Visiting the world-famous French capital, Paris, is on the bucket list of many travelers. Paris is full of historical and cultural buildings that represent the city’s artistic and fashionable qualities. The main tourist attractions in Paris are scattered all over the city. The Arc de Triomphe, Champs-Elysées, and the Louvre are some of the most popular sites. The Eiffel Tower on the west bank of the river is also an attraction that tourists are sure not to miss. If you explore the south bank across from the Seine, you can not only see the classic buildings such as Notre Dame de Paris and Les Invalides, but also the Saint-Germain-des-Prés quarters filled with famous publishing houses and the fragrant ambience of cafés. On the outskirts of Paris, visitors can also visit the Palace of Versailles, or head to Disneyland to spend a memorable afternoon.
Two thousand years ago, Paris was a small fishing village on the Île de la Cité. Later, it benefited from its abundant geographical resources and gradually developed into a renowned European city on the Seine. In the course of development since the middle ages, Paris has always maintained the remnants of its history, and many ancient buildings and street layouts are still intact today. The Paris of today is not only a historical city full of heritage, but also a culinary capital and birthplace of art.
Paris residents of all backgrounds have brought colorful vitality to the city and made it the unique place it is today. Even if you don’t know anything about the history and culture of Paris, you’ve surely head of the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, the Arc de Triomphe, Notre-Dame de Paris, and other landmarks. In addition to the Eiffel Tower, most of Paris’s important sights are on the right bank of the Seine. From the Arc de Triomphe in Place Charles de Gaulle, head east along the Champs-Elysées to see the Place de la Concorde, the Tuileries Garden, the Louvre, Notre-Dame de Paris and other classic travel destinations.
Paris is known for its culture and has about 200 museums of different artistic genres, historical periods, and themes. Famous museums in the city include the Orsay Museum which is famous for showcasing impressionism, as well as the Orangery Art Museum, Rodin Museum, and Picasso Museum. If you are a big fan of museums, it is recommended to purchase a Paris museum through ticket for easy access.
Montmartre has been part of the Paris for only just over one hundred years. It not only boasts the majestic landmark of the Sacré-Cœur, but also offers a panoramic view of the city. In addition, it’s known to be the location where Amélie was filmed. Visitors may also be interested in checking out the painter-gathering the Place du Tertre, the Moulin Rouge, and the Wall of Love filled with romance. Paris embraces religion, art, beauty, and love.
When in Paris, trying French food is a must. Many of the top Michelin restaurants in Paris and a variety of French restaurants can be found on the streets. French dishes such as snails, foie gras, and steaks paired with mellow wines are classics and worth sampling. French desserts and coffee are not to be missed either. The European Heritage Day event began in 1984 in France and was originally initiated by Jacquelange, the then Minister of Culture of France. The 3rd Sunday in September is designated as Open Day for places of interest. This move became popular soon among European citizens who love culture and art, quickly arousing the people's enthusiasm. The 2017 European Heritage Day event was held on September 16th and 17th. At that time, Paris opened nearly 20,000 venues to tourists for free, including popular attractions such as the Louvre.
The city of Paris is in the center of the Paris basin and has a mild maritime climate with warm winters and cool summers. The average temperature in January is 3°C, the average temperature in July is 18°C, and the average annual temperature is 10°C. Rainfall is distributed evenly throughout the year with slightly more in summer and autumn. The average annual rainfall is 619 mm. Paris is divided into 20 districts. When taking the environment, transportation, and other factors into consideration, it is recommended to stay in the following areas: the downtown area (district 1), the Latin Quarter (districts 5, 6), near the Eiffel Tower (district 7), near the Champs-Elysees (district 8), or in districts 14 and 15 which are outside of the city center. As an international city, hotels in Paris are sure to meet the needs of every type of tourist.
