Situated on the banks of the Seine, the French capital of
Paris has many names: it’s known
as the City of Light for its beautiful street lamps,
the Capital of Fashion for its trendsetting
fashion houses like Chanel and Louis Vuitton,
and the City of Love for the romantic feelings it
invokes in all who visit. Paris has long been a
center of culture and learning, witnessing the
Enlightenment, the French Revolution and the
Belle Époque. Today, however, Paris is also the
City of Tourists, welcoming an estimated 45
million visitors each year—more than any other
city in the world.
Paris’ most famous landmarks include
Notre Dame Cathedral, setting for Victor
Hugo’s The Hunchback of Notre Dame; the Arc
de Triomphe, a monument to Napoleon’s war
victories that sits atop the famed ChampsÉlysées;
and the Château de Versailles, the
famous palace on the city’s western outskirts.
Other must-sees are the Sacré-Coeur, a beautiful
Catholic church on the city’s highest hill, and
the Eiffel Tower, the iconic symbol of Paris,
both of which offer spectacular views of the
entire city. And of course, Paris is synonymous
with fine art and museums. The Louvre is
home to masterpieces like the Mona Lisa
and the Venus de Milo, and Musée d’Orsay
has the world’s largest collection of French
Impressionist paintings.
French cuisine is famous the world over,
and Paris is dotted with Michelin-starred
restaurants—only Tokyo has more. Visitors
can also add style to their wardrobes by
shopping in the hip boutiques of Canal St-
Martin and the Palais-Royal. And for a little
entertainment, nothing beats a cabaret show at
the famous Moulin Rouge. Finally, a stroll along
the Seine enjoying the twinkling lights
of Paris is the perfect way to end an evening.
