Why is the Ile-de-France surrounded by water?

I just took a boat ride down the Seine and was wondering why Notre-Dame de Paris is surrounded by water. I mean, why not build it somewhere where it won't sink...geez louise

In point of fact the Ile-de-France is NOT surrounded by water. What you must mean is the Ile de la Cite which is the island in the Seine upon which Notre Dame is found.

The answer is very simple. The city began on an island in the river because that was a safer place to be than on either bank. The site was chosen because it was easy to defend.

The church of Notre Dame came much later than the founding of the city. Construction began on it in 1160 while the city itself can be traced back to at least 4200 BC.

Thus, when it came time to build a cathedral it was natural to place it in the center of the city and the center of the city was on that island in the Seine and that had been there for some 5000 years.

In medieval times, cathedrals were also sanctuaries, and often fortresses. To build a sanctuary surrounded by water was for defense.

You must be an American, for only an American would make such an uncouth observation.

Ile-de-France.....means island of France.......its in the damn title!

Do you know what Ile-de-France is? There are almost 12 million people living in the district, which includes Paris and 7 other departments. It is over 4,500 square miles. Where is it going to sink?
That's like asking why they built Great Britain where it is, surrounded by water!
LOLOL!!

You are confusing Ile de France and Ile de La Cite (Ciy Island) where Notre Dame is located :)

The Ile De La Cite was where Paris 1st started to be built, and grew from there. As stated above, Paris, which is a medieval city, looked to be protected be being surrounded by fortifications and water.

The Ile De France is the whole area around Paris, which covers suburban areas too, but these suburbs are not part of the city at all.

Ile-de-France- the meaning is Island of France. It is an Island in the middle of the Seine, that is why it is surrounded by water. It is actually a seperate city apart from Paris, in reality. By building it on the Island it was thought to be a bit safer than being built on the mainland. It is safe, it is not going to sink. Actually, it is a fairly expensive part of Paris, and quite safe.

Notre Dame was built on an Island, it could not sink .
Paris was built along the Seine river
see it麓s history...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Notre_dame_...