Making the Most of Your Time

Making the Most of Your Time

With so many legendary sights in the Ile-de-France—many of which are gratifying human experiences rather than just guidebook necessities—you could spend weeks visiting the region. For a stimulating mix of pomp, nature, and spirituality, we suggest your three priorities should be Versailles, Giverny, and Chartres. You definitely need a day for Versailles, the world's grandest palace. For that sublime treat of medieval art and architecture, the cathedral of Chartres, you need at least half a day. Ditto for Monet's ravishing home and garden at Giverny. If you have time, combine Versailles with nearby St-Germain-en-Laye, and Chartres with Maintenon and Rambouillet. There are two other zones to concentrate on. To the north, Chantilly acts as a hub, between the painters' village of Auvers-sur-Oise and historic Senlis. To the southeast, Fontainebleau is the anchor. Nearby lurk the romantic forest village of Barbizon and the splendid château and gardens of Vaux-le-Vicomte.