Paris, The City of Lights

The most popular tourist destination all over the world.
Paris at night

Paris, the capital of France, has an estimated population of 2.2 million (as of January 2006) and has approximately 11.7 million people living in the metropolitan area (considered as one of the most crowded metropolitan area in Europe). Its revolutionizing feature in both business and culture makes it one of the most popular tourist destinations all over the world. 45 million tourists visits Paris annually and 60 percent are foreign visitors. The City’s influences on people around the world in fields such as fashion, media, education and politics make them one of the major cities in the world.

Paris is more than 2,000 years old. The first settlers were the Gauls from the Parisii tribe. They found a fishing village on an island in the river that is called Ile de la Cité at present. Paris was then conquered by Julius Caesar in 52 BC and became the regional centre of the Romans. In World War I, Germans were not able to reach Paris but they engaged the city during World War II (1940-1944). The City also became a scene of violence when group of students were engaged in a riot.

At present, the government of Paris is headed by an elected Mayor. The mayor is in charge of the police force, which is headed by the préfet (prefect), and all of the town halls of the 20 municipal arrondissements in Paris. Any local problems are governed by the Regional Council and the Economic and State Committees. The Communist Party and Socialist Party are the most influential political parties in the city. The national government is a coalition government comprised of the different political parties.

Parisians are a culturally progressive set of people with an exceptional outlook in life. Paris has distinct culture because of its unique artists, musicians and politicians. Parisians are proud of their own culture and beliefs but that doesn’t hold them from being close-minded for any development. The rapid spread of the English as our universal language provided room for Paris to accept increasing number of travellers all over the world.

The city embraces fashion remarkably. There is no city in the world that can beat Paris when it comes to fashion and fine dining. Money is spent eagerly on the latest fashions and cuisine other than anything else.

When you go to Paris, you cannot leave the city without seeing the most famous Parisian landmarks. One famed landmark is the twelfth-century cathedral Notre Dame de Paris. Two other landmarks include, the nineteenth-century Eiffel Tower and the Napoleonic Arc de Triomphe. The most celebrated Eiffel Tower was an impermanent construction by Gustave Eiffel for the Universal Exposition in 1889. And after that, it was never dismantled; it remained the permanent icon of Paris.

If you have some time, there are a lot of things you can spend your leisure time in the City of Light. You can lose yourself in the legendary jazz scene in Caveau de la Huchette. You can dine on the finest French cuisine in L’Ardoise. You can grasp a film at La Cinémathèque Française, eat an ice cream in Notre-Dame, get lost at the Louvre and even picnic under the Eiffel Tower. Either way, make sure you have the most unforgettable experience in Paris.

3 thoughts on “Paris, The City of Lights”

  1. Great post! Reading it just makes me fall in love with this city more. I haven’t been to Paris, but this is definitely in my bucket list of places to go, soon! Just by looking at the pictures and hearing about the stories of some people who have been here just makes my mouth drool! I think the title “City of Lights” is perfect for Paris, I mean just looking at pictures and videos of Paris at night is already super awesome! And I’m assuming the pictures are only half as good as the actual scene! Keep the posts coming, make us fall in love with Paris even more!

  2. I love Paris! I have been there 5 months ago and my friends are probably tired of hearing my stories of my 1 week stay there! I think for anyone who has visited Paris as well can relate to what I felt. I mean, it definitely lives up to it’s title as the “City of Lights”. The view of Paris is already stunning at night but you will be left in awe once you see the city lights at night. What’s even great about Paris is that when you’re there you feel like there’s so much to do but so little time! Everyday, you will discover something new about the city which can just draw you into its magic! Thank for sharing this post with us!

  3. Nothing compares to the evening aura of Paris. Dubbed as the City of Light, the establishments and tourists spots at night capitalizes its name. Paris at night makes your eyes twinkling towards the beautiful lights around the city. Sample pictures on how Paris looks at night is just a teaser. If you haven’t gone to Paris, better book yourself in advance for you will be astonished of what awaits you there.

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