With a history that spans centuries, fabulous architecture from the medieval and baroque periods to the present day, and a multicultural society offering art, music and theater, endless sporting opportunities and fine cuisine, Paris appeals to everyone. For the more than 2 million residents, it offers a great lifestyle, but even if you’re visiting for a weekend, it can be magical. For those who simply want to relax and soak up the atmosphere for a few days, enjoy public parks, buy designer clothes or study architecture, Paris will not fail to enchant you.
Today’s completely multicultural and cosmopolitan city is a far cry from the Paris of centuries past, when it began life as a small community nestled in what is now the Tie de la Cite. One of the largest cities in the world, it is a place that everyone should visit at least once in their life. If you can, you should return to the city again and again to experience it at different times of the year. Each season has its own special charm in Paris.
Spring draws locals in droves, sipping coffee on the terraces, jogging, or strolling through the large parks, such as the Jardin du Luxembourg or the Jardin des Tuileries, both bustling with activity on Sunday mornings. Summer, when most Parisians head to seaside vacation homes, attracts out-of-town visitors eager to see the sights, while in autumn the parks turn a subtle golden hue, and winter brings icy mornings and Christmas in this magical city. The Charnps-Elysees dressed in white party lights in winter is a breathtaking sight that will remain in your memory long after the visit.
The visitor to Paris today will find glorious ecclesiastical buildings from the great Notre-Dame, seat of the Archbishop of Paris that has been in the Tie de la Cite from the 14th century, to the still earlier but little-known Romanesque-style Eglise Saint. Gerrnain-des-Pres, dating back to the 10th century. The latter is amid the vibrant hustle and bustle of the busy Left Bank. The main places that everyone who visits Paris will want to see are, without a doubt: the Eiffel Tower that, proud and serene, watches over the city; Les Invalides, site of the tomb of Napoleon I; the neo-Romanesque-Byzantine Sacre-Coeur, on the Montmartre hill; the Musée du Louvre, home to more than 35,000 priceless works of art; the Arc de Triomphe, which is directly in line of sight from the Musée du Louvre; the Place de la Concorde; and the futuristic La Grande Arche in La Defense on the outskirts of the city. Museum enthusiasts will be captivated by the works of Auguste Rodin at the Musée Rodin and Pablo Picasso at the Musée Picasso, and the contemporary exhibits located at the Musée d’Orsay on the Left Bank, or at the Center Georges Pompidou, openly modern and brightly colored. . Further afield, the mighty Chateau de Versailles, former home of royalty, or Chantilly, with its prominent reputation for horse racing, are high on the tourist agenda.
However, Paris is not a museum. It is an exuberant place where residents and visitors enjoy life to the fullest. There are art galleries that stay open all night during special annual events, and restaurants that offer food from all corners of the world, including oriental, Mexican, Italian and Indian, plus, of course, the best French cuisine.
There are numerous cultural events and festivities to enjoy in Paris, such as the great Fete de la Musique, during which Parisians and visitors of all ages celebrate on the streets. Then, of course, there are the top fashion houses in the world. Head to rue du Faubourg Saint-Honore, not far from the Opera Palais Gamier, to enjoy the great designers like Versace, Gucci, Karl Lagerfield, and Herrnes, to name just a few. Add to this walks in the great parks, on Sunday mornings in the markets full of lively conversations, watching the street performers or taking one of the boats for a relaxed trip on the Seine and you will discover why the city is so special. Most visitors come to Paris to see its world-renowned historical buildings, which have survived revolutions, attacks and wars, to see the impressive modern architecture or simply to enjoy the lively atmosphere, even if only for a weekend. No matter how many times you visit, the city never fails to inspire. Romantic, historical, theatrical, artistic, architecturally fascinating, an art lover’s dream and a gourmet’s delight – Paris has something for everyone.