Paris is the capital and largest city of France, renowned globally as a center for art, fashion, gastronomy, and culture. The city is situated along the Seine River in the north-central part of the country.

Key Features and Attractions

Paris is known as the “City of Light” (La Ville Lumière) and the “City of Love,” drawing millions of tourists each year. Wide boulevards, a well-developed and sustainable transportation system—including the Métro—and impressive 19th-century Haussmann architecture characterize its urban landscape. The historic banks of the Seine have been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1991.

Major landmarks and attractions include:

• The Eiffel Tower: An iconic symbol of both Paris and France, originally built for the 1889 World’s Fair.

• The Louvre Museum: The world’s largest museum, housing thousands of artworks, including the Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo.

• Notre-Dame Cathedral: A masterpiece of Gothic architecture, celebrated for its stained glass windows and historic significance.

• Avenue des Champs-Élysées and the Arc de Triomphe: A famous avenue known for its shops, cafés, and the monumental arch honoring French military history.

• Musée d’Orsay: Noted for its exceptional collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist masterpieces, housed in a former railway station.

Beyond its landmarks, Paris plays a central role in global intellectual and artistic life, with a long tradition of literature, philosophy, and political thought. Its neighborhoods, cafés, museums, and public spaces continue to shape the city’s reputation as one of the world’s most influential and enduring cultural capitals.