Paris

About the City

Paris – City of Light, Art and Culture

Paris is the capital and, with around 2.1 million residents, also the third-largest city in France. The city lies on the left bank of the Seine, which flows through its heart, and has long been one of the most important cultural, economic and political centers in Europe.

The city was founded in the 3rd century BC by the Gallo-Roman tribe of the Parisii and still bears their name to this day. Over the centuries, Paris developed from the Roman oppidum of Lutetia, through the medieval royal city, to the European metropolis of the Renaissance and the Enlightenment – and in the 19th century became the model for modern urban planning.

World-famous are the classic Haussmann architecture with its distinctive mansard roofs, broad boulevards and elegant squares, plus the rich museum and cultural heritage – from the famous cathedrals to great art collections, cafés and markets at home in the "Bon vivre." No wonder the city attracts around 35 million visitors every year.