City: Ile-de-France
Top Things to do in Ile-de-France
Top Hotels in Ile-de-France
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What to do and see in Ile-de-France, France: The Best Cultural Tours
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. 2 Day Mont Saint Michel & D-Day Normandy Private Day Tour from Paris
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 3 reviews
Visit the Mont Saint Michel UNESCO World Heritage site on Day 1 and explore the D-Day landing beaches of Normandy on Day 2 and gain insight into World War II history on this private day trip from Paris. Travel with a private guide to key WWII battle sites including : Omaha Beach and Pointe du Hoc, and gain insight into the sacrifices made on both sides. Then, visit the American Cemetery — where a great many soldiers are laid to rest. This tour can be adapted and includes pickup and drop-off at your Paris hotel or apartment.
Inclusions: Hotel pickup and drop-off, Private guide and guide's hotel, Transport by air-conditioned minivan
Exclusions: Clients hotel, Food and drinks, Gratuities
Reviewed By tjdotson
My husband and I were on a short trip to Paris for his work. On the day he had mostly off, we had Frederic drive us to Bruges since we had never been to Belgium and the pictures looked amazing. After a very comfortable ride there, Frederic started a walking tour with us in the morning and we quickly realized the pictures did not do this quaint city justice! We felt like Disney had created this perfect little town for people to see. Frederic walked us around before we stopped for lunch together. He was going to leave us to dine alone but we asked him to join us because we enjoyed his company so much and we wanted to hear more about the city. After lunch, he gave us the option of having him continue to walk us around or we could explore on our own. We chose to explore on our own since we felt he had given us such a good overview that morning. We had plans to tour the Chocolate Museum but when we arrived, it was closed due to the time of year. We actually didn't mind much and we just spent the day wandering the beautiful streets around the canals and stopping for hot chocolate and waffles. I would highly suggest a visit to Bruges to feel like you have stepped back in time. Speaking of time, we toured in January and lucked out that it wasn't extremely cold. The crowds were very low so it was easy to wander the streets and sometimes we found ourselves the only ones exploring the small alleyways. I would definitely return to Bruges one day and would highly suggest taking this tour especially if it is your first visit or if you have very limited time in the city.
2. Giverny Monet's House & Versailles Palace Private Day Trip from Paris
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 9 reviews
Private and exclusive experience to discover Giverny & Versailles with a private professional guide. Two of the most popular day trip destinations outside the French capital – Louis XIV's Palace of Versailles and Monet's gardens and house in Giverny. > Private Tour - 9 hours > Exclusive services > Licensed Professional Driver Guide > Skip the line entrances > Admission to Monet's house & gardens > Admission to Versailles Palace and Gardens even when Musical Fountains Show or Musical Gardens > Headsets if necessary > Hotel pick up & drop off
Inclusions: Private Tour, Exclusive services, Licensed Professional Driver Guide, Pick up and drop off from your accommodation / hotels in Paris, Transport by air-conditioned minibus, Skip-the-Line access & Priority admission., Guided visit: Monet's house and gardens & Versailles's palace and gardens
Exclusions: Lunch, Gratuities
Reviewed By twokids246
I booked a full day tour of Versailles with my daughter and it was just perfect. I had many questions through email prior to our outing and they were always answered in a timely manner. They were always there to help. Our morning started out with a very nice Mercedes van picking us up and taking us to Versailles to meet our wonderful guide, Anna. Anna was very knowledgeable on every aspect of Versailles. My daughter and I learned so much and had the most magnificent time with Anna. If we had done this tour alone we would have been amazed still, but doing it with a guide makes a world of difference. There were so many details and things we would have never known if we didn’t have Anna. When the day was over our driver was right there ready to take us back to our hotel. It was a wonderful experience. I highly recommend this company, they were top notch and did everything with ease and class. What an incredible experience!!!
3. Versailles Full-Day Saver Tour: Palace, Gardens, and Estate of Marie Antoinette
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 20 reviews
Join us for a full day visit to the spectacular Chateau of Versailles, the most prestigious and famous royal palace in Europe. Walk the glittering Hall of Mirrors as Kings, Queens and courtiers used to. Explore the lavish state apartments and magnificent gardens, and learn how the glory of the Sun King shone throughout the world. Visit the beautiful gardens, once home to lavish balls and parties. Then experience Versailles as few do, and continue your tour to visit the private domain of Marie Antoinette. On this guided afternoon tour you will discover the exquisite Petit Trianon, her private mansion set in beautiful gardens. See the jewel of Versailles, the tiny theatre built specially for her, and end your visit at her picturesque Normandy village, complete with vineyard, farm and vegetable gardens. Including a visit to the hidden estate of Marie Antoinette is the only way to fully understand the history of Versailles.
Inclusions: Full day guided tour of the Palace & Gardens of Versailles and the Domain of Marie-Antoinette including the Petit Trianon and hamlet, Musical gardens or Fountain show: weekends & selected days April through October, Expert, fully accredited local guides, Ride on the Petit Train to and from the Petit Trianon, Round-trip RER transfer from central Paris, Three course lunch with wine (if option selected)
Exclusions: Hotel pick up/drop off, Gratuities, Lunch (unless option selected)
Reviewed By sharonvnj
We had an excellent experience with out Memories France guide Caroline at the Musee D'Orsay. We met for a two hour tour on a Saturday morning - there were 6 of us in the small group. Caroline was very knowledgeable and provided background on many paintings to give us a depth of understanding we would never have had otherwise. Who would have known that the face in a painting of a funeral procession was the face of the Emperor of France, and what was being buried under the funeral pall was liberty? Many insight such as these made for an educational and informative tour. Highly recommend.
4. Fontainebleau Half Day Private Guided Tour from Paris
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
- 5 hour Fontainebleau private guided tour from Paris - Skip the line entrance tickets included for the castle - English speaking licensed tour guide speaking to you inside the castle (this is NOT a tour with audioguides) - Other languages available on request for this tour - pick up and drop off at your accommodation in Paris - transportation in a luxury van This tour is not available : Tuesdays, May 1st, Dec 25th & Jan 1st
Inclusions: Pickup and drop-off from your Paris hotel, Private licensed tour guide, Transport by air-conditioned minivan, Guaranteed to skip the long lines, Driver/guide
Exclusions: Food and drinks, Gratuities
Reviewed By tjdotson
My husband and I were on a short trip to Paris for his work. On the day he had mostly off, we had Frederic drive us to Bruges since we had never been to Belgium and the pictures looked amazing. After a very comfortable ride there, Frederic started a walking tour with us in the morning and we quickly realized the pictures did not do this quaint city justice! We felt like Disney had created this perfect little town for people to see. Frederic walked us around before we stopped for lunch together. He was going to leave us to dine alone but we asked him to join us because we enjoyed his company so much and we wanted to hear more about the city. After lunch, he gave us the option of having him continue to walk us around or we could explore on our own. We chose to explore on our own since we felt he had given us such a good overview that morning. We had plans to tour the Chocolate Museum but when we arrived, it was closed due to the time of year. We actually didn't mind much and we just spent the day wandering the beautiful streets around the canals and stopping for hot chocolate and waffles. I would highly suggest a visit to Bruges to feel like you have stepped back in time. Speaking of time, we toured in January and lucked out that it wasn't extremely cold. The crowds were very low so it was easy to wander the streets and sometimes we found ourselves the only ones exploring the small alleyways. I would definitely return to Bruges one day and would highly suggest taking this tour especially if it is your first visit or if you have very limited time in the city.
5. Versailles Palace and Gardens Skip-the-line Tour from Versailles
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 12 reviews
Enjoy a visit to the spectacular Palace of Versailles. Walk the glittering Hall of Mirrors, see the State Apartments and stroll through the manicured gardens with an expert local guide to bring the Palace and its royal inhabitants back to life. For your convenience this tour starts in Versailles.
Inclusions: Fully guided tour of the Palace and Gardens of Versailles, Guided visit of the Musical Gardens or Fountain show: weekends & selected days April through October, Fully accredited English speaking guide, Headsets so you can always hear your guide, Limited groups of 20 people or fewer
Exclusions: Gratuities, Hotel pickup/drop off, Transportation to/from Versailles
Reviewed By sharonvnj
We had an excellent experience with out Memories France guide Caroline at the Musee D'Orsay. We met for a two hour tour on a Saturday morning - there were 6 of us in the small group. Caroline was very knowledgeable and provided background on many paintings to give us a depth of understanding we would never have had otherwise. Who would have known that the face in a painting of a funeral procession was the face of the Emperor of France, and what was being buried under the funeral pall was liberty? Many insight such as these made for an educational and informative tour. Highly recommend.
6. Versailles Skip-the-Line & Giverny Small Group Day Trip from Paris
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 34 reviews
Discover two of the most iconic homes and gardens in French culture on this small group day trip from Paris! You’ll explore King Louis the 14th Palace and outstanding French Gardens in Versailles and also discover the inspiration Claude Monet found in his colorful home and Clos Normand gardens in Giverny.
Inclusions: Small Group Tour of 8 people maximum, Guaranteed to skip the long lines, Transport by air-conditioned minivan, Driver/guide
Exclusions: Gratuities, Food
Reviewed By Pjrour995
the guide very well known as locals, we walked to the village of Marie Antoinette, we saw the lyon I absolutely enjoyed my time.
7. See 30 Plus Top Paris Sights with a Fun Guide
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 105 reviews
Leave your map behind and follow me, your English showman, who will take you on exploration of 30+ top Paris’ sights. You will hear about and possibly meet some the legends of one of Europe’s best-loved cities. Included in the tour, we will take in the incredible Eiffel Tower, a lively stroll through old Montmartre where Van Gogh and Pablo Picasso once lived, then upwards to the Sacre-Coeur for the best panoramic view of the City of Light. The show continues down with a view of the Champs élysées and the majestic Arc de Triomphe and not forgetting the Moulin Rouge we will experience a beautiful slice of French culture in the latin quater where you can pick up a snack (not included) from a nearby street market filled with patisseries. After that it's back on the trail. The English have over a 1000 years of experience in annoying the French, so I will be able to give you my personal insight on how to avoid certain embarrassing mis-understandings. Making this a super original experience.
Inclusions: Experienced guide
Exclusions: Day Travel Card called a Mobilis zone 1&2 is worth getting as metro tickets are not included.
Reviewed By 444joyo
Will definitely recommend going on this tour as it was fun and educative. Ewan was a great tour guide and we had a great experience ????????
8. Private 2-Hour Guided Tour in Orsay Museum Paris
Overall Ratings
4.9 based on 104 reviews
Enjoy this 2-hour private guided tour of Orsay Museum with the special focus on museum´s history and architecture and the 19th century art.
Inclusions: Private guided tour, Professional guide
Exclusions: Transportation to/from attractions
Reviewed By NSPFR
What is Parisian culture without its street art? Amateurs or connoisseurs will enjoy this personalised tour through Ménilmontant and Belleville: unique pieces to discover, the guide shares his passion and expertise at your pace... simply a must do. Highly recommended!
9. Normandy D-Day Small-Group Day Trip with Omaha Beach, Cemetery & Cider Tasting
Overall Ratings
4.9 based on 469 reviews
Take a 12-hour day trip from Paris to Normandy to visit the D-Day landing beaches, where the end of World War II began at sites such as Omaha Beach. You'll see German bunkers, the Operation Overlord Museum, and Pointe du Hoc, plus visit the Normandy American Cemetery, where 10,000 white crosses stand in perfect rows next to the waters of the English Channel. This tour is limited to eight people to provide a small-group experience with a guide.
Inclusions: Small Group Tour of 8 people maximum, Guaranteed to skip the long lines, Transport by air-conditioned minivan, Driver/guide
Exclusions: Gratuities, Food
Reviewed By Pjrour995
the guide very well known as locals, we walked to the village of Marie Antoinette, we saw the lyon I absolutely enjoyed my time.
10. Versailles Palace and Gardens Tour by Train from Paris with Skip-the-Line
Overall Ratings
4.9 based on 54 reviews
Join this half-day tour to the prestigious Palace of Versailles and Gardens. Walk in the footsteps of King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette. See the Hall of Mirrors, lavish staterooms, and beautiful gardens. Your English-speaking guide will lend their expertise to enhancing the experience with historical facts and interesting anecdotes. Take the RER train from Paris and enjoy skip-the-line access, a real time-saver.
Inclusions: Musical Gardens or Fountain Show (operates on weekend from April through October, Round-trip transportation from central Paris to Versailles by RER train, Fully accredited English-speaking guides, Headsets when appropriate so you can always hear your guide, Fully guided visit to the Petit Trianon and Marie Antoinette’s hamlet (if option selected), All reservations and entrance fees to the Palace of Versailles, with skip the line timed entance.
Exclusions: Hotel pickup and drop-off, Fully guided visit to the Petit Trianon and Marie Antoinette’s hamlet (unless option selected)
Reviewed By sharonvnj
We had an excellent experience with out Memories France guide Caroline at the Musee D'Orsay. We met for a two hour tour on a Saturday morning - there were 6 of us in the small group. Caroline was very knowledgeable and provided background on many paintings to give us a depth of understanding we would never have had otherwise. Who would have known that the face in a painting of a funeral procession was the face of the Emperor of France, and what was being buried under the funeral pall was liberty? Many insight such as these made for an educational and informative tour. Highly recommend.
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