citydeluxe

Paris is the capital city of France. It is situated on the River Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region ("Region Parisienne"). Paris has an estimated population of 2,153,600 inhabitants (2005 est.). The Paris urban area has a population of 9.93 million; a vast commuter belt around the same completes the Paris "aire urbaine" (roughly: "metropolitan area") that, with its population of 11.5 million, is one of the most populated areas of its kind in Europe. The Paris region (Île-de-France) is France‘s foremost centre of economic activity. 

With La Defense, the largest purpose built business district in Europe, it hosts the head offices of almost half of the major French companies, as well as the headquarters of ten of the world‘s 100 largest companies. Paris also hosts many international organizations such as UNESCO, the OECD, the ICC, or the informal Paris Club. It is regarded as one of the 4 major global cities.

Paris‘ strategic location at a crossroads between land and river trade routes in lands of abundant agriculture had made it one of France‘s principal cities by the 10th century, rich with Royal palaces and demurs, wealthy Abbeys and a cathedral; by the 12th century Paris had become one of Europe‘s foremost centres of learning and the arts. Today, Paris is an influential centre in politics, fashion, business, arts and science. The city serves as an important hub of intercontinental transportation and is home to some of the most prominent universities, sport events, opera companies and museums, making it an attraction for over 30 million foreign visitors per year.

Paris had always been a destination for traders, students and those on religious pilgrimages, but its ‘tourism‘ in the proper sense of the term began on a large scale only with the appearance of rail travel, namely from state organisation of France‘s rail network from 1848. One of Paris‘ first ‘mass‘ attractions drawing international interest were, from 1855, the above-mentioned Expositions Universelles that would bring Paris many new monuments, namely the Eiffel tower from 1889. These, in addition to the Capital‘s 2nd Empire embellishments, did much to make the city itself the attraction it is today.

Paris‘ museums and monuments are by far its highest-esteemed attractions, and tourist interest has been nothing but a benefit to these; tourism has even motivated both city and State to create new ones. The city‘s most prized museum, the Louvre, sees over 6 million visitors a year. Paris‘ cathedrals are another main attraction: its Notre-Dame cathedral and Sacré-Coeur basilica receive 12 million and 8 million visitors respectively. The Eiffel tower, by far Paris‘ most famous monument, averages over 6 million visitors per year. Disneyland Resort Paris is a major tourist attraction not only for visitors to Paris, but to Europe as well, with 12.4 million visitors in 2004. Many of Paris‘ once-popular local establishments have metamorphised into a parody of French culture, in a form catering to the tastes and expectations of tourist capital. The Moulin Rouge cabaret-dancehall, for example, is a staged dinner theatre spectacle, a dance display that was once but one aspect of the cabaret‘s former atmosphere. All of the establishment‘s former social or cultural elements, such as its ballrooms and gardens, are gone today.

Much of Paris‘ hotel, restaurant and night entertainment trades have become heavily dependent on tourism, with results not always positive for Parisian culture. Cafés quickly became an integral part of French culture from their appearance, namely from the opening of the left bank Café Procope in 1689 and the café Régence at the Palais-Royale one year earlier. The cafés in the gardens of the latter locale became a quite popular through the 18th-century, and can be considered Paris‘ first "terrace cafés"; these would not become widespread until sidewalks and boulevards began to appear from the mid-19th century. Cafés are an almost obligatory stop on the way to or from work for many Parisians, and especially during lunchtime. Paris‘ culinary reputation has its base in the many origins of its inhabitants. With the early-19th-century railways and ensuing industrial revolution came a flood of migration that brought with it all the gastronomical diversity of France‘s many different regions, and maintained through ‘local speciality‘ restaurants catering to the tastes of people from all. "Chez Jenny" is a typical example of a restaurant specialising in the cuisine of the Alsace region, and "Aux Lyonnais" is another with a traditional fare originating from its city name‘s region.

Of course migration from even more distant climes meant an even greater culinary diversity, and today, in addition to a great number of North African and Asian establishments, in Paris one can find top-quality cuisine from virtually the world over. Hotels were another result of widespread travel and tourism, especially Paris‘ late-19th century Expositions Universelles (World‘s Fairs). Of the most luxurious of these, the Hôtel Ritz appeared in the Place Vendôme from 1898, and the Hôtel de Crillon opened its doors to the north of the place de la Concorde from 1909.

GO THERE FOR

The Atmosphere - Walk the streets of the Marais, of Bastille, of the Latin Quarter, or any of a dozen other quartiers and soak up the rich and wonderful frisson of the Parisian streets.

The Restaurants - London may now compete with Paris for good food but we have a long way to go to match the panache and theatre of a French restaurant. In France, being a waiter is a profession, not a money-spinner for gap year students.

DON’T MISS

Do breakfast - the best meal of the day in Paris.

Venture out to the Bois de Boulogne Lake while the sun is shining. The unimpressive roadside scene changes drastically just through the trees, where you are greeted by an old-fashioned ferry for the jaunt across the lake to a charming (and well-hidden) chalet restaurant. Take some extra time to stroll the island after your meal and discover free-roaming exotic animals at every turn.

Stroll along the cobbled quais of the Seine, from the Notre Dame to the Eiffel Tower, as twilight descends and the reflections of the grandest collection of buildings ever assembled along a river stretch dance on the water.

Eat every night in a different bistro. For something completely different try Le Cercle, a hush-hush private members’ club reminiscent of prohibition-style opulence.

Catch a set in one of the many jazz or blues clubs. Try Le Duc des Lombards, Le Sunside/Sunset or Le Baiser Salé in rue des Lombards for the most authentic experience.

Visit the Picasso Museum. He may have been Spanish but Picasso is a Deluxe Parisian, like the city, endlessly re-inventing himself

Don’t Come Home Without:

BASICS 

GETTING AROUND

From The Airport...Paris-Charles de Gaulle is approx 35km from the centre of Paris. Allow 40 – 90 minutes depending on traffic.

WHEN TO GO 

The city seldom sees especially high or especially low temperatures. June to September is the warmest (and most tourist-oriented) period, with temperatures in the mid-to-high 20s°C/low 80s°F on average, while December to February is much cooler, with temperatures barely reaching 10°C/50°F.

Public Holidays: