The Ichigaya, Iidabashi and Kagurazaka area is an international district with a distinctly French accent. Kagurazaka, with its cobbled lanes, is sometimes called "the Little Paris of Tokyo"; a French community has taken root here, and authentic bistros, the bakery PAUL and the French frozen-food shop Picard are dotted throughout. At its heart is the Institut français de Tokyo, the official French government institution founded in 1952, which offers French-language courses, film screenings and a specialist bookshop, and is open for anyone to drop by. CANAL CAFE, standing along the outer moat just by Iidabashi Station, is a popular spot for dining with a view of the water. Tokyo Daijingu, known for its associations with matchmaking, is close at hand, and old-town shopping streets sit comfortably alongside quiet residential blocks. Supermarkets and restaurants near the stations make everyday shopping easy. Both Ichigaya and Iidabashi stations are served by multiple lines, giving outstanding access across central Tokyo. A townscape in which Japanese and French culture blend so agreeably is easy for international residents to warm to, making this an area well suited to expatriates and their families who value an international outlook.