10 Historic Walking Areas in Ile-de-France That You Shouldn't Miss

April 29, 2022 Marianna Hollaway

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. 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!

2. Left Bank (Rive Gauche)

Paris France
Excellent
66%
Good
29%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 246 reviews

Left Bank (Rive Gauche)

The section of Paris south of the River Seine.

Reviewed By 750dimitrisl - Sydney, Australia

The Left Bank of the Seine River is possibly the sentimental heart of Paris. In days gone by it was the part of Paris where you would find philosophers, poets, artists, teachers, writers, anybody who was somebody would be here. This sentiment has carried to the present day but how true it is now is another matter. On this side of the Seine you will find some of the most wonderful sights, like the Sorbonne University, the Pantheon, the Latin Quarter, the Musee d'Orsay, the Army Museum, the Rodin Museum, the Eiffel Tower, the Luxembourg Gardens and many others. There are some wide roads but there are many narrow streets as well and it is these that convey the old Paris. You must walk! You haven't been to Paris if you miss the Left Bank!

3. Latin Quarter

75005 Paris France http://www.parisinfo.com/transports/73228/Quartier-Latin
Excellent
57%
Good
33%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 4,027 reviews

Latin Quarter

This famous Left Bank neighborhood, so named because the numerous university students in the area spoke only Latin to their professors until the French Revolution, preserves an authentic Parisian atmosphere of old.

Reviewed By izol44 - Malatya, Turkey

The Saint-Michel Neighborhood, Shakespeare & Company Bookshop, Soak in Medieval Art at the Musée Cluny, the Pantheon, Art-House Cinema, Old Sorbonne University...thanks for everything...Ramona rorvik

4. Triumphal Way (Voie Triomphale)

La Defense, Paris France +33 2 62 86 46 21
Excellent
63%
Good
30%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 271 reviews

Triumphal Way (Voie Triomphale)

Reviewed By 750dimitrisl - Sydney, Australia

This is a very long "pathway", a straight road that extends for several kilometres. It was originally conceived as a sort of path to and from the gardens of the royal Palace of the Tuileries. Along the way there are several monuments, arches and the like, like the Arc de Triomphe. The beautiful Champs Elysees is central to this long road. Worth a look.

5. Cour du Commerce Saint Andre

Boulevard Saint Germain and, Paris France +33 1 46 33 12 02 http://www.hayariparis.com
Excellent
55%
Good
39%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 51 reviews

Cour du Commerce Saint Andre

Reviewed By CPaM68 - Texas, United States

I was with my daughter and daughter-in-law while they shopped at the shops along Boulevard Saint Germain when we stumbled upon this small cobblestone passageway. (I actually think one of them was looking for a particular shop that was located here.) The passageway contains some unique shops and restaurants and is very peaceful and relaxing, especially compared to the hectic pace and traffic of the nearby boulevard. While standing in a shop that sold spices, pastries and ice cream, I suddenly realized that I had actually been there before. Memories flooded back of a previous trip to Paris years ago with me standing around in nearly the exact spot as my loving wife bought spices to take back home. Oh, sweet memories!

6. Grand Canal

Parc du Chateau de Versailles, 78000, Versailles France +33 1 39 66 30 00 http://www.chateauversailles.fr/homepage
Excellent
57%
Good
35%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 836 reviews

Grand Canal

Reviewed By 750dimitrisl - Sydney, Australia

The Grand Canal is a magnificent part of the Versailles Palace. The sheer size of it and the volumes of water needed to make it work are just mind boggling. A great place to walk around.

7. Ile de la Cite

Ile de la Cite, 75001 Paris France +33 7 53 12 26 52 http://www.experience-privee.com/city/Paris/Ile-de-la-Cite
Excellent
64%
Good
31%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 5,310 reviews

Ile de la Cite

Reviewed By Johnnythemanatee - Penetanguishene, Canada

The historical heart of Paris has much to commend it: the splendor of both Notre Dame de Paris and the Ste Chapelle, and the medieval Conciergerie with its captivating exterior and fascinating interior being the obvious highlights. But there are other wonderful treasures and diversions: the Pont-Neuf, the oldest bridge in Paris with the statue of the ever popular King Henry IV astride his horse; the quaint Place de la Dauphine, a lovely if somewhat pricey place to enjoy a Parisian lunch; the Place de Vert Galant, peaceful today but remembered for it being the place where the head of the Knights Templar order was burned at the stake in the early 14th century (today you can board a Seine river cruise boat at the foot of the stairs leading back up to street level); the disturbing and evocative memorial of the deportation of the Jews at the very easterly tip of the island behind Notre Dame. By the time you climb the tower of the Notre Dame cathedral, pay a worthwhile visit to its crypt, nose around in the inevitable souvenir shops, take advantage of countless photo ops and enjoy one or two of the memorable views from any one of the bridges accessing the island, you will find that your day on the Ile de la Cite was complete and rewarding.

8. Moret-sur-Loing

Moret-sur-Loing France +33 1 60 70 41 66 http://www.msl-tourisme.fr
Excellent
56%
Good
39%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 174 reviews

Moret-sur-Loing

Reviewed By tofrek1885 - Shrewsbury, United Kingdom

Moret is one of my favourite towns. A walled mediaeval frontier town with original gateways, the views of it from and around the river, the bridge and the mill streams are really beautiful. It is a pleasant place just to wander around and take in some of its historic buildings (like the church) and while it is not grand on the scale of some better-known "tourist town" it is well worth a stroll through (with coffee to follow!) if you are near.

9. Promenade des Petits Ponts

78460 Chevreuse France http://www.chevreuse-tourisme.com/chevreuse-en-photos?lightbox=i0zyh
Excellent
53%
Good
45%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 40 reviews

Promenade des Petits Ponts

10. Le Charme Parisien Des Passages Couverts

75001 Paris France http://www.parisinfo.com/decouvrir-paris/guides-thematiques/paris-patrimoine-en-or/paris-insolite/le-charme-parisien-des-passages-couverts
Excellent
66%
Good
30%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 73 reviews

Le Charme Parisien Des Passages Couverts

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