Paris
Paris
Capital of France
With some major museums closed on Mondays, it’s a great excuse to visit other, lesser-explored areas of the city. Beat the afternoon crowds by making a quick morning jaunt to the Eiffel Tower, before heading to the Île de la Cité in the 4th arrondissement.
Start by taking the RER B train to the ‘Saint-Michel/Notre-Dame’, and you’ll find yourself gazing up at the iconic Notre-Dame, a breathtaking example of French Gothic architecture.
Paris, city and capital of France, situated in the north-central part of the country. People were living on the site of the present-day city, located along the Seine River some 233 miles (375 km) upstream from the river’s mouth on the English Channel (La Manche), by about 7600 BCE. The modern city has spread from the island (the Île de la Cité) and far beyond both banks of the Seine.
Character of the city
For centuries Paris has been one of the world’s most important and attractive cities. It is appreciated for the opportunities it offers for business and commerce, for study, for culture, and for entertainment; its gastronomy, haute couture, painting, literature, and intellectual community especially enjoy an enviable reputation. Its sobriquet “the City of Light” (“la Ville Lumière”), earned during the Enlightenment, remains appropriate, for Paris has retained its importance as a centre for education and intellectual pursuits.
City site
Paris is positioned at the centre of the Île-de-France region, which is crossed by the Seine, Oise, and Marne rivers. The city is ringed with great forests of beech and oak; they are called the “lungs of Paris,” for they help to purify the air in the heavily industrialized region. The city proper is small; no corner is farther than about 6 miles (10 km) from the square in front of Notre-Dame Cathedral. It occupies a depression hollowed out by the Seine, and the surrounding heights have been respected as the limits of the city. Elevation varies from 430 feet (130 metres) at the butte of Montmartre, in the north, to 85 feet (26 metres) in the Grenelle area, in the southwest.
Discover what makes the city so alluring and learn about the fascinating places to explore with our list of the top tourist attractions.
Eiffel Tower
Built in 1889 for the Exposition Universelle, the Eiffel Tower (Tour Eiffel) has become the main symbol of Paris. It is also the most-visted attraction in the world.
The Eiffel Tower is a wrought iron tower that stands 1,063 ft (324 m) tall. It was designed for the Exposition Universelle, a world fair held in Paris in 1889. It is currently the most famous symbol of Paris.
Louvre Museum
Opened at the end of the eighteenth century, the Louvre is the country’s most renowned museum and one of the most visited in the world. Presently, it receives over 8 million visitors each year.
Featuring the French monarch’s art collection and the result of the pillaging which was carried out during Napoleon’s Empire, the Louvre Museum opened in 1793. Since its inauguration, the museum was free for the public during a few days a week and was considered revolutionary for its time.
Notre Dame Cathedral
Notre Dame Cathedral (in French: Cathédrale Notre-Dame, lit. Cathedral of Our Lady) is a cathedral of Catholic worship, seat of the Archdiocese of Paris, the capital of France. Dedicated to the Virgin Mary, mother of Jesus Christ, it is located on the small island of la Cité, surrounded by the waters of the River Seine. It is one of the most popular monuments in the French capital. It is one of the most outstanding and oldest buildings of all those built in the Gothic style. The innovative use of the ribbed vault and flying buttress, the huge and colorful rose windows, and the naturalism and abundance of sculptural decoration set it apart from Romanesque architecture.
French cuisine is considered to be one of the best in the world, making Paris one of the top international culinary capitals worldwide.
French cooking is full-flavored and varied thanks to the fresh ingredients and the country’s cultural diversity.
Traditional French dishes
These are some of France’s most famous and traditional dishes:
- Foie gras: fattened duck or goose liver.
- Boeuf Bourguignon: known in English as Burgundy beef, is beef stewed in red wine.
- Escargots: snails.
- Croque-monsieur: baked or fried ham and cheese sandwich.
- Quiche Lorraine: savoury open pie made of eggs, cream and other ingredients such as bacon, cheese or different varieties of vegetables.
- Fromage: cheese.
- Coq au vin: chicken and vegetable casserole cooked in wine.
- Pot-au-feu: beef stew with vegetables.
- Brioche: pastry made of eggs, baking powder, milk and sugar.
- Tarte Tatin: thin caramelised apple pie.
- Crepe: thin type of flour pancake that can be filled with savoury or sweet ingredients.
- Ratatouille: stewed dish made of aubergines, tomato, courgette, peppers and basil.
French cheeses
Walking around the city and especially its markets, visitors will be surprised by the quality and quantity of cheese available. The country produces over 400 different varieties.
When to eat?
Generally, French citizens eat quite early. Restaurants open at midday until 3 pm for lunch and they have dinner from 7:30 pm - 11 pm.
Be that as it may, it won't be difficult for tourists to find restaurants open longer hours since Paris is a very cosmopolitan city and is used to tourism.
