Ile de France and Paris Cottages

Holiday Cottages in Ile de France and Paris

Welcome to Ile de France & Paris

For countryside and cityscapes, the sumptuous region of Ile de France and Paris offer you the best of both worlds and is a superb region for your country cottage holiday in France.  Close to Paris, the romance capital of the world with its many iconic sights and sounds, you’ll find broad open spaces, lush woodland, vibrant towns and sleepy villages. It’s a short drive to Paris, or hop aboard the RER – urban train network.

The region is heaving with heritage including the Palace of Versailles, formal gardens of Saint Cloud, more tranquil chateaux at Fontainebleau and many cathedrals including picturesque St Etienne.  The landscape is also where many 19^th century artists, musicians and writers found beauty and inspiration on the banks of the rivers Marne, Seine and Oise.

Paris itself probably needs little introduction and if you haven’t experienced its wide tree lined boulevards, beautiful gardens, world class museums, attractions, café society and effortless chic, it’s time to make a date!  Browse the street markets, take coffee while watching the artists at Sacré-Coeur, climb the Eiffel Tower, cruise the mighty Seine River or simply watch the world go by in the historic Tuilleries Gardens.

Things to do in Ile de France & Paris

Heritage lovers will be seriously spoilt for choice.  Visit the many royal palaces and châteaux including Versailles with its Hall of Mirrors and formal gardens; there’s quieter Fontainebleau, a former hunting lodge (but please don’t get the impression it’s small!) and Ecouen in Val-d’Oise, now the home of the Musée de la Renaissance.  If you enjoy art see the Mona Lisa in the Louvre or further afield visit the village of Auvers sur Oise where Van Gogh spent his last days. Visit the wheat field that he captured on canvas and the cemetery where both he and his brother are buried.

If you enjoy serene landscape to the south-east of Paris you’ll find the Bois de Vincennes, over 995 hectares of wonderful managed woodland to explore and enjoy, plus the botanical garden of the Parc Floral de Paris and a great family day out can be found at the Parc Zoologique de Paris. 

Walking, cycling, riding, boating and golf are all catered for in the countryside surrounding Paris and the sheer diversity of attractions and activities is breathtaking.  Did you know that Paris is making cycling top priority?  On Sundays from April to October, the quays along the Seine are closed to cars, doubling the 100km of cycle paths in the city and offering a lovely way to see the sights!  How about Les Aigles des Remparts (The Eagles of the Ramparts)?  Found to the east of Paris in the world heritage listed medieval town of Provins see a thrilling falconry and horse show.  Bearing in mind that you’re also within easy reach of Disneyland Paris and you may find that you’ll need more time!   

Paris ‘what’s on’ 

Chateau de Versailles

Parc Zoologique Paris

Disneyland Paris

Les Aigles Des Remparts 

Golf Courses in Ile de France