"Ile de France : It's not only PARIS !" Top 5 Page for this destination Île-de-France by mariev

Île-de-France Travel Guide: 28,516 reviews and 57,243 photos

Ile de France? It's not a island, so why ?

The name "Ile de France", which designs how the whole Paris region is known as,puzzle more than one person.
The sea is so far, the region is not on a lake, so why "Ile" ?

The name first appears in 1387, replacing the former name 'Pays de France'.
It seems that 'Ile' refered to the region's (delimited by the rivers Oise, Seine, Marne, Ourc) shape and corresponded to what was France then.

The region got some different names since (as the country changed) but was officially renamed Ile de France in 1976.

Last visit to Île-de-France: Dec 2004
Intro Updated Dec 18, 2005
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Reviews (4)

Food providers' church - Saint Eustache Off The Beaten Path (2)

coming SAINT-EUSTACHE 2 impasse Saint-Eustache - 75001 PARIS Open 9h30 - 19h 7/7 Metro Chatelet- Les Halles more travel advice

Technical infrastructures outside the building - Île-de-France

Inside out - Beaubourg Off The Beaten Path (2)

coming Open every day from 11am to 10pm, except Tuesdays and May 1. 2 restaurants : Le Georges (not fantastic in my... more travel advice

Au pays de la baguette Local Customs (1)

Remember the cliche : the frenchman with his beret, his bottle of wine and his BAGUETTE ? While it is difficult to find... more travel advice

La grande Arche de la Defense - Île-de-France

La Défense - Grande Arche Things to Do (1)

Situated in the business area of La Defense, west from Paris, the Grande Arche de la Defense is among Francois... more travel advice

Travelogues (1)

Written Jun 20, 2005

3 photos

La Defense - Paris outside Paris

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Comments (5)

JLBG Feb 23, 2008 at 9:01 PM Report Abuse

Je n'avais jamais eu la curiosité de pousser la porte de l'Église Saint Eustache! Merci de ma l'avoir ouverte!
Nemorino Jul 2, 2006 at 3:10 AM Report Abuse

On my last visit I learned that the people who live in the Île de France are called "franciliens". (Is this true? The word is not in my dictionary.)
JetlagCity Mar 15, 2005 at 11:22 AM Report Abuse

I've always wondered about the name Ile de France - now I know!
Maillekeukeul Mar 2, 2005 at 3:46 AM Report Abuse

Je sens qu'on est sur la meme longueur d'onde...
craic Feb 10, 2005 at 9:20 AM Report Abuse

What a really peculiar building.