Holidays in Hauts-De-Seine, Ile-DeFrance

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By Phil Hanlon


Hauts-de-Seine, literally translated as the heights of the Seine, is an area of the Ile de France on the outskirts of Paris. There are a number of modern commuter and business towns in the area as well as historic buildings and areas of natural beauty. The Hauts-de-Seine is also home to the world-famous Sevres porcelain.
La Defense
La Defense is a modern town, full of skyscrapers and office buildings, on the edge of Paris, which can be reached on the city's Metro system. The open space between the major buildings often hosts outdoor art exhibitions, but the main attraction is the Grand Arche de la Defense. Constructed in a direct line with the Arc de Triomphe and the Petit Arch de Triomphe in the Tuileries Gardens, the Grand Arche offers great views not only over La Defense, but over the whole city of Paris too. The attraction is perhaps not a great idea for those with a fear of heights, as the glass lift ascends up the centre of the arch, but it's well worth keeping going for the view at the top.

Sevres Porcelain
The porcelain-manufacturing factory was founded in the 18th century and is still making beautiful items today. There is a museum attached to the factory, with examples from history of the artefacts produced there. Some very famous artists have worked at the Sevres porcelain plant over the years, including Auguste Rodin and Serge Poliakoff. There are 50,000 items of pottery and earthenware in the museum, of which 5,000 were made at Sevres.
Parks and Gardens
The St Cloud Park is a laid-out garden, which extends over 460 hectares. The area is decorated with ponds, waterfalls and even sculptures. There are many routes throughout the park that you can either walk around leisurely or go for a jog. The gardens around the Chateau de Sceaux features a grand canal lined with trees. In the summer the orangery in the grounds hosts a music festival. Finally, the Meudon Forest is a huge area of tress and paths, which can be explored on foot or on bicycle. The town of Meudon itself is home to a number of museums, including one dedicated to the local artist Rodin the region's art and history museum. There is even a historic observatory in the town and many tree-lined streets with outdoor cafes in the summer.
The Author writes for Holiday Home Rentals who have a selection of Villas in Hauts-de-Seine and Villas in France which can be rented direct from their owners.


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Discover the Parks of Paris

Image via WikipediaAuthor: Paul Buchanan
If you're heading to Paris on a romantic getaway for two, the chances are you'll be looking for a few activities that will make your trip truly special, and nothing could be more special than spending some time in solitude, strolling through a beautiful Parisian park surrounded by flowers and gorgeous scenery.

There are plenty of excellent parks and gardens to visit in Paris, and each one brings its own brand of beauty and uniqueness to the table. It's certainly a good idea to visit one or two during your romantic getaway as you really will be able to enjoy a romantic sense of solitude rather than what you might experience in the city centre: crowds, kids and myriad other couples all doing their best to carve out some alone time of their own.



One of the most famous parks in Paris is Le Bois de Boulogne, a legendary park that was built using London's Hyde Park as its model. This vast and sprawling park invites couples to wander along its leafy paths, taking in beautiful scenes from nature as they while away the hours in idyllic settings.

The Jardin du Luxembourg is a favourite amongst locals and it's perfect for heading to for a nice long walk followed by a picnic. If you've been eyeing up other people's picnic baskets, the Luxembourg is certainly a good place to enjoy one of your own. Even in winter, this particular garden provides inspiring views and stunning snow-specked plantlife, making it the perfect place to visit year round.

For a little taste of culture, the Jardin des Tuileries can be found just west of the Louvre. This historical garden has seen a lot of action in the past - mostly bloody, however, so depending on the type of couple you are you may not think this is the best choice! Still, this particular, once royal, garden is filled with statues and monuments and is the perfect addition to any busy day in the city where a little quiet is needed. However, due to its position, the Jardin des Tuileries may not be the quietest of all the options.

When it comes to your romantic holiday in Paris, the number one factor that's going to make it romantic is you and your partner. However, that doesn't mean the scenery can't help, and if you'd love to enjoy spending time in some of the most romantic natural settings with your partner, you really can't go wrong by staying in hotels in Paris.
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About the Author
Paul Buchanan writes for a digital marketing agency. This article has been commissioned by a client of said agency. This article is not designed to promote, but should be considered professional content.