Ile de France, France

Black and White pictures by QT Luong

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The region around Paris, called Ile de France since it is delimited by five rivers, was the historic craddle of the kingdom of France. Exceptional historical sights include the grandest and most famous palace in France, Versailles, built to illustrate the power of the French king Louis XIV at the height of the French Monarchy, and the Fontainebleau Palace, used by kings of France since the 12th century, and transformed by Francois I with Renaissance influences. Modernity is represented by the futuristic cityscape of La Defense. The Versailles and Fontainebleau palaces and parks are both UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

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