The lie de France -- the countryside around Paris -- is perhaps the most interesting and least-known of French regions. Its old towns hold the key to the history of France but have been so eclipsed by Paris that they now offer the paradox of being easily reached yet hardly touched by tourism. Annabel Simms, who has spent ten years discovering the region, now offers this splendid guide to a score of destinations within an hour of Paris. A suggested itinerary might include a chateau, a market, a riverside restaurant, a boat trip, a country walk. Better-known destinations include the chateaux of Chantilly, Ecouen, and Rambouillet, but the reader will also discover the Roman town of Senlis; the medieval town of Crecy-la-Chapelle, with its moats and canals; and the water mills of Moret-sur-Loing, which inspired the Impressionists. Each destination is described in detail, with particular emphasis on the historical, literary, and artistic connections, and maps and color illustrations complete this refreshingly unique guide.