Paris, France: Romantic Culture

Beautiful tree-lined boulevards and exquisite historical architecture give the city of Paris, France a romantic charm, helping to attract over 30 million visitors per year. Reported by HotelsChart.com to be one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, its iconic attractions, famous institutions, and well-known parks are local places of interest. Fine cuisine, fashionable shops, and haute-couture boutiques add to the tourism experience.

Basic Facts

Located within the country's northern central region, on both banks of the Seine River, Paris serves as the capital, and largest city of France. Answers.com informs its readers, "An important settlement for more than two millennia, Paris is today one of the world's leading business and cultural centres, and its influences in politics, education, entertainment, media, fashion, science, and the arts all contribute to its status as one of the world's major global cities." The total area, listed on Infoplease as 211,209 sq mi (547,030 sq km), is subdivided into 20 arrondissements, administrative divisions known in English as districts or boroughs. Each of these are governed by its own local council and mayor, but the mayor of Paris, chosen by a citywide authoritative council, holds majority power. The entire population was estimated in 2010 at 64,057,792, having grown 0.5 percent since 2009. Paris is often referred to as the "City of Light."

Origin & History

In a brief history published by About.com:Paris Travel, Courtney Traub writes that Paris has been a thriving metropolis and a center of intellectual and artistic achievement for centuries.

Paris was originally founded on the "Ile de la Cité", described on Travel Signposts as an island where a natural north-south highway crosses the Seine River, some 233 miles (375 kilometres) upstream from the river's mouth on the English Channel. The first inhabitants, an ancient tribe of Celtic fishermen known as the Parisii, established their settlement in the 3^rd century B.C., giving their name to this city.

The Parisii remained until 53 B.C., when they were crushed by the arrival of the Roman army under Julius Caesar.

A new settlement was built by the Romans on the hills of the Left Bank, but it was nearly destroyed by German invasions at the end of the 3^rd century A.D. Rebuilding from destruction, a large Roman fort was built on the "Ile de la Cité", protected by the Seine River.

When the Roman empire fell, French kings settled the area. During the growth of population, made possible through the protection and transportation provided by the Seine, the volume of trade flourished. However, due to a limit of size, Paris became congested, unsanitary, and vulnerable to disease epidemics, especially plague.

As a result, the French resettled to the Right Bank, where they succeeded in building the Louvre, first as a fortress, then as a palace. The Louvre served as the political center of France throughout the 15^th-17^th centuries, but the "Ile de la Cité" continued to dominate the spiritual life of its kingdom. The presence of the Cathedral of Notre Dame symbolized Paris as a major religious influence.

The city continued to grow, expanding on either side of the Seine. Institutions for intellectual thought, such as the Grandes Ecoles and the University of Paris, were built on the Left Bank, while the Right Bank (facing downstream) became a centre of commerce. Because the university spoke Latin during the Middle Ages, the area surrounding the Sorbonne was named the Latin Quarter, with everyone in that district speaking Latin.

In the late 1800s, Napoleon III decided to completely renovate Paris. Baron Georges Haussman, who was appointed prefect, devised a plan to establish easy military options and beautify the city. Six and seven story buildings made of white stone were built directly onto wide avenues and boulevards, lined with trees. Sweeping vistas and expansive parks were also created, meant to control crowds and provide ground cover.

During the period of "La Belle Epoque", Paris gained a reputation as a chic centre of arts and culture, with the happening of discovery, Impressionism, legendary brothels, music halls, opera, and scientific research. Painters such as Cassatt, Pissaro, Toulouse Lautrec, and Utrillo immortalized scenes of Paris in their art.

Violence possessed the city with German occupation during WWII from 1940-1944, the student and workers marches in 1968, and the 2006 protesting of outer immigrant neighborhoods against the City and Government, due to their perceived neglect.

Where to Go

Since the city features over 150 art galleries, museums, and famous attractions, there is much, much to see. Wikitravel has written that one of the best value and most convenient ways to see the sights of Paris is with the Paris Museum Pass (previously known as Carte Musées et Monuments), a pre-paid entry card that allows entry into over 70 museums and monuments. This card, lasting 2, 4, or 6 consecutive days, is currently priced at 32 Euro, 48 Euro, and 64 Euro respectively. For the fullest tourism experience, base sightseeing on large-scale attractions.

One of the world's premiere tourist attractions, the Eiffel Tower (5 Avenue Anatole France) is a wrought-iron, open-lattice tower reaching 984 ft (324 m) tall, at which visitors are able to view 42 miles of Paris scenery in every direction (on a clear day) from the very top. It is reported on the ENGINEERING.COM website, "The current height of the tower is 1069 feet (320.75 meters), which is about the equivalent of a 105-story building." Three platforms at different heights are accessible to the public, all reachable by stairs and elevators. On a databank published by BUILDING BIG, "Counting from the ground, there are 347 steps to the first level, 674 steps to the second level, and 1,710 steps to the small platform on the top of the tower." According to facts provided by EMPORIS, The Eiffel Tower is not only Paris' most famous icon but is also an internationally recognizable symbol of France and is one of the world's most famous structures. Open hours are everyday from 9:30 a.m.-11 p.m. (August 29-June 17), and 9:00 a.m.-12:45 a.m. (June 18-August 28). However, PARIS-WALKING-TOURS.COM gives information that hours are subject to change depending on the crowds of people, the weather and the event of strikes. Tickets can be purchased online by visiting the Official Eiffel Tower Ticket Office.

Avenue des Champs-Élysées is a prestigious avenue running 2 km (1.25 mi) through northwestern Paris from Place de la Concorde to Place Charles de Gaulle. Bordered by greenery and clipped horse-chestnut trees, it is the location for many cinemas, cafes, luxury specialty shops and restaurants (most notably Fouquet's). On the website for CHOICE HOTELS INTERNATIONAL, it is written that here, you can spend the entire day shopping in top-notch stores and specialty boutiques and dining in quaint cafes and authentic French restaurants. The area is known as the most expensive strip of real estate throughout all Europe. Wikipedia writes that the Avenue des Champs-Élysées is known in France as La plus belle avenue du monde ("The most beautiful avenue in the world").

Musée d'Orsay (1 rue de la Légion d'Honneur) is defined by www.museums-of-paris.com as a national museum which opened to the public in December 1986, installed in the train station, in order to show, in all its diversity, the artistic creation of the western world from 1848 to 1914. The official museum website reports that in the centre of Paris on the banks of the Seine, opposite the Tuileries Gardens, the museum was installed in the former Orsay railway station, built for the Universal Exhibition of 1900. In a description by YAHOO! TRAVEL, "Nearly 2.5 million visitors each year come to see the largest collection in the world of impressionist artwork." The museum webpage, "Opening hours" shows that the museum and exhibitions are open from 9:30 a.m.-6 p.m. daily, except on Thursdays until 9:45 p.m., and closed on Mondays, January 1, May 1, and December 25. Tickets can be bought online at fnac.com or Ticketnet.fr.

Best Restaurants

Parisian restaurants can be classified as either Personally Recommended, Budget, Trendy, Business, or Gourmet. Most prices include tax and a 12 to 15 percent service charge. With good service, customers paying in cash often tip an extra 2 Euro, or with the small change from their bill. Restaurants not providing service have customary 12 to 15 percent tipping. Hotel dining facilities price according to four categories: $ (under 40 Euro), $$ (40-75 Euro), $$$ (75-125 Euro), and $$$$ (over 125 Euro). According to iExplore, these prices are for an average three-course meal for one person and for a bottle of house wine or cheapest equivalent; they include tax and service charge.

Rated #1 most popular of 399 restaurants in Paris by IgoUgo, Ladurée Champs Elysées (75 Avenue des Champs-Elysées) has a continuously evolving menu inspired by cooking done in France, as well as other regions. In an article published by suite101.com., Mary Luz Mejia reports that today, Ladurée is a tea salon, pastry shop, restaurant, chocolate shop and ice cream parlour all under one pastel-hued coloured roof. A double-floor construction, the ground level overlooks the beautiful and glamorous Champs Elysées avenue with an outdoor terrace and the 'Eiffel Veranda.' The website for Ladurée contains information that on the second floor, the five cozy dining rooms, decorated in the 'Second Empire' refined style by the French interior designer Jacques Garcia, were dedicated to the 19th century Parisian muses: "Paeva", "Castiglione", "Mathilde" but also la Bibliothèque (the Library) and La Chocolaterie (the Chocolate Factory). By selecting this particular establishment on the Laduree website, it can be found that the restaurant is open daily, 7:30 a.m.-12:00 a.m. (except Sundays from 8:30 a.m.), and can be reached by phone at 01.40.75.08.75. To make a reservation, follow instructions on the same webpage.

Also famous is Le Ceil de Paris (33 Avenue du Maine), located on the 56^th floor of the Montparnasse Tower. At 200 meters off the ground, it is the highest restaurant in all of Europe. According to a tourism guide published by Paris Digest, the famous view embraces all Paris districts and monuments. It is noted in a Gayot restaurant review, "Chef Jean-Francois Oyon and his team put together a varied and enticing seasonal menu." Typical gourmet style French food is served, with cost depending on time, day, and type of meal ordered. Placesinfrance.com has published a restaurant guide which reads, "The restaurant is open every day for lunch and dinner, with piano music starting at 9 p.m. and the bar is open until 1a.m." Dress in casual wear. To reach by phone, call 1.40.64.77.64. Reservations can be made online.

Best Hotels

For a real treat, check out the Paris Marriott Champs Elysées (70 Avenue des Champs-Elysées). The hotel website describes it as exceptionally located in the heart of Paris, France, directly overlooking the world-famous Avenue des Champs-Elysées, and easy walking distance to the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre. Guests can choose between 119 deluxe double rooms, 39 executive rooms, 16 parlor suites, 15 Champs Elysées View rooms, one vice presidential suite, and two presidential suites. On the hotel's webpage titled "ACCOMMODATIONS", it is written that elegant Paris France accommodations showcase the modern convenience and services you've come to expect from Marriott, with a touch of European charm. Available dining options within this establishment include: Le Restaurant (Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner in casual elegance, this restaurant exquisitely prepares seasoned French cuisine.), the adjoining terrace (A relaxing, beautiful setting, perfect for business lunches.), Bar Atrium (Located in the hotel foyer and overlooking the Champs Elysées, it serves bar snacks and sandwiches until 1:00 a.m.), and Room Service (accessible 24 hours a day). Its "DINING" webpage boasts, "From elegant dinners to light snacking, we offer first-class service in our fine enchanting settings." Reservations can be made by phone or online.

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