Located in the north of the country on the river Seine, Paris has the reputation of being the
most beautiful and romantic of all cities, brimming with historic associations and
remaining vastly influential in the realms of culture, art, fashion, food and design. Dubbed
the City of Light, it is the most popular tourist destination in the world.
Paris is today one of the world's leading business and cultural centres, and its influence
in politics, education, entertainment, media, fashion, science and the arts all contribute to
its status as one of the world's major global cities.
Paris is the most popular tourist destination in the world, with over 30 million foreign
visitors per year. There are numerous iconic landmarks among its many attractions,
along with world famous institutions and popular parks.
The name Paris in French, derives from that of its pre-Roman-era inhabitants, the
Gaulish tribe known as the Parisii. The city was called Lutetia (/lutetja/) (more fully, Lutetia
Parisiorum, "Lutetia of the Parisii"), during the first- to sixth-century Roman occupation,
but during the reign of Julian the Apostate (361-363) the city was renamed as Paris.
Paris has many nicknames, but its most famous is "The City of Lights" (La Ville-lumière),
a name it owes both to its fame as a centre of education and ideas and its early adoption
of street-lighting.
The earliest archaeological signs of permanent habitation in the Paris area date from
around 4200 BC. The Parisii, a sub-tribe of the Celtic Senones, known as boatsmen and
traders, inhabited the area near the river Seine from around 250 BC
. The Romans conquered the Paris basin in 52 BC, with a permanent
settlement by the end of the same century on the Left Bank Sainte Geneviève Hill and the Île de la Cité island. The Gallo-Roman town was originally called Lutetia, but later
Gallicised to Lutèce. It expanded greatly over the following centuries, becoming a
prosperous city with a forum, palaces, baths, temples, theatres and an amphitheatre. The
collapse of the Roman empire and the third-century Germanic invasions sent the city into
a period of decline. By 400 AD Lutèce, by then largely abandoned by its inhabitants, was
little more than a garrison town entrenched into the hastily fortified central island. The city
reclaimed its original appellation of "Paris" towards the end of the Roman occupation.
Around AD 500, Paris was the capital of the Frankish king Clovis I, who commissioned
the first cathedral and its first abbey dedicated to his contemporary, later patron saint of
the city, Sainte Geneviève. On the death of Clovis, the Frankish kingdom was divided, and
Paris became the capital of a much smaller sovereign state. By the time of the
Carolingian dynasty (9th century), Paris was little more than a feudal county stronghold.
The Counts of Paris gradually rose to prominence and eventually wielded greater power
than the Kings of Francia occidentalis. Odo, Count of Paris was elected king in place of
the incumbent Charles the Fat, namely for the fame he gained in his defence of Paris
during the Viking siege (Siege of Paris (885-886)). Although the Cité island had survived
the Viking attacks, most of the unprotected Left Bank city was destroyed; rather than
rebuild there, after drying marshlands to the north of the island, Paris began to expand
onto the Right Bank. In 987 AD, Hugh Capet, Count of Paris, was elected King of France,
founding the Capetian dynasty which would raise Paris to become France's capital
PLACE TO VISIT
Paris Museum Pass - a pre-paid entry card that allows entry into over 70
museums and monuments around Paris and comes in 2-day (€30), 4-day (€45) and 6-
day (€60) denominations (prices as of March 2007). The card allows you to jump
otherwise sometimes lengthy queues and is available from participating museums,
tourist offices, Fnac branches and all the main Métro and RER train stations. You will still
need to pay to enter most special exhibitions.
Note that most museums and galleries are closed on either Monday or Tuesday - check
ahead to avoid disappointment! - and most ticket counters close 30 - 45 minutes before
final closing.
The Eiffel Tower - The symbol of Paris and one of the most famous landmarks in
the world. Built by Gustave Eiffel in 1887-1889, the tower was almost torn down in 1909
and only saved due to its use as a telegraphy antenna. A "must see" if you go to Paris.
Queues can be very long, however.
Les Invalides - founded in 1671 by Louis XIV as a hospital for 6000 war-wounded
soldiers - this function explaining the name of the building - the golden-domed Hôtel des
Invalides still functions as an infirmary and now also houses the Musée de l'Armée The
church attached, l'Eglise du Dôme, houses the tomb of Napoleon.
Père-Lachaise Cemetery - probably the most visited graveyard in any Western
city, the vast Père-Lachaise features literally thousands of often elaborately-decorated
graves separated by narrow lanes and avenues. The roll-call of famous burials includes:
Chopin, Champollion, Sarah Bernhardt, Edith Piaf, Oscar Wilde, Delacroix, Bizet, Proust,
Balzac, Colette, Molière and Jim Morrison of The Doors.
Parisian Catacombs - one of the most eye-popping sights of Paris, the
Catacombs represent a network of labyrinthine tunnels, first excavated in the Roman
period, that now house the remains of over 6 million burials removed here from the
various overcrowded cemeteries and charnel houses all over Paris in the late 18th and
early 19th centuries. Well worth a visit: the atmosphere is suitably morbid and gloomy
(without being too scary), the dark tunnels containing neatly stacked piles of skulls and
long bones. Currently closed for renovation until March 2008.
l'Arc de Triomphe - This iconic triumphal arch forms the focus of the main east-
west road axis of Paris, running between the Louvre and the Grande Arche de la Défense
in the west. The monument was commissioned by Napoleon in 1806 as a tribute to his
victories as Emperor of France - it was finally completed in 1836, long after his death. 50
m (150 ft) high and 45 m wide, the Arc de Triomphe is decorated with battle scenes and
martial sculptures that includes La Marseillaise by Rude. More recently, the Tomb of the
Unknown Soldier was placed beneath the arch in 1920, where an eternal flame burns in
tribute to the French dead of both World Wars. The arch is surrounded by a large
roundabout, aptly known as l'Etoile - 'the star' - with 12 thoroughfares leading off from it.
Visitors can purchase a ticket to climb to the top of the arch, from where magnificent
views spread out over western Paris. Admission to a small museum devoted to the
history and meaning of the monument is included. The central island and the arch are
accessed by an underground passage. Do not attempt to negotiate by foot the busy multi-
lane road that rings the Arc de Triomphe, which many Parisian drivers seem to consider
their own personal speedway.
La Madeleine - one of the best-known and most beautiful churches in Paris, in the
guise of a Corinthian order Classical temple. Construction started in 1764, although the
church was not finally consecrated until 1845. The Madeleine has a lavish interior of
marble and gold.
Notre Dame Cathedral - Impressive Gothic cathedral that was the inspiration for
Victor Hugo's novel The Hunchback of Notre Dame. Saved in the 19th century by the best-
known french architect Viollet-le-Duc.
Sacré Coeur - A church perched on top of the highest point in Paris. Behind the
church is the artists' area, in front are spectacular views of the whole city.
Sainte Chapelle - Far more beautiful than the famous, but gloomy, Notre Dame.
Make sure you go an a sunny day, as the highlight of this small chapel in Rayonnante
Gothic style are the large stained-glass windows which soar up to near the vaulted
ceiling. Also of interest is the extremely ornate lower level. If it happens to be rainy or
cloudy, give Sainte Chappelle a miss, as the play of colored lights on the floor are well
worth the wait for a sunnier day.
Panthéon - Originally conceived by Louis XV as a grand neo-Classical church
honouring St. Geneviève, the patron saint of Paris. After the Revolution, the building was
converted into a mausoleum for the great philosophers, military, artists, scientists and
heroes of the French Republic. Occupants of the crypt include Voltaire, Rousseau, Victor
Hugo, Zola, the Curies and, most recently, Alexandre Dumas (reinterred here in 2002).
The view from the dome (206 steps) is marvellous, check tour departure time at the
information desk. A fascinating reconstruction of Foucault's Pendulum also hangs within
the Panthéon. 7€
WHAT TO DO
Bike About Tours - offers an insiders look at the 'city of light' with local, English-
speaking guides who have lived in Paris for years. This small bike tour company gives 3
tours everyday at 10am, 3pm, & 7pm from the Chalemagne statue in front of Notre Dame
Cathedral. They stay away from the touristy Paris and show you the 'real' Paris.
Paris from above - Check out the skyline from the roofs of Printemps, the Galeries
Lafayette. There's also a hot air balloon at Parc André Citroën (south-western Paris). It
doesn't operate on windy days, though.
Ô Chateau - Paris Wine Tasting . Discover French Wines variety and
specificity with a native French Sommelier. Informative, relaxing and fun. In English in a
beautiful parisian loft.
Cooking class - HANDS-ON French Cooking Classes in a relaxed atmosphere with
an experienced French chef. 4 hours of fun, including; Market visit, cheese and wine
tasting, 5 minutes from the sacre-coeur in the heart of Montmartre.
EVENTS
Techno parade - During mid-September DJs and (usually young) fans from across
Europe converge on Paris for five or six days of dancing etc. culminating in a parade
whose route traces roughly from Pl. de Bastille to the Sorbonne.
Inline Skating - Every Friday night and Sunday afternoon (except when raining)
hordes of inline skaters take to the streets of Paris on a preplanned route, for about 3.5
hours. The trip is speedy; you will have to negotiate some real slopes. You must be good
at skating if you want to join.Even if you don't participate, find a cafe near the route and
watch them fly by.
Bastille Day - falls on July 14th and celebrates the beginning of the French
revolution. The day in particular falls on the anniversary of the storming of the Bastille
prison by Parisians. Paris hosts several spectacular events on the day.
Bastille Parade - The parade is held on the Champs-Élysées at 10:00 AM.The
entire street will be crowded with spectators so arrive early.
Bastille Day Fireworks - An exceptional treat to travellers lucky enough to be in
town on Bastille Day is the fireworks display. The Office du Tourisme et des Congress de
Paris recommends gathering around the gardens of the Eiffel Tower.
HOW TO REACH
By plane - Paris is served by three international airports - for more information,
including arrival/departure times, check the official sites.
Charles de Gaulle International Airport to the north-east of the city is one of the
major hub airports of Europe. It's notoriously confusing, so allow plenty of time for
transfers. There are three terminals: Terminal 1, Terminal 2 (which is huge and
subdivided into 2A through 2F), and Terminal 3 (formerly T9). The free CDGVAL shuttle
train connects the terminals together. Everything at this airport is very expensive and
especially the basics like food. There are also hardly any benches around.
Orly International Airport to the south-west of the city, and served by a southern
branch of the RER-B line. This older international airport is used mainly by Air France for
national lines, and other international carriers in Europe. Orly is roughly forty minutes
from Paris via the OrlyBus, which departs from Métro Denfert-Rochereau; the price is €6.
Another option is bus 285 that takes you to the Villejuif - Louis Aragon metro station (ligne
7) in 15 minutes. Bus 285 costs €1.5 and runs every 10 minutes, stopping at airport level
-1.
Beauvais to the north of the city, is a smaller regional airport that is used by some low-
cost carriers, such as RyanAir (list flights). The airport operates a shuttle service
connecting with the Métro at Porte Maillot station. Buses leave 20 minutes after each flight
arrives, and a few hours before each flight departs. This is important: you should be there
waiting for the bus around three hours and fifteen minutes before your flight, and the bus
stop has no facilities, it's just a parking lot! However, there are a number of fast food
outlets, shops and toilets at the Palais des Congres building situated across the road.
Exact times can be found on the Beauvais Airport website. The journey will take about an
hour in good traffic conditions, and costs €13 each way
By train - There are several stations serving Paris. You will probably want to know in
advance at which station your train is arriving, so as to better choose a hotel and plan for
transport within the city.
By bus - Eurolines is a transeuropean bus company that offers trips to Paris.
By car - Several autoroutes link Paris with the rest of France: A1 and A3 to the north, A5
and A6 to the south, A4 to the east and A13 and A10 to the west. Not surprisingly traffic
jams are significantly worse during French school holidays. Online visual traffic
information is available at http://www.sytadin.equipement.gouv.fr/.
The multi-lane highway around Paris, called the Périphérique, is probably preferable to
driving through the center. Another beltway nearing completion La Francilienne loops
around Paris about 10 km further out from the Périphérique.
It is advised not to drive in the Paris Metro Area. It is better to drive to a metro station with a parking lot and then use the metro to continue your trip throughout Paris. Most of Paris' roads were created long before the invention of automobiles
