The region of Ile-de-France in France
January 15, 2008
Covering only 12,012 km2 (7464 miles), Ile-de-France is one of the smallest regions in France in terms of surface area, after Alsace and the Corsica, but is by far most important in term of GDP and population. The Ile-de-France region houses 10,952,011 inhabitants and is made up of 8 districts, or “departments”, whose prefecture is Paris. Paris (75), Haut-de-Seine (92), the Seine-Saint-Denis (93) and the Val-de-Marne (94) form the small crown. Valley-of Oise (95), Yvelines (78) and Essonne(91) form part of the large crown, and Seine-et-Marne (77) covers almost half of the area.
The borders of Ile-de-France have been fluid over the years, but this spot has played a principal role in French history. Seat of royalty since the 10th century, land of the Franks since their arrival in Gaul, the area has been the historical, economic and cultural center of the country since France began. It is here that were born many great intellectual movements and architectural innovations such as immense Gothic cathedrals. Each monument tells the story of a period of the history of France, making Ile-de-France a true open-air museum. Tourists can’t go wrong here; which is why it is the most visited area in France.
Its exceptional historical heritage is evident in its unique monuments, such as the sumptuous residences imbued with a long royal past such as the castles of Versailles or Fontainebleau. To these add gems like the famous cathedral Notre-Dame-de-Paris, the Louvre museum, the Saint-Denis Basilica and the medieval city of Provins, to name only a few. Each district contains splendid vestiges of the past, allied with a perpetual search of innovation and modernity, and a great cultural vitality. Thus, the most beautiful historic buildings live side by side with contemporary architecture, such as the City of Sciences or the Center George Pompidou. The Eiffel Tower itself was at the time a modernist roll of the dice, much debated, and has become the symbol of Paris around whole world. The area puts as much emphasis on its present and future as it does on its illustrious past. Ultra-modern sites like the Arch of Defense and the François Mitterand library testify to this, as do the area’s new cities and theme parks like Disneyland in Marne-la-Vallée, and the Asterix Park.
At the crossroads of Europe and the center of France, the area shines thanks to very powerful networks of roads and communication. Indeed, Ile-de-France holds an important place as the administrative, political and economic capital of the country, and in positioned as the second largest economic region of the European Union. The economic fabric of Ile-de-France is composed of very diverse businesses, many official headquarters and an influential tertiary sector. To this, add the area’s prestigious, world-famous institutions of higher education and its pool of highly skilled labor.
In spite of its urbanization and its economic power, Ile-de-France remains a mainly rural area. 45%, of its territory is dedicated to agriculture; 23% to forestland and parks. The area is in the vast bowl of the Paris basin, with relatively flat terrain; no are elevations beyond 200 meters. The moderate climate and the fertile soil make it ideal for agriculture. In spite of the relatively unvarying terrain, this country presents a wide range of astonishing landscapes: valleys and plateaus, plains and hills. Moreover, the area is well irrigated by nearly 700 km (435 miles) of rivers, including the Seine, and its many feeders such as the Marne, the Oise, the Loing and the Essonne.
The forests hold also an important place in the vegetation of the area; among largest are those of Fontainebleau, Montmorency, Saint-Germain-en-Laye and Sénart. This diversity of landscapes bespeaks the variety and the richness of fauna and flora of France. The area emphasizes and protects its natural resources with four Regional Natural reserves: the Gâtinais Français, the Haute Vallée de Chevreuse, the Vexin Français and the l’Oise Pays de France. Besides preserving the environment, these reserves allow visitors to discover local nature along marked- out paths, accessible on foot, bicycle or on horseback.
Famous for its exceptional historical heritage and its vivid contemporary culture, the area is often overshadowed by the power of Paris, the most famous city in France. However, in addition to its capital, Ile-de-France abounds in cultural attractions and natural riches. Its rural past and its still largely undiscovered biodiversity make it an ideal ground for travel, exploration and leisure activities.
Map Ile de France
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