Paris, magnifique! You must LIVE this singular city – so much more than just the capital of la République – to understand a fraction of the history, culture, glamour, and magique that spans from the furthest reaches of ancient history through revolution, the Belle Epoque, the Roaring Twenties, and onward. Everyday tasks take on a cinematic quality in the City of Lights, where browsing vintage book stalls along the Seine and taking a coffee in un petit café are just as romantic as champagne by candlelight or a late-night serenade across Pont Neuf. The spirit of Liberté, Egalité, Fraternité permeates Paris’ wide boulevards and manicured gardens that extend to the lush valleys and forests of the surrounding Île-de-France region, blessed with its own renowned sites such as the palaces of Versailles and Fontainebleau.
To the north, the Hauts-de-France region has no shortage of its own treasures to offer. From the brilliant sprawling beaches of the Opal Coast to the lace-like gothic façade of the Amiens cathedral, the far northern reaches boasts an important cultural and historical heritage. Plunge into the past in the impeccable gardens and interiors of Chateau de Chantilly, the enchanting medieval castle of Pierrefonds, and the beautifully still memorial sites of the First and Second World Wars that have shaped the area and its history. No matter where you roam, there will always be a great glass of local cider or wine to accompany any array of regional gastronomic delights. Bienvenue!
