by Marie Antoinette, also carriages made for her children are on display.

7. Le Marais

Le Marais 3e Arrondissement, 75003 Paris France +33 9 52 89 24 05
Excellent
66%
Good
29%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 12,749 reviews

Le Marais

Located on a land-filled swamp, this revitalized neighborhood, once a center of high culture, fell into disrepair following the French Revolution, but has regained prominence.

Reviewed By SteveFromHenderson

Alive with restaurants, bars, shops of every variety. Home to the Picasso Museum (fantastic), the very interesting Carnavalet Museum (museum of the City of Paris), and lovely cafes, bakeries, creperies, and the best falafel shops in Europe!

8. Val d'Europe

14, Cours du Danube - Serris, 77711, Marne-la-Vallee France +33 1 60 42 39 39 [email protected] http://www.valdeurope.fr/
Excellent
48%
Good
39%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
2%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,797 reviews

Val d'Europe

Val d’Europe is a shopping mall located 30 minutes to the east of Paris, and 5 minutes from the DisneyLand Paris theme park and the Villages Nature holiday village. The mall has 190 shops and 30 restaurants, covering over 1,000,000 square feet since its most recent expansion completed in March 2017. Imagine what it would be like to enjoy a day of Parisian shopping during your trip to Disneyland Paris. Discover Val d’Europe and 200 of the hottest French and international brands. Val d'Europe is open 7/7, every day of the year except on May 1, December 25 and January 1.

Reviewed By Vegandelight790 - Exeter, United Kingdom

A huge selection of shops, restaurants and cafes under cover in a spotlessly clean mall with a huge supermarket too. This really is everything under one roof.

9. Parc de Sceaux

Chateau de Sceaux, 92330 Sceaux France +33 6 64 40 56 66 http://domaine-de-sceaux.hauts-de-seine.fr/ledomaine/le-parc
Excellent
66%
Good
31%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 706 reviews

Parc de Sceaux

Reviewed By fabinico - Paris, France

This public park used to belong to Colbert, one of Louis XIV's main Ministers, and was designed by Andre Le Notre, the landscaper for the Versailles gardens. This explains why the Parc de Sceaux is a little like Versailles gardens in miniature. There are "jardins à la française", many fountains, and a large canal. Apart of course from strolling through the different areas, there are several events organised during the year, like chamber music concerts in the orange garden, or candle illuminations in the evening. Check their website. There is plenty of room but if you want some peace, avoid sunny and hot weekend afternoons. The easiest way to get there is with the train RER B from the center of Paris. But you can also bike there from the Montparnasse area over the "Coulée verte". It's quite an adventure !

10. Eglise Saint-Eloi

10 Chemin de la Mesnil, 95700 Roissy-en-France France +33 1 34 29 43 14 [email protected] http://paroisse.louvres.free.fr/spip.php?article13
Excellent
49%
Good
41%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
2%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 51 reviews

Eglise Saint-Eloi

Reviewed By adry_u-k_1 - Chorley, United Kingdom

Really beautiful church, nice night lights. One of the most peaceful place to visit in this place so close to the airport.

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