From all perspectives - historical, architectural, cultural, and recreational - Paris is a captivating city. The charm of Paris will enchant anyone who decides to visit. Paris possesses an affluent heritage comprising appealing Gothic and Renaissance architecture, numerous museums and cultural galas. The City offers also luxuriant landscaping and immaculate natural areas, including plenty of parks and lakes. Besides these, Paris has some of the best to offer in food, wine, cafés, bars, shopping centers, opera and theatre.

Area: 105 sq km
Country: France
Currency: Euro
Time Zone: GMT/UTC +1 (Central European Time)
Language: French

When to go

The weather is at its best in springtime, summers may be hot and sizzling. If you were looking forward for cultural events, winters would be best.

Arts and Events

Du Maurier Downtown Jazz Festival attracts local and international players in June and early July. Caribana, an ever-growing Caribbean festival (August), International Film Festival (September); Harbourfront International Festival of Authors (October)

Major Attractions

The River Seine splits Paris into the right bank (Rive Droite) north of the Seine and the Left Bank (Rive Gauche) south of the river.

The major highlights of the Rive Droite include the tree-lined Avenue des Champs-Élysées, running southeast to the famous Arc de Triomphe, which is a homage to military accomplishments of Napoleon. Southwest of the Arc is famous Bois de Boulogne, which is taken over by prostitutes and lurkers each night. The other chief tourist hub of Rive Droite is the world's greatest art museum, Musée du Louvre, where you can marvel at world famous: Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo and Winged Victory. East of Louvre is the Centre Georges Pompidou exhibiting France's national collection. Immediately south of Pompidou is the well-known Notre Dame, a magnum opus of French Gothic architecture, with its stained glass windows telling you stories of the bible.

The Rive Gauche is home to Paris’ most outstanding landmark, the Eiffel Tower, the world's second-most tallest structure at 320m. The top of the tower gives you a splendid view of Paris, you can see for miles and miles around, making you feel like you are on top of the world! The other must-sees of Rive Gauche include a well-known park Jardin de Luxembourg and Catacombes, a 65 ft deep tunnel stacked with skeletons dug from cemeteries of Paris.

Getting There and Away

One can reach Paris from various parts of the world by Air France and many other international airlines. Charles de Gaulle and Aéroport d'Orly are the two international airports of Paris.

When in France or certain other part of the Europe, you can reach Paris via trains and Euroline buses as well. There are also ferries and hovercraft between Britain, Ireland and France.

Getting Around

The public bus system covers all parts of Paris. You can also rent a car or travel by the underground Métropolitain (and its sister system, the RER).