Paris City Guide
Key facts
- Capital of France and largest city
- One of top 3 most important cities in the world
- Called The City of Light and Capital of Fashion
- The Louvre is the world's most popular museumv
Paris tourist attraction
- The Eiffel Tower
- Notre Dame Cathedral
- Napoleon's Arc de Triomphe
- Sainte-Chapelle and the Conciergerie
- Sacré Coeur - spectacular views of the city
- Key art galleries: Musée D'Orsay, Musée Rodin, Pompidou Centre
- Key museums: Louvre, Hotel Invalides Military Museums, Rodin Museum
Climate
- Largely mild and moderately wet
- Summer - sunny and warm averaging 15 - 25ºC, occasional heat waves
- Spring and Autumn - mild and fresh
- Winter - cool and cloudy, averaging 7ºC.
History
An important settlement for more than two thousand years, Paris
takes its name from the original inhabitants - the Parisii, a
Celtic tribe. Romans conquered the area in 52 BC, creating a forum,
palaces and ampitheatre. Following recurrent plagues, the
Hundred Years War and the French Wars of Religion, Paris became
centre stage for the French Revolution with the storming of the
Bastille in 1789 and the destruction of the monarchy via the
infamous 'guillotine'. Upon Napoleon's defeat, the city was
conquered by the Russian Cossacks after which followed the
Restoration period and the accession to the throne of Louis XVIII
and Charles X. The French desire for independence once again led to
revolution and the Second Republic in 1848. The industrial
revolution brought railways and Haussman brought the wide
boulevards that replaced medieval winding streets. The Parisian
"Commune" government, in defiance of Versaille, was bloodily
defeated in 1871 thanks to these same boulevards. Decades later,
German army tanks rolled down the same streets during World War II.
A few years later, De Gaulle and the Free French entered Paris
through Napoleon's Arc De Triumph.
Culture
Parisian culture is unique and fascinating. Up until World War II
Paris was the world capital of culture. Art, literature, music,
philosophy fashion… artists, thinkers and creators from all over
the world lived in Paris and led the way. Picasso, Jean Paul
Sartre, James Joyce, Ernest Hemingway, Debussy, Poulenc. It was the
birthplace of cubism, surrealism, existentialism. Legends live on
today and innovations continue. No wonder there's so much for
visitors to enjoy today on their Paris city breaks in the art
galleries and museums and everywhere. The cuisine is also
outstanding, influenced by all the French regions are gastronomical
cultures. There are numerous iconic landmarks and world famous
institutions… take them all in on one of the many organised bike
rides and walks.
Must-see attractions
What to do in Paris? You have endless choice. Don't miss the
Eiffel Tower, created for the 1889 Universal Exposition. Famous
landmarks include Napoleon's Arc de Triomphe, Chataue de
Versailles, Notre Dame Cathedral, Saint Chapelle, Opera Garnier,
Pantheon, Sacré Coeur church, Centre Georges Pompidou, Picasso
Museum, Les Invaildes, Musée D'Orsay, Musée Rodin, Musée de
l'Orangerie.
Geography
Located on the River Seine in the heart of the Ile de France
region. Most of the city is flat but there are a few hills - the
highest is Montmatre at 130m.
Architecture
For centuries Paris was typified by medieval narrow streets and
half-timber houses, but the city was transformed in the 1850s under
Napoleon III to fulfil his neoclassical vision. Haussmann levelled
entire districts to create a network of wide boulevards and
neo-classical buildings. Today there are still restrictions over
the height of all buildings in the city… as a consequence the
skyline is magnificent and uncluttered.
Annual events
When you're deciding what to do in Paris, consider timing your
trip to coincide with one of the many major annual events. Fashion
Weeks take place in March and October, the French Tennis Open takes
place in May. Bastille Day is on 14th July with the Bastille
Parade. Also in July, the Tour de France cycling race starts and
ends in Paris.
Transport
It's easy to travel around to see all the Paris tourist
attractions. The RAPT control the Metro, three tramways, the
SNCF rail network and an extensive reliable bus network. Nearby
airports include Paris Charles de Gaulle, Orly and Beauvais.
Useful external links for Paris city breaks
http://wikitravel.org/en/Paris
Wikitravel Paris Guide
http://www.paris.fr Official
Paris website
http://www.eiffel-tower.us
Eiffel Tower official website
