Paris Travel

Paris

Paris is France's capital and largest city, straddling the river Seine in the northern centre of its country. Paris is also capital and one of eight departements of the Ile-de-France administrative region. As one of the main cultural and political centres in Europe since the High Middle Ages, Paris contains many vestiges from its past including numerous art galleries, museums and theatres. Nicknamed "the City of Light" (la Ville Lumiere) since the 19th century, Paris also has a reputation as a "romantic" city. The most recognisable symbol of Paris is the 324 metre (1,063 ft) brown metal Eiffel Tower located on the banks of the Seine. Paris is also internationally renowned for its defining neo-classical architecture and its influence in fashion and the arts. It is often listed as one of the four major global cities along with New York, London and Tokyo, and is at present the world's most visited city. more...

National name: Paris
Region: Ile-de-France
Mayor: Bertrand Delanoe
Land area: 105.397 sq.km
Population: 2,107,700 million (city); 11,200,000 million (metropolitan area).
Ethnic mix: European majority, with North African, Indochinese and Basque minorities. Religion: 90% Roman Catholic, 6% non-denominational, 2% Protestant, 1% Jewish, 1% Muslim (North African workers).

History of Paris

The history of Paris spans over 2,000 years, during which time the city grew from a small Celtic settlement to the multicultural capital of a modern European state.The region around Paris was settled from about 250 BC, by the Celtic Parisii who were known as boatmen and traders. They established a settlement by the River Seine to control river commerce. There is dispute about the exact location of the settlement, traditionally assumed to be on the Ile de la Cite, but now placed by many historians near Gare d'Austerlitz. Rome conquered the region in 52 BC and built the city of Lutetia on the Left Bank Sainte Genevieve Hill as this area was protected from river floods. Lutetia expanded and prospered during the ensuing period of peaceful Gallo-Roman cohabitation, but third-century Germanic invasions caused a period of decline. By 400 AD Lutetia had been reduced to a garrison town entrenched in the hastily fortified central island. The city reclaimed its original name of "Paris" towards the end of the Roman occupation. more...

Also Read: A Brief insight in The Econsomy of Paris | Demographics of Paris | Administration of Paris | Tourist Attractions of Paris | Nightlife in Paris | Culture of Paris | Museums of Paris

Facts for Travellers

Government of Paris

Government of Paris

Geography and Climate of Paris

Paris is located at 48°52'00?N, 2°19'59?E (48.866667, 2.333056). The city straddles a north-bending arc of the river Seine, which features two inhabited islands, the Ile Saint-Louis and the larger Ile de la Cite which is the heart and origin of the city. The altitude of Paris varies, with several prominent hills, of which the highest is Montmartre at 130 metres (426½ ft) above sea level. The highest elevation in the urban area of Paris is in the Forest of Montmorency (Val-d'Oise departement), 19.5 km. (12 miles) north-northwest of the center of Paris as the crow flies, at 195 metres (640 ft) above sea-level. more...

Shopping in Paris

The Parisian ideal is elegant rather than funky. Trends come and go but Paris is always at the forefront and there are few cities where you can find so many top-quality designers. These include some British designers - John Galliano at Dior, Julian McDonald at Givenchy and McDonald's predecessor, Alexander McQueen, as well as that ever-controversial Frenchman, Jean-Paul Gaultier, with his own store near Bastille. The exclusive designer shops are in the 8th, enclosed in the golden triangle formed by avenue des Champs-Elysees, avenue Montaigne and rue François1er and along rue du Faubourg St-Honore. more...

Boutiques, Department Stores and Hotels of Paris

Paris is famous for gastronomical establishments like Fauchon (delicatessen), near the Eglise de la Madeleine, or Berthillon (ice cream) on Ile-Saint-Louis. Its department stores, e.g. Galeries Lafayette, Samaritaine (currently closed) or Printemps, are remarkable not only for the wide range of items they sell but also for their 19th-century or Art Nouveau architecture. Paris also hosts a number of famous hotels. The most prestigious are probably the Hotel de Crillon on Place de la Concorde, and the nearby Hotel Ritz Paris on Place Vendome. Paris is home to some of the most famous and luxurious brand names in the fashion industry like Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Hermes, Dior and Givenchy.

Sports in Paris

Paris's main sports clubs are the football club Paris Saint-Germain, the basketball team Paris Basket Racing and the rugby union club Stade Français. The 80,000-seat Stade de France was built for the 1998 FIFA World Cup and is used for football and rugby. Paris also hosted the 1900 and 1924 Olympic Games. Although the starting point and the route of the famous Tour de France varies each year, the final stage always finishes in Paris and since 1975, the race has finished on the Champs-Elysees.

Also Read: Transport in Paris | Districts in Paris | Language in Paris | Food and Dining in Paris | Getting Around in Paris | Getting There | Cost of Living | Sightseeing in Paris | Paris Excursions | Weather in Paris

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