History of Île-de-France facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Province of Île-de-France |
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| Capital | Paris |
| Demonym | Francie France |
| • Type | General Government |
The Île-de-France was a very important province of France. It was located in the north-central part of the country. This area included the city of Paris and its surroundings.
The province was bordered by several other regions. To the north was Picardy, and to the east was Champagne-Ardenne. Burgundy was to the southeast, Centre to the south, and Haute-Normandie to the northwest. Paris was its capital city. In 2006, the area was about 12,011 square kilometers (4,637 square miles). It had a population of around 11.5 million people.
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Where is Île-de-France?
This region is in the middle of the Paris Basin. It has flat areas made of limestone, with some gentle hills. The main river flowing through it is the Seine. Other important rivers that join the Seine are the Marne, Oise, and Aisne.
The historic province of Île-de-France covered several areas. These included Val-d’Oise, Seine-et-Marne, Seine-Saint-Denis, Paris, Hauts-de-Seine, Val-de-Marne, Essonne, and Yvelines. Today, some parts of the old province are in the Hauts-de-France region. Also, some parts of the current Île-de-France region used to be part of the historic province of Champagne.
Early History of Île-de-France
The story of Île-de-France goes way back to the Middle Ages. The name Isle de France was first written down in 1387. At that time, "France" referred to the lands directly owned by the king of France.
The name "Island of France" might come from how it's surrounded by rivers. The Seine, Oise, Marne, and Beuvronne rivers flow around it, making it look like an island. Another idea is that the name comes from an old Frankish phrase, Lidle Franke, meaning "little France."
This area around Paris was the king's personal land. It was different from lands ruled by powerful lords who answered to the king. For example, the Véxin Français was part of the king's land. But the Véxin Normand belonged to the Duke of Normandy.
Paris: A City of Revolutions
Paris, known as Lutetia in ancient times, was taken over by Julius Caesar in 52 BC. It grew into an important center under the Romans and in the early Middle Ages. In 987, Hugh Capet, who was the Count of Paris, became the king of France. Under his family, the Capetians, Paris became the official capital of the country.
The people of Paris were often known for being strong and wanting freedom. They declared themselves an independent city under Etienne Marcel between 1355 and 1358. The famous storming of the Bastille prison in 1789 was a key moment. It was the start of many important actions by Parisians during the French Revolution. Paris also played a big part in the revolutions of 1830 and 1848.
During World War I, German forces were stopped from reaching Paris. However, they occupied the city during World War II from 1940 to 1944. Paris also saw protests and violence during student riots in 1968.
Today, Paris is still a very important city. It keeps its unique character and charm. New buildings and projects have changed its look over time. These include the Beaubourg center and big building plans under President François Mitterrand. His projects included the La Défense arch, the Bastille Opéra, and the renovation of the Louvre museum. He also built the La Villette complex and the Bibliothèque de France, a huge modern library.
Plans for Paris and the surrounding region include large areas along the Seine River. New towns, parks, and industrial areas are being considered for this important river corridor.
Modern History of Île-de-France
In recent history, the way Île-de-France was governed changed a lot.
Forming the Paris Region
On February 4, 1959, the "District of the Paris Region" was created. This was done by a government order. However, it didn't work well because local towns and departments didn't want to send their representatives to its council.
So, the District of the Paris Region was created again on August 2, 1961. This time, it was made official by a law passed by the French Parliament. The borders of this new region were the same as today's Île-de-France region. A Board of Trustees managed the district. Half of its members were chosen by the government, and the other half by local towns and departments. A government official, called the Delegate General, ran the district.
On August 10, 1966, the Prefectures of the Paris Region were set up. Their borders matched those of the District. The Delegate General also became the Prefect of the Paris Region, holding both jobs. The district's name was changed slightly on December 17, 1966.
Becoming Île-de-France
The District of the Paris Region became the Île-de-France region on May 6, 1976. This made its status similar to other French regions. The Prefecture of the Paris Region was renamed Prefecture of Île-de-France. A new regional council replaced the old Board of Trustees. Most of its members were representatives from the local departments and towns. The rest were chosen by Members of Parliament from the region. The regional council elected a president, but this president had limited power. It is said that President Valéry Giscard d'Estaing personally chose the name "Île-de-France" for the region.
On March 2, 1982, Île-de-France, like other French regions, became a "territorial collectivity." This meant it changed from just an administrative area to a full political body. It became similar in status to departments and communes. The regions were given more power. People could directly vote for their regional councils. The presidents of these councils were given full executive powers.
The first direct election for the regional council by the people of Île-de-France happened on March 16, 1986. Since then, the region's power and importance have grown a lot. This was part of a process of giving more power to local regions in France.
