16 Iconic Buildings to Explore in Île-de-France

Checkout places to visit in Île-de-France

The most populous of the 18 regions of France. It is located in the north-central part of the country and often called the Paris Region because it includes the city of Paris. Île-de-France is densely populated and economically important: it covers only about 2% of France's territory, but has an official estimated population of 12,213,364 (18.2% of the population of France) and accounts for nearly 30% of the French GDP.

Popular Activities And Trips in Île-de-France

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Iconic Buildings to Explore in Île-de-France

Château de Fontainebleau

The Chateau de Fontainebleau is a royal castle of mainly Renaissance and classical styles, near the city center of Fontainebleau, about sixty kilometers south-east of Paris, France. The first traces of a castle in Fontainebleau date back to the xii th century. The latest work is done in the xix th century. Francis I and Napoleon were the monarchs who had the most influence on the Palace as it stands today. It became a national museum in 1927 and was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 198

Château de Vaux le Vicomte

The chateau of Vaux-le-Vicomte , located on the territory of the French town of Maincy ( Seine-et-Marne ), 50 km southeast of Paris , near Melun is a castle of the xvii th century (1658- 1661), built for the superintendent of finances of Louis XIV , Nicolas Fouquet . It now belongs to a younger branch of the Marquis de Vogüé. The Castle, a masterpiece of classical architecture is now the largest privately owned historical monument.

Château of Vincennes

The Château of Vincennes was used as a royal residence from the 12th to 18th century and it has preserved its medieval towers, the Sainte-Chapelle and the 14th century keep which is the highest of its kind in Europe. The building was surrounded by a 3608 ft -long fortified wall with nine towers and is also protected by a moat, 88 ft which was situated in the outskirts of the city center in the forest of Vincennes. It was one of the architectural wonders in this area.

Domaine National du Palais-Royal

This is a former royal palace located in the 1st arrondissement of Paris, France. A popular monument decorated in the antique style so fashionable in the 18th century. There is art, history, cafes, shops, and magnificent gardens to enjoy here. This is one of the favorite spots for locals and tourists to come for a stroll. It now serves as the seat of the Ministry of Culture, the Conseil d'État, and the Constitutional Council.

Hôtel de Ville

Hôtel de Ville is situated on the Right Bank, just across from the eastern end of the Île de la Cité. It contains the official apartments of the mayor of Paris and of the local government. it's one of those places in Paris where there's always something happening. The large place in front of the building is spacious enough to hold the seasonal patinoire.

A complex of buildings which was commissioned in 1670 by Louis XIV in order to provide accommodation and hospital care for wounded soldiers. Later the parts of Les Invalides were converted into the Museum of Arms, the Museum of Contemporary History, and the Museum of Plains-Reliefs and into tombs for Napoleon I and others. It was one of the must-see locations in this area.

A large glass and metal pyramid which was located in the main courtyard of the Louvre Palace. It was designed by Chinese-American architect I. M. Pei. It was surrounded by three smaller pyramids. The pyramid used as an entrance in the Louvre's courtyard has the exact same proportions as the Great Pyramid of Giza. With the pyramid, the Louvre Museum took on a new dimension, becoming a national and international reference. It fits perfectly with the palace and has even become a tourist attraction

Luxembourg Palace

Luxembourg Palace was originally built to be the royal residence of the mother of Louis XIII of France, Marie de’Medici. It currently serves as a popular tourist attraction as well as the seat of the Senate of the Fifth Republic. Construction began in 1715 for this architectural gem built for Marie de' Medici. Its magnificent heritage is visible throughout its hallways.

Montparnasse Tower

Montparnasse Tower is the Paris' only skyscraper and at 689 ft high which was named after Mont Parnassus. It offers one of the undoubtedly panoramic views of the city. You can lookout for the main sights including the Notre Dame, the Eiffel Tower and Sacre Coeur and so more. it is the 14th tallest building in the European Union.

Palais de Tokyo

A huge building dedicated to modern and contemporary art. It is located at 11, avenue du President Wilson. The Palais de Tokyo is one of the three permanent buildings of the 1937 international exhibition and intended, according to the 1934 project, to replace the Luxembourg Museum . It was initially used to present a retrospective of French art since the Middle Ages, but its real inauguration dates from 1947 when the collections relocated during the Second World War returned.

The Paris Opera offers you the possibility to discover the treasures of the Palais Garnier's public areas, a masterpiece of the 19th-century theater art architecture. The “Italian-style” auditorium, with its ceiling painted in 1964 by Marc Chagall, can accommodate 2054 spectators. With nearly 480,000 visitors each year. It was one of the most visited places which were listed as a historical monument since 1923.

Place Charles de Gaulle

The Place Charles de Gaulle is often known as the Place de l’Etoile or stars square, which is due to the roads all intersecting this notorious junction, yet it is probably most famous for being the location of the Arc de Triomphe that is the famous large triumphal arch monument in Paris. The pavilions in the gardens are used as tearooms, restaurants, and theatres. The Grand Palais and the Petit Palais, built for the International Exposition of 1900, sit on the south side of the avenue.

Place de la Bastille

The Place de Bastille is an open square where the infamous Bastille prison once stood—and fell, igniting the French Revolution. The square was occupied by the Bastille Prison, which was a symbol of absolute power in the Ancien Régime. Today, the square plays host to large cultural events such as concerts, fairs, and citizen events and so more shops. As a consequence of its historical significance, the square is often the site or point of departure of political demonstrations and so more.

Place des Vosges

The Place des Vosges, Place Royale until 1800, is a site of the Marais, part of the 3rd and 4th arrondissements. Designed by Louis Métezeau, it is the “sister” of Place Ducale in Charleville-Mézières. It is the oldest square in Paris, just before Place Dauphine. It is a closed square, accessible by the main street on one of the four sides and two streets passing under pavilions. It is known to be the place of residence of several personalities from the political, artistic, or media world.

Sainte-Chapelle

A beautiful cathedral which was built on the Ile de la Cité in the heart of the French capital, which was a gem of the Gothic style. Built-in seven years, an impressive feat, the Sainte Chapelle was intended to house precious Christian relics, including Christ's crown of thorns, acquired by Saint Louis. It was one of the earliest surviving buildings of the Capetian royal palace on the Île de la Cité. You will be wondered while seeing this majestic cathedral and its architectural intelligence.

The Grand Trianon

The Grand Trianon was a beautiful mansion which was erected by Jules Hardouin-Mansart in 1687 on the site of the former ‘Porcelain Trianon’. Heavily influenced by Italian architecture, the palace is set over a single storey flanked by a courtyard on one side and gardens on the other. It was set within its own park, which includes the Petit Trianon castle. It was one of the beautiful castles which were set in a beautiful surrounding.

Map of Iconic Buildings to Explore in Île-de-France