I'le de France

I'le de France is the capital region of France, Paris, city of art and romance. Famous monuments such as the Eiffel tower, Louvre, Notre Dame are located here as is the river Seine. Paris is one of the most visited cities in the World and you can visit it by barge.

The region encompasses a large area surrounding the city with many well known suburbs to numerous to list here.

In terms of architectural interest the Picardi region has six of the finest cathedrals in France including Amiens, Beauvais, Laon, Soissons, Senlis and St Quentin, no less than ten fortified castles and at least twenty one Chateaux as well as a plethora of abbeys and churches whether Cistercian, Romanesque or Gothic. To the south east of the department one can observe the splendor of the moated Chateau de Chantilly complete with the famous Living Horse Museum and racecourse. Compiene, a classical town with beautiful stone buildings, boasts the magnificent 18th Century Palace once frequented by Louis 14th but most celebrated in the day of the Empress Eugenie and Napoleon 3rd. An unexpected bonus is the Opera House, scene of many fabulous productions, a miniature jewel intended as a copy of the opera house at Versailles. Nearby in the forest is the site of the signing of the Armistice in 1918.

Picardi Tourist Office

I'le de France - Click on Map to enlarge

Picardy (in French - Picardie)

is a historic region in northern France that is now within the departments of Aisne, Oise, Pas-de-Calais, and Somme. AMIENS was the region's capital. On Picardy's fertile soils wheat, sugar beets, and fodder crops are grown.

Dairy and beef cattle are raised, and intensive vegetable cultivation takes place on the heavily fertilized, drained peat in the valley of the SOMME RIVER.

Occupied by the Franks during the 5th century, Picardy was divided among six feudal counts. It became a French province in 1477 and was the target of numerous invasions from the Netherlands. During World War I it was the scene of protracted trench warfare.

I'le de France Tourist Office

Picardy - Click on map to enlarge