Travel Guide to Paris, France Attractions - Paris, the cosmopolitan capital of France, is - with 2.2 million people living in the dense (105 km ²) central city and almost 12 million people living in the whole metropolitan area - one of the largest agglomerations in Europe. Located in the northern part of the country on the river Seine, Paris has the reputation of being the most beautiful and romantic of all cities, filled with historic associations and remaining highly influential in the realm of culture, art, fashion, food and design. Dubbed the City of Light (la Ville Lumière) and Capital of Fashion, it is home to the best and the world's most luxurious fashion designers and cosmetics, such as Chanel No.5, Christian Dior, Yves Saint-Laurent, Guerlain, Lancôme, L Oréal, Clarins, etc. most of the city, including the River Seine, is a UNESCO world Heritage Site. The city has the second-highest number of Michelin starred restaurants in the world (after Tokyo) and contains many iconic landmarks, such as the world's most visited tourist site the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Notre-Dame Cathedral, the Louvre Museum, Moulin Rouge, Lido etc, making it the most popular tourist destinations in the world with 45 million tourists every year.
Paris started life as the Celto-Roman settlement of Lutetia on the Île de la Cité, the island in the Seine currently occupied by the Cathedral de Notre Dame. It takes its present name from the name of the dominant Gallo-Celtic tribe in the region, the Parisii. At least that's what the Romans called them, when they appeared in 52 BCE and established their city Lutetia on the left bank of the Seine river, in what is now called the "Latin Quarter" in the 5th arrondissement.
Roman held here for anywhere else in the Western Empire, but by 508 CE they were gone, replaced by Clovis of the Franks, who are considered by the French has become their first king. Descendants of Clovis', aka the Carolingians, holding expanded Lutetian state for nearly 500 years through Viking attacks and other disasters, which ultimately resulted in a forced move by most of the population back to the islands which has become the center of the original Celtic village. Capetian Duke of Paris was chosen to replace the last of the Carolingians as King of France, ensuring the city a prime position in the medieval world. Over the next several centuries Paris expanded to the bank and the right to what is still called le Marais (The Marsh). Quite a few buildings of this period can be seen in the 4th arrondissement.
Medieval period also witnessed the founding of the Sorbonne. As the "University of Paris", it became one of the most important centers of learning in Europe - if not the whole world, for several hundred years. Most of the institutions that still constitute the University are found in 5, and 13 arrondissements.
At the end of the 18th century, there was a period of political and social upheaval in France and Europe, in which the French governmental structure, previously a monarchy with feudal rights for the aristocracy and Catholic clergy, radical changes to the forms based on Enlightenment principles of nationalism, citizenship, and the right human rights. Important events during and after the revolution was the storming of the Bastille 4th arrondissements, and the rise and fall of Napoleonic France. Out of the violent turmoil French Revolution, triggered by the still known Passion des Français, emerged the enlightened modern day France.
Paris when it was built long after the Capetian and later the French Bourbon Kings made their mark on Paris with the Louvre and Palais Royal, both at 1. In the 19th century, Baron von Hausmann set about reconstructing the city, by adding a long straight road and replace many medieval houses then existing, with majestic buildings and more uniform.
New wonders arrived during La Belle Epoque, the golden age of the late 19th century Paris is known. Gustave Eiffel's famous tower, the first line of the metro, most of the park, and street lights (which partly is believed to have given the city its nickname "city of light") all came from this period. Another source of the nickname comes from the Ville Lumière, a reference not only to the revolutionary electrical lighting system implemented in the streets of Paris, but also for excellence and aura of Enlightenment the city gained in that era.
Twentieth century was hard on Paris, but thankfully not as hard as it could have been. Hitler's orders to burn the city was thankfully ignored by the German General von Choltitz very likely to be convinced by a Swedish diplomat that it would be better to surrender and be remembered as the savior of Paris, than remembered as its destroyer. After the war, the city recovered quickly at first, but slowed in the late 1970s and early 1980s when Paris began to experience some of the problems faced by big cities everywhere: pollution, housing shortages, and occasionally failed in the experiment urban renewal.
During this time however, Paris enjoyed considerable growth as a multi-cultural city, with new immigrants from all over the world, especially La Francophonie, including most of northern and western Africa as well as Vietnam and Laos. These immigrants brought food and music, both of which are a major concern for many travelers.
Immigration and multi-culturalism continues in the 21st century with a marked increase in the influx of people from Latin America, especially Mexico, Colombia, and Brazil. In the late 1990s, it was difficult to find good Mexican food in Paris, whereas today there are dozens of possible lower taquerias in outer arrondissements to nice sit-down restaurant in the streets. While Latin music from salsa to samba is all the rage (well, alongside Paris electronica space).
The 21st century has also seen a huge increase in the general liveability Paris, with the Mayor's office concentrating on reducing pollution and improving facilities for soft forms of transportation including a huge network of cycle paths, pedestrian districts are larger and newer faster metro lines. Visitors who normally arrive car-less are the beneficiaries of this policy as much as Paris itself.
One of the best value and most convenient ways to see the sights of Paris with the Paris Museum Pass, pre-paid entry card that allows entry into over 70 museums and monuments around Paris (and the Palace of Versailles) and comes in 2 days (€ 39) , 4 day (€ 54) and 6 days (€ 69) denominations (prices per Apr 2012). This entry consecutive days. This card allows you to jump the queue length, a big plus during the holiday season when the lines can be vast, and is available from participating museums, tourist offices, Fnac branches and all the main Métro and RER train station. You still need to pay to enter most special exhibitions. To avoid waiting in long queues first to buy Museum Pass, stop to purchase your pass in advance a day or so after noon. Pass not become active until the first museum or visit the site when you write your start date. After that, the days covered are consecutive. Do not write your start date until you are sure you are going to use the day pass and be careful to use force date as shown on card: day / month / year.
Also consider ParisPass also pre-paid entry card + queue jumping to 60 attractions including The Louvre, Arc de Triomphe, as well as a river cruise and allows free metro & public transport travel. Also note a cheaper alternative with this new combined pass available since September 2008 is the Paris ComboPass ®, which comes in Lite / Premium versions.
Planning your visit: Some sites have "choke points" that limit the number of visitors that can flow through. These include: the Eiffel Tower, Sainte-Chapelle, The Catacombs and the steps to climb to the top of Notre Dame Cathedral. To avoid queues, you have to start your day by arriving at one of these sites at least 30 minutes before opening time. If not, expect to wait at least one hour. Most museums and galleries are closed on either Monday or Tuesday. Example: The Louvre Museum is closed on Tuesdays while Orsay museum is closed on Mondays. Be sure to check out the museum closing date to avoid disappointment. Also, most ticket counters close 30-45 minutes before final closing.
All national museum is open free of charge on the first Sunday of the month. However, this can mean long queues and crowded exhibits. Keep away from Paris during the Easter weekend because of crowding. People have to queue up at the Eiffel Tower for several hours even earlier in the morning. However, the wait can be greatly reduced, if appropriate, by walking the first two levels, then buy a lift ticket to the top. Entrance to the permanent exhibition in the city-run museum is free all the time (incoming charged for temporary exhibitions).
This list highlights just a few of the things that you really should see if you can during your visit to Paris. Complete listings are found on each individual district page (follow the link in brackets).
Listing both the current cultural events in Paris can be found in 'Pariscope' or 'Officiel des spectacles', weekly magazines listing all concerts, art exhibitions, films, stage plays and museums. Available from all kiosks.
Landmarks in Paris, France
Arc de Triomphe (8th) - The Arc de Triomphe exudes grandeur and offers views of downtown Métro / RER Charles de Gaulle-Etoile (1, 2, 6, A)
Catacombs (14) - Used to store the exhumed bones from the overflowing Paris cemetery. (There is a limit to the number of visitors allowed in the Catacombs at one time (200 people). So, if you arrive just after opening, you have to wait until someone came out, about 45-60 minutes, before the person is admitted). Métro Denfert-Rochereau (4, 6, B)
Château de Versailles (Versailles) - Must be seen. The most beautiful French chateau, on the outskirts of the city, easily visited by train. After returning to Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette. Versailles Rive Gauche RER (C)
Eiffel Tower (Tour Eiffel) (7) - No other monument that better symbolizes Paris. Métro Bir-Hakeim (6) or RER Champ de Mars-Tour Eiffel (C)
Grand Arche de la Défense (La Défense) - A modern variant of the office-building of the Arc de Triomphe. Métro / RER La Défense (1, A)
Notre Dame (4) - an impressive Gothic cathedral is the inspiration for Victor Hugo's novel The Hunchback of Notre Dame. Climb to the top! Métro Cité (4) or RER Saint-Michel-Notre Dame (B, C)
Opera Garnier (9th) - Masterpiece theater architecture of the 19th century built by Charles Garnier and inaugurated in 1875 housing Paris Opera since it was founded by Louis XIV. Métro Opéra (3, 7, 8)
Pantheon (5th) - Underneath, the final resting place for the great heroes of the French Republic including Voltaire, Victor Hugo, and Marie Curie, above, outstanding views of the city. Metro Cardinal Lemoine (10) or RER Luxembourg (B)
Père-Lachaise (20) - Nothing like a funeral in the world. Carved tombstones, monuments set among tree lined lane. See the tomb of Jim Morrison, Oscar Wilde, and Frederic Chopin, among many others. Métro Père Lachaise (2, 3)
Sacré Coeur (18) - A church perched on the highest point in Paris. Behind the church is the region artist ', in front of the view of the entire city. Métro Anvers (2) or Abbesses (12), then go up the stairs or take the Rue Foyatier moved up the hill.
Sainte Chapelle (1) - Exquisite stained glass chapel. More beautiful interior of Notre Dame Cathedral bleak. Métro Cité (4)
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| Eiffel Tower, Paris, France Image Credit : en.wikipedia.org |
Roman held here for anywhere else in the Western Empire, but by 508 CE they were gone, replaced by Clovis of the Franks, who are considered by the French has become their first king. Descendants of Clovis', aka the Carolingians, holding expanded Lutetian state for nearly 500 years through Viking attacks and other disasters, which ultimately resulted in a forced move by most of the population back to the islands which has become the center of the original Celtic village. Capetian Duke of Paris was chosen to replace the last of the Carolingians as King of France, ensuring the city a prime position in the medieval world. Over the next several centuries Paris expanded to the bank and the right to what is still called le Marais (The Marsh). Quite a few buildings of this period can be seen in the 4th arrondissement.
Medieval period also witnessed the founding of the Sorbonne. As the "University of Paris", it became one of the most important centers of learning in Europe - if not the whole world, for several hundred years. Most of the institutions that still constitute the University are found in 5, and 13 arrondissements.
At the end of the 18th century, there was a period of political and social upheaval in France and Europe, in which the French governmental structure, previously a monarchy with feudal rights for the aristocracy and Catholic clergy, radical changes to the forms based on Enlightenment principles of nationalism, citizenship, and the right human rights. Important events during and after the revolution was the storming of the Bastille 4th arrondissements, and the rise and fall of Napoleonic France. Out of the violent turmoil French Revolution, triggered by the still known Passion des Français, emerged the enlightened modern day France.
Paris when it was built long after the Capetian and later the French Bourbon Kings made their mark on Paris with the Louvre and Palais Royal, both at 1. In the 19th century, Baron von Hausmann set about reconstructing the city, by adding a long straight road and replace many medieval houses then existing, with majestic buildings and more uniform.
New wonders arrived during La Belle Epoque, the golden age of the late 19th century Paris is known. Gustave Eiffel's famous tower, the first line of the metro, most of the park, and street lights (which partly is believed to have given the city its nickname "city of light") all came from this period. Another source of the nickname comes from the Ville Lumière, a reference not only to the revolutionary electrical lighting system implemented in the streets of Paris, but also for excellence and aura of Enlightenment the city gained in that era.
Twentieth century was hard on Paris, but thankfully not as hard as it could have been. Hitler's orders to burn the city was thankfully ignored by the German General von Choltitz very likely to be convinced by a Swedish diplomat that it would be better to surrender and be remembered as the savior of Paris, than remembered as its destroyer. After the war, the city recovered quickly at first, but slowed in the late 1970s and early 1980s when Paris began to experience some of the problems faced by big cities everywhere: pollution, housing shortages, and occasionally failed in the experiment urban renewal.
During this time however, Paris enjoyed considerable growth as a multi-cultural city, with new immigrants from all over the world, especially La Francophonie, including most of northern and western Africa as well as Vietnam and Laos. These immigrants brought food and music, both of which are a major concern for many travelers.
Immigration and multi-culturalism continues in the 21st century with a marked increase in the influx of people from Latin America, especially Mexico, Colombia, and Brazil. In the late 1990s, it was difficult to find good Mexican food in Paris, whereas today there are dozens of possible lower taquerias in outer arrondissements to nice sit-down restaurant in the streets. While Latin music from salsa to samba is all the rage (well, alongside Paris electronica space).
The 21st century has also seen a huge increase in the general liveability Paris, with the Mayor's office concentrating on reducing pollution and improving facilities for soft forms of transportation including a huge network of cycle paths, pedestrian districts are larger and newer faster metro lines. Visitors who normally arrive car-less are the beneficiaries of this policy as much as Paris itself.
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| Paris Museum Pass |
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| Paris Museum Pass |
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| Paris Museum Pass Image Credit : 1-3 en.parismuseumpass.com |
Also consider ParisPass also pre-paid entry card + queue jumping to 60 attractions including The Louvre, Arc de Triomphe, as well as a river cruise and allows free metro & public transport travel. Also note a cheaper alternative with this new combined pass available since September 2008 is the Paris ComboPass ®, which comes in Lite / Premium versions.
Planning your visit: Some sites have "choke points" that limit the number of visitors that can flow through. These include: the Eiffel Tower, Sainte-Chapelle, The Catacombs and the steps to climb to the top of Notre Dame Cathedral. To avoid queues, you have to start your day by arriving at one of these sites at least 30 minutes before opening time. If not, expect to wait at least one hour. Most museums and galleries are closed on either Monday or Tuesday. Example: The Louvre Museum is closed on Tuesdays while Orsay museum is closed on Mondays. Be sure to check out the museum closing date to avoid disappointment. Also, most ticket counters close 30-45 minutes before final closing.
All national museum is open free of charge on the first Sunday of the month. However, this can mean long queues and crowded exhibits. Keep away from Paris during the Easter weekend because of crowding. People have to queue up at the Eiffel Tower for several hours even earlier in the morning. However, the wait can be greatly reduced, if appropriate, by walking the first two levels, then buy a lift ticket to the top. Entrance to the permanent exhibition in the city-run museum is free all the time (incoming charged for temporary exhibitions).
This list highlights just a few of the things that you really should see if you can during your visit to Paris. Complete listings are found on each individual district page (follow the link in brackets).
Listing both the current cultural events in Paris can be found in 'Pariscope' or 'Officiel des spectacles', weekly magazines listing all concerts, art exhibitions, films, stage plays and museums. Available from all kiosks.
 |
| Paris arc de Triomphe place de l'Etoile la nuit Image Credit : commons.wikimedia.org |
Arc de Triomphe (8th) - The Arc de Triomphe exudes grandeur and offers views of downtown Métro / RER Charles de Gaulle-Etoile (1, 2, 6, A)
Catacombs (14) - Used to store the exhumed bones from the overflowing Paris cemetery. (There is a limit to the number of visitors allowed in the Catacombs at one time (200 people). So, if you arrive just after opening, you have to wait until someone came out, about 45-60 minutes, before the person is admitted). Métro Denfert-Rochereau (4, 6, B)
Château de Versailles (Versailles) - Must be seen. The most beautiful French chateau, on the outskirts of the city, easily visited by train. After returning to Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette. Versailles Rive Gauche RER (C)
Eiffel Tower (Tour Eiffel) (7) - No other monument that better symbolizes Paris. Métro Bir-Hakeim (6) or RER Champ de Mars-Tour Eiffel (C)
Grand Arche de la Défense (La Défense) - A modern variant of the office-building of the Arc de Triomphe. Métro / RER La Défense (1, A)
Notre Dame (4) - an impressive Gothic cathedral is the inspiration for Victor Hugo's novel The Hunchback of Notre Dame. Climb to the top! Métro Cité (4) or RER Saint-Michel-Notre Dame (B, C)
Opera Garnier (9th) - Masterpiece theater architecture of the 19th century built by Charles Garnier and inaugurated in 1875 housing Paris Opera since it was founded by Louis XIV. Métro Opéra (3, 7, 8)
Pantheon (5th) - Underneath, the final resting place for the great heroes of the French Republic including Voltaire, Victor Hugo, and Marie Curie, above, outstanding views of the city. Metro Cardinal Lemoine (10) or RER Luxembourg (B)
Père-Lachaise (20) - Nothing like a funeral in the world. Carved tombstones, monuments set among tree lined lane. See the tomb of Jim Morrison, Oscar Wilde, and Frederic Chopin, among many others. Métro Père Lachaise (2, 3)
Sacré Coeur (18) - A church perched on the highest point in Paris. Behind the church is the region artist ', in front of the view of the entire city. Métro Anvers (2) or Abbesses (12), then go up the stairs or take the Rue Foyatier moved up the hill.
Sainte Chapelle (1) - Exquisite stained glass chapel. More beautiful interior of Notre Dame Cathedral bleak. Métro Cité (4)
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