Paris

 

 

Description of Paris

Location: Île-de-France region  Map

Paris is the capital of France and its most populous city. Capital of the region of the Isle of France (or "Parisian Region"), it is constituted in the only unidepartamental commune of the country. It is located on both banks of a long meander of the Seine River, in the center of the Parisian basin, between the confluence of the Marne River and the Seine, upstream, and the Oise and the Seine, downstream. The city of Paris, within its narrow administrative limits, has a population of 2 273 305 inhabitants in 2015. However, in the twentieth century, the metropolitan area of ​​Paris expanded beyond the limits of the municipality of Paris, and is today, with a population of 12 405 426 inhabitants in 2013, the second metropolitan area of ​​the European continent (after London) and the 28th in the world.

During the nineteenth and twentieth centuries together with the city of London, Paris was the center of development of architectural projects within the framework of the Industrial Revolution and its famous exhibitions. Examples are: the Mercado de la Madeleine, in 1824; the Great Halles started in 1853, the Galerie des Machines and the Eiffel Tower both made in the Paris exhibition of 1889.

 

It is also known as the "Light City" (Ville lumière), it is the most popular tourist destination in the world, with more than 42 million foreign visitors per year.It has many of the most famous and admired monuments in the world: Eiffel Tower, the Notre Dame Cathedral, the Avenue des Champs Elysees, the Arc de Triomphe, the Basilica of the Sacré Cœur, the Palace of the Invalides, the Pantheon, the Arch of Defense, the Garnier Opera or the Montmartre district , among others. It also houses world-renowned institutions: the Louvre, the Musée d'Orsay and the National Museum of Natural History of France, as well as an extensive system of higher education of international prestige. Paris occupies an important place in the field of culture, gastronomy, fashion and luxury.

 

Travel Destinations in Paris

 

Ile de La Cite and Ile St.- Louis (Paris)
The history of Paris began on the Ile de la Cite, an island formed by two meanders of the Seine. Inhabited by the Gallic tribe of Paris in the 3rd century BC and captured in 52 BC. e. the Romans under the command of Caesar, Ile de la Cite was the center of river trade and the center of political and religious power. Some impressive evidence of this power can still be seen in Conciergerie, a medieval palace that has turned into a prison. Saint-Chapelle is a small church with glittering stained glass windows; and at Notre Dame, the island’s world famous Gothic cathedral. There are also charming fragments of another old time among the tiny stone houses and narrow streets in the Ancien-Cloetret quarter, as well as around the picturesque du Wert Galant square and the ancient Dauphiné square. However, most of the island’s historical heritage has been destroyed in the last few centuries. The St. Louis Bridge leads to the smaller St. Louis Island. Here you will find a charming 17th century oasis with beautiful trees, elegant mansions and the legendary Maison Berthillon ice cream shop.   Ile de La Cite Notre- Dame
Sainte- Chapelle Crypte Archeologique	Musee de Notre Dame de Paris Paris Memorial de la Deportation Conciergerie

 

 

Tuileries Quarter (Paris)
Located in the 1st arrondissement, the Tuileries district is a classic Paris, with huge squares, religious buildings and gourmet restaurants. The Tuileries got its name from the tile factories that stood on this site when Queen Catherine de Medici built her palace. The Tuileries are now known for their beautiful sculpted gardens, which are located along the Seine from Place de la Concorde to the Louvre. Stop at the Musee de l'Orangeri or stroll through the main streets of the area, such as Rue St-Honoré, full of designer boutiques and Rue de Rivoli, with its bookstores, luxury hotels and stunning views on the gardens. Palace Royal is worth a visit because of its magnificent architecture and the famous inner courtyard, or you should visit the theater production in Comedie Francaise.
Musee du Louvre	Jardin des Tuileries   Musee de l'Orangerie Jardin des Tuileries, Place de la Concorde Tel. 01-42 97 48 16 Subway: Concorde www.paris.fr/musees

 

St- Germain- des- Pres (Paris)
The intellectuals of the 1950s may have gone down in history, but the area is still famous for its young student atmosphere and literary traditions. Book stores, museums, art galleries and historic cafes such as the Café de Flore, Les Deux Magots and Le Procope are now overflowing with tourists, fashionistas and executive publications. The Museum d'Orsay, located on the former railway station, is the most famous museum in this area of Paris. On the street Bonaparte-Rou Bonaparte (Rue Bonaparte) stands the prestigious National School of Supeerie des Beaux-Arts, where many famous artists studied. Rue de Seine is known for its charming restaurants and its many high-level galleries, where locals and visitors of Paris acquire their art. The window displays of the great couturiers compete with each other on Boulevard Saint-Germain and the surrounding streets.
St- Germain- des- Pres	Musee d'Orsay (Paris) 1 Rue de Bellechasse Tel. 01-40 49 49 78 Subway: Solferino Busses: 24, 68, 69, 84 Open: Tue- Sun Closed: Jan 1, May 1, Dec 25 www.musee-orsay.fr

 

Latin Quarter (Paris)
The Latin Quarter, located on the Left Bank, extends to the 5th and 6th districts. This is one of the oldest and most famous areas of Paris. This lively area radiates the charm of a former bohemian life. It originated in the Middle Ages as a student quarter at the time when the University of Sorbonne began to attract scientists from all over Europe. The Latin Quarter still has a significant student presence. The Latin Quarter was built on the boulevards of Saint-Germain and Saint-Michel, most of this area - a maze of tiny streets, paved with cobblestones, leading to the medieval garden or the ancient church. Many of these charming streets, such as Rue du Cat Peche (Rue du Chat qui Pêche) and Rue S. Jacques (Rue St-Jacques), are probably the oldest in Paris. Now these are pedestrian roads full of small cafes, ethnic boutiques and used bookstores. Saint-André des Arts, an old meeting place for French artists, is also home to the fascinating Cluny Museum, set in old Roman baths and filled with colorful artifacts and works of art.
Pantheon

 

Le Marais (Paris)
Mare or Marais turned from a royal enclave in the 17th and 18th centuries into a wasteland during the revolution. In the end, intercepted by artists and shopkeepers, this area has now emerged from the period of desolation. Here, fashionable restaurants, bars and chic boutiques were built, and the rise in real estate prices forced many local residents to be leave this are. Its elegant mansions, world-class museums and art galleries such as the Picasso Museum, the Carnazhalet Museum and the Victor Hugo House make it a must-see. Jewish quarter of Paris was once established, with its small cafes and cobbled streets. Marais is also the heart of the Parisian gay community.

 

Beaubourg and Les Alles (Paris)
Squeezed between the Tuileries and the Marais, Beaubourg and Les Alles (Les Halle) are busy with shops, restaurants and attractions. The area mixes modern and old - in one minute you can be in front of the Center Pompidou, an architectural marvel with the highest industrial design of scaffolding, pipes and steel canals. Walking along Le Al, also known as the “Belly of Paris”, it is worth remembering that this is an old shopping center, where there was an 800-year-old food market, which once provided food for the city. Since then, it has turned into a huge underground shopping center, called Forum Le Al, with shops, cinemas and even a swimming pool. Attractions in the area include the Church of St. Eustachia, inspired by Notre Dame and Rue Montorgueil, a pedestrian area with grocery stores, terraces and trendy bars.

 

Jardin des Plantes (Paris)
Founded in 1626 as a royal garden of medicinal plants, this peaceful area of ​​Paris soon became a scientific laboratory and botanical research center. It is dominated by the Garden of Plants (Jardin des Plantes), but it also has three galleries of the Museum of Natural History, a small zoo and a botanical school. Do not miss the daily market at Rue Mouffetard, where you can buy cheese and wine, and then enjoy a picnic in the gardens. Another quiet respite from the busy city is the Institut du Monde Arabe, with a panoramic view of the Seine and Notre Dame.

 

Luxembourg Quarter (Paris)
This area of ​​Paris, located between Saint-Germain-des-Prés and the Latin Quarter, has its unique charm of winding streets, beautiful buildings, bookstores and art galleries. From the asceticism of the Palace of Luxembourg, home of the French Senate, to the tranquility of the magnificent church of Saint Sulpice, this is a very popular part of Paris. Nevertheless, it is in this area that the Garden of Luxembourg dominates, one of the most beautiful sights of the city. Inspired by the Boboli gardens in Florence, it was built by order of Marie de Medici in 1612. The garden attracts with its wide lawns, charming fountains and magnificent sculptures. The spectacular smell of orchids and rose gardens, outdoor exhibitions and traditional boule games that play in the shade of chestnuts add to the tranquility of this area.
Jardin du Luxembourg

 

Montparnasse (Paris)
This historic district of Paris takes its name from Mount Parnassus in Greece, the birthplace of Apollo, the god of poetry and music. After 1910, the artistic community of Paris moved from Montmartre to Montparnasse, where they often visited cafes such as La Closerie de Lilas and La Dome. Today, Montparnasse still attracts a prestigious, intellectual and arctic crowd that gathers in legendary cafes and art galleries such as the Cartier Foundation. The building itself is the same work of art as the exhibitions themselves. The Montparnasse Tower (Tour de Montparnasse) offers a panoramic view of the city, and the Montparnasse Cemetery is the burial place for some famous artists and writers who have gathered here, such as Jean-Paul Sartre, Simone de Beauvoir and Man Ray.

 

Invalides (Paris)
Located on the left bank of the Seine, this quarter of Paris is in the 7th arrondissement. It is full of magnificent government buildings: Members of Parliament make laws in the Assembly of the National Palace of the Bourbons, copied over the Palace of Versailles, and the Prime Minister lives in the elegant Hotel Matignon. The Invalides Hotel, with its stunning golden dome, was built as a military hospital and home for the veterans of the French War. It now houses the tomb of Napoleon and several museums of military history. But the reason why most people visit this area is, of course, the Eiffel Tower, which offers a beautiful view of Paris.
Eiffel Tower   Musee Rodin 77 Rue de Bellechasse Tel. 01-40 49 49 78 Subway: Solferino Busses: 24, 68, 69, 84	Les Invalides Subway: La Tour-Maubourg Varenne Busses: 28, 49. 63, 69

 

Chaillot (Paris)
The quarter of Chaillot was just a village before joining Paris in the 19th century. This exclusive area is now known for its wide avenues, stately mansions and embassies, as well as elegant shops. The fall of the empire put an end to Napoleon’s plans to build a palace for his son on Shilo Hill, but later this section was used for the Trocadero Palace, built for the 1878 Universal Exhibition. There are three museums here, including the Museum of Modern Art, the Aquarium and the National Theater of Chaillot. Nearby is the Museum of Modern Art, in the vast palace of Tokyo.

 

Champs- Elysees (Paris)
There are several main reasons for visiting this former swamp - shopping, dining and entertainment. Wide street Elysee fields is one of the most prominent and famous streets in the world. While this famous avenue dominates this part of the city, small streets should not be missed. So on the street Saint-Honore is the presidential palace d'Elise. This area has equal interest in its historical and cultural attractions, such as the monumental Triumphal Arch, Art Nouveau Grand Palais, which hosts exhibitions and Petit Palais, where the Museum of Fine Arts de Paris is located.
Champs- Elysees (Paris)	Arc de Triomphe (Paris)

 

Opera (Paris)
Famous for its boulevards and Opera Garnier, this area of ​​Paris has the grandeur of the 19th century, exemplified by the urban planning and architecture of Baron Osmann. Driving through the district, on the boulevards Madeleine, Capuchin, Italian and Montmartre, there are a number of high-class enterprises, restaurants and shops, from chic shops to characteristic shopping arcades. During the day, this area is rather a business center, its streets are full of bankers, publishers, editors, and, of course, buyers. The heart of the quarter is the world-famous opera house with a magnificent ceiling by Chagall. The clusters around the Grand Boulevards are historic covered corridors with their steel and glass roofs. The most luxurious of them is the gallery Vivien, which has luxury boutiques and shops. Over the years, many musicians and singers took part in the Olympia concert hall, including Edith Piaf, Johnny Holliday, The Beatles, Judy Garland, Supremes and Madonna.

 

Montmartre (Paris)
A separate village outside of Paris, Montmartre still retains its charm, with narrow winding streets, a café, a tiny vineyard and beautiful views of the city. At the end of the 19th century, this area of ​​the local Bohemia had a reputation for free living, as well as low-cost housing, which turned the area into a magnet for artists, writers, and intellectuals. Still standing, Bateau-Lavoir was a common studio and home to artists such as Matisse, Picasso and many others. At present, this creative spirit lives in the Place du Tertre and around the massive Sacre-Coeur, where street artists live.

 

Paris Outskirts and Suburbs (Paris)
Away from the center of Paris, but still inside the Peripheris ring road there are many parks. Former working districts turned into bohemian villages with old markets and online stores. Bois de Boulogne and Bois de Vincennes are the city’s two largest public parks, with ponds, flower gardens and children's entertainment.
Basilique Saint Denis Bois de Boulogue Chateau de Fountainbleau Chateau de Vaux- le- Viconte Chateau de Versailles	Cimetier du Pere Lachaise La Defense Disney land Montmartre Parc de la Villette

 

 

 

History of Paris

Prehistory and Antiquity
A permanent habitat is attested within the limits of present-day Paris from the hunting season (between 4,000 and 3,800 BC) in the village of Bercy ; the remains of three canoes Neolithic visible today Carnavalet Museum have been found on the left bank of an old arm of the Seine in the 12th district , where human presence seems to have been continuous during the Neolithic.

In general, the history of the Paris site is poorly known until the Gallo-Roman period . Only certainty, the Parisii , one of the 98 Gallic peoples , live on this region in 52 BC, at the time of conquest by the Ancient Roman Empire. Thus, we do not exactly know the location of the Gallic city mentioned in the Latin sources: it could be the island of the Cite (no archaeological remains prior to Augustus has however been found), the ' Ile Saint-Louis , another island today attached to the left side or the site Nanterre, where was discovered in 2003 a large ordered agglomeration. In all cases, the Roman city extends on the left bank and on the Ile de la Cité; it takes the name of Lutetia (Lutetia).

In the Gallo-Roman period, Lutetia was only a relatively modest city in the Roman world, probably having only five to six thousand inhabitants at its peak; in comparison, Lugdunum (Lyon), capital of the three Gauls (the Lyon encompassing Lutetia region), would have counted the ii th century from 50 000 to 80 000 inhabitants. However, it knows a certain prosperity thanks to the fluvial traffic. According to tradition, the city was christianized by Saint Denis , martyred around 250.

The city takes the name of Paris at that time 93 . If its suburbs still remain the iv th century, the population folds in v th century in the Ile de la Cité , strengthened by the recovery of stones taken the great ruined buildings. In 451, Saint Genevieve, future patron saint of the city, managed to convince the inhabitants not to flee in front of the Huns under leadership of Attila , who effectively turn away from it without a fight.

 

 

 

 

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