Yvelines

Situated southwest of Paris, Yvelines is resplendent with historic French architecture, magnificent museums and innumerable natural wonders. Famed for its UNESCO-listed Palace of Versailles (the former royal residence commissioned by King Louis XIV) this charismatic department boasts dozens of beautiful châteaux set in impeccably manicured gardens. When you’re not exploring its opulent homes, make your way through Yvelines 40 museums or explore the superb Espace Rambouillet, a 250-hectare forested park filled with deer, eagles and wild boar. Day-trippers can venture to Paris, the City of Love, to see its many iconic landmarks like the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame Cathedral, Sacré-Cœur Basilica and the Arc de Triomphe.

Foodies will relish Yvelines’ epicurean wonders, from its lavish Michelin-starred restaurants and quaint little patisseries to its picturesque wineries like Domaine La Bouche du Roi. If you’re into the desserts, nothing beats a visit to Nicolas Saussereau Artisan Chocolatier. Their cocoa-dusted hazelnuts are the stuff dreams are made of.