Paris the City

Known as the “City of Light”, the French capital has long been a global centre. Its multiculturalism, Belle Epoque splendour and historical significance give the city its deserved reputation as a cultural hub in the Western world. In the 21st century, the city and suburbs’ twelve million inhabitants make Paris one of the largest and diverse conurbations in Europe.

Architecture and Sights
From the latter half of the nineteenth century to the First World War, the “Belle Epoque”, or “Beautiful Epoch” transformed Paris into the city it is today. Large-scale urban renewal, the Haussman Plan, gave the city its distinct boulevards, apartments and dramatic city planning. Paris hosted the world fair in 1889, which endowed the French capital with its most famous and singularly iconic image: the Eiffel Tower.

The historical axis brings together the city’s most iconic sites: the Arc de Triomphe, the Champs-Élysées and the Louvre. The latter is but one of the dozens of museums in Paris, but it is also arguably the most famous museum in the world. It houses Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa, the Venus de Milo and several other ancient artifacts and renaissance masterpieces. The Musée National d’Art Moderne, housed in the high-tech Centre Pompidou, is one of the largest collections of modern art in the world. Works by Picasso and Rodin have their own eponymous museums.

Getting around Paris is convenient thanks to the extensive metro system. Finding the right stations for all the sites can be done here: Museums and monuments.

Far from being just a city of modernity, the influence of medieval French Catholicism can be felt in the Gothic architecture of the Notre Dame Cathedral. Religion also literally towers over the city from the peak of Montmartre. The Basilique du Sacré-Cœur was built as the hill’s crown, as a symbol of healing after the socio-political turmoil of the 19th century. Beyond the city centre, Versailles beckons. Once a separate village playing host to a modest royal hunting lodge, King Louis XIV’s vanity transformed it into a court town with a palace of epic proportions in the course of the 17th century.

Haute Cuisine
Paris also has a justified reputation as the city for food-lovers. French cuisine is a global phenomenon, setting the standard for all Western cuisine. Dishes like Fruits de Mer, accompanied by French bread and wine are a delight for any visitor. From cafés, bistros, and brasseries to exclusive restaurants, the passion and professionalism of the city’s chefs means gastronomical enjoyment can be had at any budget. Find a restaurant