Paris is the capital of France, the most impressive and sophisticated city in the world, a symbol of love and romance, fashion and elegance. There is no such person who would not dream of visiting Paris, seeing the sights that have become textbooks, plunge into the atmosphere of relaxedness, pay tribute to French cuisine, and wander along the beautiful boulevards. Paris has everything that travellers dream of - numerous museums with the richest collections, excellent shopping and entertainment for every taste.
The capital of France, located in the northern part of the state, stretches on both banks of the Seine. There are two versions of the origin of the name of the city. The first one says that the word Paris was formed from the name of the Gallic tribe of the Parisians, who lived on the site of the modern island of Cité. According to the second version, which many consider far-fetched, the city was named after the mythical hero Paris.
The outline of the city resembles a sphere with a diameter of 12 kilometres. The border of Paris is the Peripheral Boulevard 35 kilometres long. Paris is divided into 20 administrative districts, the first of which, the Louvre, is located in the centre, and the rest diverge from it in a spiral, with increasing numbering.
Once the city belonged to the Romans, then it was conquered by the Franks. Since the 12th century, Paris has gradually become one of the most important educational, political and cultural centres in France and Europe. Today Paris is one of the most important tourists, business and political cities in the world.
Modern Paris can be confidently called a young city: 2.2 million people live here. Since many Parisians, when retiring, move to the suburbs or to the south of the country, and young people who want to earn money remain in the city. About 15% of the total population of Paris are immigrants who have arrived from other EU countries, the CIS, Africa and Asia, therefore, in addition to French, on the streets of the city, you can hear Italian, Arabic, Chinese speech. Many service workers are fluent in English and sometimes Russian. For security reasons, you should not visit areas where people from African countries live predominantly.
Most of the industrial companies of Paris have long been moved outside the city limits or even to other countries (aircraft plant, Renault and Peugeot-Citroёn car factories, cosmetics production, sewing clothes, etc.), so today the main factor polluting the environment is transport ...
The city is located in the zone of influence of a temperate oceanic climate, so the weather here is mild, without sudden changes and extreme values. The average temperature in summer is +25, in winter it rarely drops below zero.
Paris is an amazing and multifaceted city that can amaze everyone who dares to visit it to the depths of their souls. Here you can relax alone, together with your loved one, in a big noisy company or in a close family circle, with small children.
The Eiffel Tower is the most iconic landmark in Paris. From the observation deck of the tower, from a height of 274 meters, the panorama of Paris and its suburbs is visible at a distance of up to 70 kilometres, and the best visibility is an hour before sunset. If you want to take a photo against the backdrop of the iron beauty, then the most impressive view of it is from the Trocadero square.
The Louvre attracts the most valuable collection of world-historical and cultural heritage, it is worth coming here even for one smile of La Gioconda. The entrance to the museum is the glass pyramid, which has become a modern landmark in Paris and a must-see for photography.
Notre Dame Cathedral, a gem of Gothic architecture, is located on the Ile de la Cité. Here are collected unique Orthodox shrines - a fragment of the Lord's Cross and the Crown of Thorns. At 14.00 on Wednesdays and Saturdays, you can join a free Russian-language excursion here.
Montmartre, the bohemian and artist quarter, is located on a hill, the highest point in Paris. But do not rush to climb to its top on the funicular, but walk up the stairs - you will fully feel the spirit and charm of this place. Have a coffee in the restaurant - some tables remember Picasso and Van Gogh. Montmartre is full of attractions: the Moulin Rouge cabaret; the Salvador Dali Museum; Pigalle (red-light district); sculpture "Passing through the walls" and others.
Among the religious monuments of Paris architecture, the Basilique du Sacré Coeur de Montmartre, L'église Saint-Germain-l'Auxerrois and Cathédrale Saint -Alexandre-Nevsky.
Champs Elysees is a place for walking, the most beautiful avenue in the world, stretching from the Place de la Concorde to the Arc de Triomphe, built by Napoleon. There are many boutiques, prestigious restaurants, historical sites - the Elysee Palace, the Jacquemart-André Museum, the Tuileries Park.
In the Latin Quarter, you will immerse yourself in the student atmosphere of the Sorbonne, the oldest university in France, stroll through the Luxembourg Gardens, explore the Pantheon and get to know the Medieval Museum. Every weekend in front of the oldest church in the country, Saint-Severin, there is a culinary fair, where food is brought from all over France.
When heading to Paris, do not forget to stroll along the Boulevard des Capucines, which houses the house that hosted the world's first film screening in 1895. Then you can walk along the narrow streets of the Latin Quarter, look at the most famous university in Europe - the Sorbonne - and visit one of the many museums located here. Fans of the work of Edith Piaf, Marcel Proust, Frederic Chopin, Jim Morrison, Oscar Wilde and other world-famous cultural figures must visit the graves of their idols at the Père Lachaise cemetery.
It is impossible to see all the neat places of Paris even in a month, so it is better to choose the most interesting ones in advance and make a plan of visiting them.
