You're unlikely to exhaust the delights of Paris during your stay, but should you feel like a break from the bustle of the city, you'll find a number of attractive destinations within easy reach of the capital. The region that surrounds Paris - known as the Île de France - and the borders of the neighbouring provinces are studded with large-scale châteaux , many set in beautiful grounds. Many have played an integral part in French history - none more so than Versailles , an overwhelming monument to the reign of Louis XIV. On a slightly more intimate scale, Fontainebleau , with its Italianate decoration, is easy to appreciate; and Chantilly has a wonderful collection of Italian paintings and a gorgeous medieval Book of Hours. You can also enjoy the country air by taking a stroll in the gardens, parks and forests that surround the châteaux.

 

Two of France's most important church buildings can be easily reached from Paris in a day: the awe-inspiring cathedral of Chartres and the basilica of St-Denis , predating Chartres and representing the first breakthrough in Gothic art; it is also the burial place of almost all the French kings.

The River Seine winds northwest out of Paris through some idyllic countryside. In the nineteenth century, it attracted and inspired many artists. The Île de Chatou , an island in the river Seine, was especially popular with artists and has a small museum of Impressionist memorabilia within a riverside restaurant that was once frequented by Monet, Renoir and others. Further west is Monet's beautiful garden at Giverny, the inspiration for all his water-lily canvases.