Paris
When the Romans took the area that is now Paris in 52 B.C.,
it was simply a riverbank fishing village. This might be
hard to imagine now, especially since many consider Paris
to be among the most beautiful cities in the world. Its
wide boulevards, incomparable art collections, Gothic cathedrals,
and the magical Seine have been depicted and canonized by
countless artists, directors, and writers--becoming the
romantic ideal by which other cities are judged. A bastion
of culture, history, and intellectual pursuit, the rich
tradition of this European capital pervades each of its
arrondisements, or districts.
Paris has managed to retain its illustrious
architecture and monuments. The French Revolution caused
significant damage, but the city was spared during World
War II when the German commander of Paris disobeyed Hitler's
orders to destroy the capital. Consequently, today's visitors
have the rare opportunity to observe historical sites restored
to their original splendor. Despite the fact that Paris'
foremost industry is tourism, the city is much more than
a living document of European history. Paris continues to
evolve and thrive as a world center: the principle city
of a nation that remains an influential economic, social,
and cultural leader.
The royal palace serves as the city's
center, and the surrounding eight arrondisements contain
most of the popular attractions. These attractions are within
easy walking distance of one another, which is an ideal
way to experience Paris. If walking is not feasible, public
transportation is superb and visitors should not hesitate
to travel by Metro, bus, or taxi.
The Seine River bisects the city into
two distinct areas dubbed the Right Bank and Left Bank.
The Left Bank (northern side) is an enclave of the elite,
harboring fashionable, upscale districts. The area is also
home to the Louvre, the Arc de Triomphe, and numerous palaces.
The Right Bank (southern side) houses government offices
and districts, such as the Latin Quarter, which has historically
been the playground of important French intellectuals. The
Left Bank offers popular attractions as well, including
the Eiffel Tower and the Pantheon.
Some attractions do lie outside the primary
districts. One of the more notable haunts is Montmartre,
frequented for its cafes, charming alleys, street artists,
and for the Sacre Coeur--a cathdral nestled atop the highest
point in the city. However, The Eiffel Tower remains Paris'
most visited attraction, followed by the Louvre (adjacent
glass pyramid designed by architect I.M. Pei), the Cathedral
of Notre Dame, and the Arc de Triomphe.
Most visitors balance their stay
between site seeing, touring, and plenty of shopping in
the posh boutiques and various flea markets. And, of course,
what trip to the incandescent city of lights would be complete
without indulging in the rich gustatory pleasures of the
markets, patisserie, bistros, or romantic restaurants. From
its art, to its history, to its cuisine, Paris is truly
one of the most enticing and visually stunning destinations
in the world.
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