About Paris
The City of Lights, Paris, has stirred the imaginations of patriots, poets, and painters for centuries while conjuring up such iconic images as the sky-high Eiffel Tower and high-kicks of cancan dancers at Les Folies Bergère.
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Overview
Illustrious artists such as Cézanne, Monet and Chagall, and fashion icons have all left their unique impression on the world. Royalty such as Louis XIV and Napoleon have formed an indelible imprint on history.
Visit the home of Queen Marie-Antoinette and other royalty at the Castle at Versailles and the more intimate Estate of Trianon, with its rustic landscaped gardens.
Explore the Louvre, the world’s largest museum, along the Right Bank of the Seine. Sit in a romantic café in the trendy Left Bank of Paris and watch the city come to life. Take a leisurely stroll through the Medieval Latin Quarter, with its charming cobblestone streets, delightful restaurants, and jazz clubs.
Or take a boat tour along the city’s central artery, the Seine River, and see the world, and Paris, float by.
What To Do
Climb the stairs or ride an elevator to the top of the iconic Eiffel Tower, constructed by Gustav Eiffel for the Exposition Universelle (World Fair), which was held in Paris in 1889.
Visit the impressive Arc de Triomphe, built in 1836 to commemorate Napoleon’s 1805 victory at Austerlitz, Moravia (now, the Czech Republic).
Stroll along the Champs Élysées, one of the most famous boulevards in the world, with its glorious gardens, statues, and fountains. Its name stems from Greek mythology’s “Elusia,” which describes a paradise where heroes granted immortality by the Gods were sent.
Explore the world’s largest museum, the Louvre, housing over 70,000 pieces of art. The museum resides on the site of a 12th-century fortress, and later the16th century palace of King Francis I, a major art collector.
Tour the lovely Ile de la Cité, one of two remaining natural islands in the Seine, in the heart of Paris.
What To See
See the Opéra Garnier, the world's largest theatre and opera house when it opened in 1875. Although operas are no longer performed here, you can attend a ballet or modern dance performance.
Stroll through Montmartre on your way to the famour Sacre Coeur Basilica at the top of the famous hillside neighborhood.
Recommended Activities
Book these unforgettable experiences and more as part of a Paris vacation.
- Eiffel Tower 3rd Floor + Seine River Cruise - Enjoy birds-eye views of Paris from the third floor of the Eiffel Tower. Cruise along the Seine and see some of the city’s most popular attractions from the water, including the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, and the Louvre.
- Private Montmartre Walking Tour - In charming hilltop Montmartre, an authentic village in the heart of the city, take in awe-inspiring views of Paris from steep cobblestone streets and visit the world-famous Moulin Rouge at the foot of Montmartre.
- Private Guided Best of the Louvre Tour - See some of the world's most famous works of art at one of its most venerated museums, on 3-hour private guided tour. Highlights include the Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, Winged Victory of Samothrace, and Liberty Leading the People.
- Versailles Tour (Private or Shared) - Explore one of the planet’s most iconic palaces, home to the dazzling Hall of Mirrors, Gallery of Coaches, Royal Chapel, the King’s and Queen’s State Apartments, Royal Opera House, and the vast gardens.
Shopping
Each year, top fashion designers display their creations during Paris Fashion Week. The remainder of the year, vacationers and locals get to shop for some of the world’s most fashionable clothing and more.
Browse amid one of the leading shopping districts in Paris and the world, the Champs Élysées, where you’ll find the Louis Vuitton flagship store and dozens more.
View the unique collections of high-end designers on the Avenue Montaigne and Saint-Germain. Visit the elegant Galleries Lafayette to find your perfect Parisian outfits. C’est Magnifique!
Off the Beaten Path
Head to Montmartre and take the funicular up to Sacré-Cœur. This majestic basilica church sits atop the butte Montmartre, the highest point in the city.
Visit Versailles, just a short distance from Paris, and explore the palace and its famous gardens, art, and smaller estates.
Walk along the shaded, cobblestoned pathways at the Père Lachaise cemetery and visit the graves of notable Frederick Chopin, Edith Piaf, and Jim Morrison.
When to Go
The best time to visit Paris is either the spring or the fall. The warmest month is July when temperatures edge into the 80s F, and the coolest is January, which averages around 41 F. Although it rains year-round, May sees the most.
Fast Facts
Paris comprises twenty arrondissements or districts.
There is actually another Statue of Liberty in Paris that complements France’s gift to America, emphasizing these two nations’ enduring camaraderie.
Paris is also known as "The City of Light" (La Ville Lumière), due, in part, to its leading role in the Age of Enlightenment, when a large number of writers, artists, and academics were drawn to the city. The title also comes from the fact that Paris was one of the first cities in Europe to utilize gas street lighting.
The main pyramid at the Louvre’s entrance was designed by I. M. Pei to mirror the same proportions as the Great Pyramid of Giza. It is one of five pyramids housed in the museum: there is another one underground, and three more to create light shafts for the museum’s expansive collections.
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