The name of paris. Mont Parnasse and Other Strange Names of Paris

July 8, 52 B.C. - the officially accepted date of the founding of Paris. A settlement existed on this site two or three centuries earlier, but for the first time it was mentioned by the Roman general Gaius Julius Caesar in his Notes on the Gallic War. The main city of the Gallic tribe of the Parisians - Lutetia was located on the island of the Seine River and was connected to the banks by two wooden bridges. During the war of Caesar with the rebellious Gallic tribes, Lutetia was captured and destroyed. Soon the city was rebuilt, and the name later changed to Parisia (i.e., the city of the Parisians). In the 5th century A.D. e. Paris was captured by the Franks. King Clovis made it his residence in 508, and with the accession to the French throne of the Capetian dynasty, Paris became the capital of the Frankish Empire.
Medieval Paris did not differ in special brilliance. At the end of the Middle Ages, the city had about 200 thousand inhabitants. Starting from the reign of Francis I, who built the first pavilions of the Louvre, and until the French Revolution, the city developed rather slowly.

The rapid development of Paris begins in the era of Napoleon I. The most famous sights of the city are associated with his name, in particular, the Arc de Triomphe and Les Invalides. During the reign of Napoleon III, Paris changed significantly. Large boulevards were laid, which now form the basis of urban planning, 3 large parks and 20 squares were laid out.

Today Paris is the most elegant capital of Europe, the heart of the administrative, cultural and political life of France, where one fifth of its population lives.

For several centuries in a row, Paris bore the unofficial title of "capital of the world." In the twentieth century, this title began to challenge him in New York. The Parisians do not want to give in, they want the Paris of the future, Paris in the third millennium to retain the certainty of its "capital" status.

Historical reference:

The capital of France on the Seine River, the main city of the historical region of Ile-de-France. 2.2 million inhabitants (1990). Together with the suburbs (Versailles, Saint-Denis, Ivry, Argenteuil, Boulogne-Billancourt, Drancy, etc.), it forms the Greater Paris urban agglomeration with a population of 9.1 million people. A major transport hub, 11 railway lines connect the capital with all regions and major ports of France. International airports: Charles de Gaulle, Bourges, Orly, Metropolitan (16 main lines). Outport of Paris - Le Havre. Industrial center: various mechanical engineering (auto and aircraft construction, electrical engineering), chemical, food, printing and other industries; production of fashionable garments and haberdashery products.
One of the most beautiful cities in the world and the world's largest centers of tourism. UNESCO and more than 200 international organizations are located here.

The cultural and scientific center of the country: the University of Paris (Sorbonne), founded in 1215, the College de France (1530), the Higher Practical School, the National Polytechnic Institute, the Higher Normal School, the Institute of France as part of 5 academies, the National Library (1480), Paris Observatory, National Center for Arts and Culture. J. Pompidou with the National Museum of Modern Art; Orsay - Museum of Art and Culture of the 19th century (opened in 1986), the Louvre Museum, the Museum of Impressionism, the Guimet Museum, pedestrian bridge Arts, National Museum natural history; Palace-Chello, where the Museum of Man, the Maritime Museum, the Museum of French Monuments and the Cinema Museum are located; theaters "Grand Opera", "Opera Garnier", "Comedy Francaise", "Odeon", the National Theater of Shello, "Teatre de la Cité", cabaret theater "Moulin Rouge". Games of the II and VIII Olympiads (1900, 1924).

Oh Paris, my Paris
colorful nights...
Under roof eaves
You are not mine and no one's.
Like a clochard on a bridge
You live like a moth
And, playing in melancholy,
Don't be sad for anyone.

Along the Boulevard Clichy
I'm going to Place Pigalle
Where is the fatigue from the soul
Doesn't take the sadness away!
Where to the left is Montmartre.
Sacre Coeur - behind.
I am a Parisian clochard
With Petersburg soul!

I would never wander
On your pavements.
I wish I didn't drink
Your purple smoke...
But poisoned a long time ago
I look like a garcon
Pours wine
Under the aching chanson.

On the sweaty glass
The cry of the night rain.
Far from myself
I look at you!
Ah, Paris, the city of dreams
And sleepless nights
Glycerin tears -
You are not mine, and no one's!

I take the bus
In the predawn hour
Along the route: Montmartre -
Station Montparnasse.
Along the Boulevard Courcelles,
Avenue de Wagram,
Via Shanz Elise
Through empty spaces!

Light gray walls
In green leaves...
On the bridge over the Seine
We'll ride into the dawn!
Where are the purple scales
Oboe plays...
And Paris is the same
Only, the other coast ...

Ah, in which of the centuries
By the will of the Creator
We are with you without noticing
Changed hearts?
Cry of the night rain
On the sweaty glass...
I look at you,
Far from myself!

Ah, Paris, my Paris...

Kirill Rivel

http://www.calend.ru/event/2319/

The history of Paris begins in the 3rd century BC. e. A tribe of Celtic Gauls formed the city, which then bore the name of Lutetia (which means "swamp" in Gaelic). In 52 BC. e., in connection with the attack of the Roman troops, the city was set on fire, and the bridges to it were destroyed. The Romans created a new city on the left bank of the Seine. It is from this moment that the history of the emergence of Paris as such begins. Until the 5th century A.D. e., the city was under the possession of the Romans. Read more about the Senna River.

Under the rule of the French, Paris was a small residence. In 987, Hugh Capet, the founder of a new dynasty, gave it the status of a city and capital, which has been preserved to this day.

Since 1190, significant transformations have taken place in Paris: a city wall is being built on the right bank of the Seine, and the construction of the famous Louvre began in the West of the city. In 1215, the first university was founded in Paris.

The reign of the kings also contributed to the growth of Paris as the center of France. Louis IX had a special influence. It was during his reign that work progressed on the construction of the well-known Notre Dame Cathedral. Since the 11th century, the city has become a center of religious education.

A cultural upsurge occurred under King Louis XII as well as Francis I. During their reign, many Renaissance palaces and hotels were built.

An interesting fact is that Paris began to be considered a trendsetter only from the 18th century.

Significant changes in Paris also occurred during the reign of Emperor Napoleon I. Many parks, alleys, quarters were reconstructed, and at the end of the Champs Elysees, the Arc de Triomphe was erected, embankments were built along the Seine River.

History of the name "Paris"

There are several versions of the appearance of the name "Paris":

• According to some sources, this name comes from the Celts who previously inhabited these lands. They had tribes called the Parisians. In Latin, the name was Civitas Parisiorium, which meant the city of Parisia.
• Other historians claim that the name of the city goes back to the time of the conquest of Troy. Scientists believe that the Trojans, who emigrated from the ruined city, moved to the banks of the Seine and founded a new city, which they called Paris.
• There is also a version that the city was named after the Egyptian goddess Isis (Par Isis).

Some interesting facts about the city:

• The city has an acacia which is said to be the oldest tree in Paris. It is located near the church of Julian of Pavr. Now the tree is about 400 years old.
• The bridge, which has the name "New", is actually the oldest bridge in Paris.
• The well-known expression "the highlight of the program" was born in Paris. It began to be used after in 1889 the Eiffel Tower, which resembles a nail, was timed to coincide with the opening of that year's world exhibition.

Of course, the surest way to get acquainted with the history of Paris is to visit this city and see all the historical sights with your own eyes.

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City
fr. Paris
Anticlockwise from top right: Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame Cathedral, Arc de Triomphe, Pont des Arts, Louvre, Catacombs of Paris
48°50' N. sh. 2°20′ in. d.
A country	France
region
Department
internal division	20 districts
Mayor	Ann Hidalgo
History and geography
Based	3rd century BC e.
Former names	Lutetia, Parisium
Square	105.4 km²
Center height	33 m
Timezone	UTC+1, summer UTC+2
Population
Population	2,196,936 people (2015)
Density	21,283 people/km²
Agglomeration	10,620,000 people (2011)
Names of residents	parisian, parisian, parisian outdated. parisian, parisian
Digital IDs
Telephone code	+33 1
Postal codes	75001-75020 and 75116
INSEE code	75056 and 75101-75116
Other
Awards
paris.fr

Paris(fr. Paris) - city, capital, administrative center of the region. Forms a commune and department, divided into 20 districts.

Population: 2.274 million people (2014), the fifth largest city in the European Union. Within the Greater Paris agglomeration, 10.6 million people live (2011). It is located in the north of France, on the plain of the Paris Basin, on the banks of the Seine River.

The main political, economic and cultural center of France. Refers to global cities, world financial centers. Headquarters of UNESCO and other international organizations.

Historical Center, formed by the island of Cité and both banks of the Seine, has evolved over the centuries. In the second half of the 19th century, it underwent a radical reconstruction. In the suburbs there is a palace and park ensemble.

Founded in the III century BC. e. the Celtic tribe of the Parisians. Known as a Gallo-Roman city since the 3rd-4th centuries Parisia. There are several versions of the origin of the toponym "Paris". Since the end of the 10th century, with interruptions, it has been the capital of France.

Story

Antiquity

Ruins of Roman baths

Paris grew up on the site of the settlement of Lutetia (Latin lutum - mud), founded by the Celtic tribe of the Parisians in the 3rd century BC. e. The settlement was located on the safe Island of the City, surrounded by the waters of the River Seine. At the beginning of the II century BC. e. The settlement was surrounded by a fortified wall. The basis of the economy was trade: the Seine connected the Mediterranean with the British Isles. In 52 BC. e. the parisii joined the uprising of the Gauls against the rule of Rome, led by the Arvernian leader Vercingetorix. In the same year, the Battle of Lutetia took place, in which the Romans won. The writings of Julius Caesar "Notes on the Gallic War" date back to this time, in which Lutetia was first mentioned - "the city of the Parisians, located on one of the islands of the Seine." After the Roman general Titus Labienus laid siege to it, the inhabitants destroyed the bridges and burned the city.

The Romans rebuilt it, building roads, villas, a 16-kilometer aqueduct, three terms, an amphitheater and a forum with a basilica from stone. The Roman administration was located on the island of Cite, where the port continued to function. In the III century, the city was raided by the Germanic tribe of the Alemanni, which led to the resettlement of residents from the left bank of the Seine to the more protected island of Cite. Then Lutetia began to be called the City of the Parisians (lat. Civitas Parisiorum), and then Parisium (lat. Parisium). The first Christian church appeared in the 4th century. The activity of Saint Genevieve, who became the patroness of Paris, fell on the 5th century. In 470, the Salian Franks, led by Childeric I, besieged the city for more than 10 years. At the end of the 5th century, Clovis temporarily turned Paris into the capital of the Frankish state.

Middle Ages

The siege of Paris by the Vikings in 845 (engraving of the 19th century, the size and quality of the stone fortifications are exaggerated in the then dominant style of Viollet-le-Duc)

In 508 the city became the capital of the Merovingian kingdom. In the 6th century, churches and monasteries were built everywhere. At that time, the population was 15-20 thousand inhabitants. A fortress towered on Sita, the residences of the king and church authorities were located. The basis of the existence of the city was trade, and the possibility of access to the sea (through the Seine) contributed to the emergence of merchants from the East - mainly Syrian and Jewish.

In the 7th century, Paris lost its metropolitan function after the Frankish king Chlothar II moved to Clichy, and later Charlemagne to. After the accession to the throne of the first king of France of the Capet dynasty, Hugo Capet at the end of the 10th century, again became the capital of the state.

At the end of the 9th century, the city was raided by the Normans. In 856-857 they ravaged the left bank of Paris. From 885 to 887, the city was besieged by at least 40,000 Normans on 700 ships. At the beginning of the 12th century, the population was concentrated mainly on the fortress island of Cite, which remained the royal residence until the middle of the 15th century. It was also located here episcopal palace and Notre Dame Cathedral. Hospitals for the poor operated at churches and monasteries. In the XII-XIII centuries there was an active settlement of the right bank, near the port. Under King Philip II Augustus, a new fortress wall was built on both banks of the Seine, and paving stones were re-laid on the streets. In the 13th century, the University of Paris, formed a century earlier, had four faculties: canon law and theology, medicine, art, and philology. During the Hundred Years War, from December 1420, for 16 years, Paris was occupied by the troops of the English king Henry V, and later the Duke of Bedford, regent of France from 1422. From the middle of the 15th to the middle of the 16th centuries, the capital of France was located in.

new time

Bartholomew night

At the beginning of the 16th century, under King Francis I, Paris finally became the capital of France. In the 16th-17th centuries, to streamline the collection of taxes and other purposes, the city was divided into 16 districts. At this time, the position of the head of local government, the provost, became dependent on the king. By the end of the 16th century, about 300 thousand people lived in the city.

In the second half of the 16th century, during the Reformation, Paris was shaken by religious wars that engulfed France. Dissent was persecuted, heretics were sent to the stake. About 20 thousand citizens professed the ideas of Protestantism. On the night of August 24, 1572, the St. Bartholomew night took place, which claimed the lives of over 5 thousand people. During this period, the city was subjected to a 5-year siege by the troops of the King of Navarre, during which about 30 thousand people died. At the beginning of the 17th century, under Henry IV, many famous buildings were built, in particular new bridge and Royal Square. In 1622, Paris became an archbishopric.

In 1671, Louis XIV translated royal residence from Paris to In 1702 the city was divided into 20 districts. At the end of the 18th century, a Wall of General Farmers up to 5 meters high was erected around the city, setting a fare for merchants. This wall served as an administrative boundary until 1860.

The Russian army enters Paris. 1814

During the revolution in 1789, the first Parisian mayor of Bailly was elected. During the reign of Napoleon, city power was concentrated in the hands of two prefects. Between 1804 and 1814 there was a population explosion in which the population increased from less than 580 thousand to 700 thousand inhabitants. The main buildings of this period were completed after the overthrow of Napoleon. On March 31, 1814, the allied forces led by the Prussian king and the Russian emperor entered the city. From 1841 to 1845, the last fortress wall of Thiers was built around Paris, consisting of 17 forts and 94 bastions. Since the 1820s, gas lamps have replaced oil lamps in the central streets.

In the second half of the 19th century, 5 out of 21 world exhibitions were held here. In 1871, for two months, power in the city was in the hands of the Paris Commune.

Newest time

During the Second World War, Paris was occupied by German troops, German military marches took place on the Champs Elysees, the Abwehr was located in the Lutetia Hotel, the Gestapo was located on Lariston Street, the city lived according to Berlin time and with German signs. The occupation lasted until the end of August 1944, when the surrender of the German General Von Scholtitz was accepted by General Leclerc. On August 25, Charles de Gaulle makes his famous speech from the balcony of the city hall: "Paris is desecrated, Paris is broken, Paris is exhausted, but Paris is free!"

Mass riots took place here in May 1968, which ultimately led not so much to a change of government, but to a radical redistribution of society, a change in the mentality of the French.

On November 13, 2015, a series of terrorist attacks took place in Paris: explosions occurred at the Stade de France stadium and at the Voltaire Contoire cafe, visitors to several restaurants were shot, and spectators and actors were taken hostage in the Bataclan theater. The terrorist group claimed responsibility for the incident. Islamic State”, banned in Russia and a number of other countries.

Panorama of Paris from Montparnasse Tower

Physical and geographical characteristics

Geographical position

Paris seen from space

Paris is located on the banks of the Seine River, in the center of the Paris Basin, 145 km from the English Channel.

The area of ​​the city covers 0.9% of the territory of the Île-de-France region and 0.02% of the territory of France. The area is 105.40 km² (113th place among the communes of France), the perimeter is 54.74 km. The length of the city from east to west reaches 18 km, from north to south - 9.5 km. Paris can be explored on foot in less than two hours. The average height above sea level is 30 meters. The highest points above sea level, ranging from 128.15 to 128.65 meters, are located on the hills of Montmartre and Belleville. The lowest point with a height of 30.5 meters is located at the corner of Leblanc and Saint-Charles streets (15th arrondissement).

The present borders were established in 1860. The border of the city runs mainly along the Peripheric ring road, beyond its borders to the east and west are the Bois de Vincennes and Bois de Boulogne, which are part of the city.

The Paris meridian has long been considered the prime meridian on French maps. The meridian line is imprinted with 135 medallions oriented from north to south with the name of the astronomer Arago, laid on pavements, sidewalks and buildings. On this line is the Paris Observatory. Zero kilometer, from which all road distances in France, located on the square in front of Notre Dame Cathedral. The antipode of Paris is located in the waters Pacific Ocean, in the southeast of New Zealand, near the Antipodes Islands. Geographical coordinates of the city: 48°50' latitude and 2°20' longitude.

Hydrography

Seine river

The Seine River turned out to be the most important factor for the creation and development of the city, the beginning of which was laid by the numerous islands on it at that time. From the islands that lie within the city, the greatest interest represents the island of Cité. Inhabited in ancient times, it is the cradle of Paris. This is where many historical monuments such as Notre Dame Cathedral, Sainte Chapelle, Conciergerie.

Traditionally, the city is divided into the right bank (commercial, business part of the city) and the left bank (cultural, educational part of the city).

The length of the Seine within the boundaries of Paris is 12.78 km, its depth varies from 3.8 m (near the bridge Nacional) to 5.7 m (near the bridge Mirabeau), the width of the channel is from 30 m (Montebello embankment) to 200 m (near the bridge Grenelle). The lowest water level in history is 26.39 m, a mark with historical water levels is located on the embankment wall of the island of St. Louis. The speed of the water flow is 2 km/h, the flow rate is 273 m³/s, the average temperature is +14.1 °C. In addition to the river, within the city there are canals Saint-Martin, Saint-Denis and Urk with a total length of 7.6 km. Paris has been hit by floods in the past, with the last major flood occurring in 1910. The modern city is protected from floods by a system of reservoirs up the Seine, as well as by an increase in the level of embankments.

Climate

Snow in Paris

Meteorological observations have been carried out continuously since 1873 from a weather station in the Montsouris park. Paris is located in a temperate continental climate zone, at the junction of two opposing climatic phenomena: proximity to the sea causes the presence of warm and humid air masses and the intrusion of cold continental air, most often from the north and northeast. The average annual temperature is 12.0 °C, the most cold month: January (+4.7°C), hottest: July and August (+20°C), average annual precipitation: 600 mm. The rainiest month: May (64.9 mm), the least amount of precipitation falls in February: 43.7 mm. According to long-term observations, there are 111 rainy days per year, 18 days of heavy rains with thunderstorms, 11 days of precipitation in the form of snow. The microclimate of Paris, due to overcrowding and pollution, differs in air temperature (on average 2 ° C above average temperature by region, the difference can reach up to 10 ° C), lower humidity, less brightness during the day and brighter nights. The direction of the prevailing wind in accordance with the wind rose, plotted according to the observations of the Météo-France station: southwest.

The hottest day in the history of meteorological observations in Paris was July 28, 1947, when the thermometers rose to + 40.4 ° C. The most low temperature was registered on December 10, 1879: −23.9 °C. The most dramatic change in temperature within 24 hours occurred on December 31, 1978: the temperature dropped from +12 °C to -10 °C. Strongest wind: 169 km/h, recorded in December 1999 (see also Tempêtes de fin December 1999 en Europe). A drop in temperature below 0 °C is considered cold, and below -10 °C is considered extreme, during this period social services of the city are mobilized to help the homeless.

Ecology

Movement on the Champs Elysees

The state of the environment experiences the factors of vital activity of a multi-million population. According to statistics, the capital of France and the surrounding region are among the top 100 most densely populated agglomerations on the planet. Within the city, the number of industrial facilities is small due to the process of deindustrialization that began in the middle of the 20th century, so soil pollution is not an acute problem, however, noise pollution, transport emissions are the main environmental problems of the city, we should add to this the lack of park areas in the French capital and the lag in this indicator from other major European cities(14.5 m² per person). Since 2002, there has been a widespread practice of sorting garbage. Much attention is paid to the purity of the air, so every day a hot air balloon visible within a radius of 40 km is launched over Paris, the color of which changes depending on the quality of the air. In addition, since 1979, air monitoring in the city has been administered by the AIRPARIF organization, pollution levels on a scale from 1 to 10 are advertised on many electronic scoreboards in the city. According to official data, air quality has improved significantly over the past decade in many ways. Two decades ago, the ecological state of the Seine left much to be desired, as evidenced by the massive fish kills of 1990 and 1992. In 1988, Jacques Chirac, being the mayor of Paris, said that in 5 years it would be possible to swim in the Seine, indeed, for last years the quality of the water in the river has improved so much that today about 28 species of fish live in its waters in the city. Much attention is paid to green spaces, increasing their diversity, thanks to which Paris is considered one of the most green capitals Europe, because there are about 487,000 trees in the city, the oldest of which (Robinia pseudoacacia) in Viviani Square in the 5th district, planted under Henry IV, is over 400 years old. Greenery is even taking place on the rooftops, with the Biodiversité plan to create 7 hectares of green space on Parisian rooftops. The city is trying to combat noise pollution, the main cause of which is road transport. According to statistics for 2006, 54% of the Parisians surveyed are concerned about noise, and 150,000 people have homes facing the street, where the noise level exceeds 70 dB.

Symbolism

The coat of arms of Paris is first mentioned in the 12th century; approved in 1358 by King Charles V. In the red lower field of the shield is a silver ship with a sail sailing on silver waves, in the upper blue - golden lilies. The shield, crowned with a golden crown with five towers, is framed by green olive and oak branches, at the base of which a silver ribbon is woven with a Latin motto, approved in the 19th century: “It shakes, but it does not sink.” Under the ribbon are three orders: the Military Cross, the Order of the Legion of Honor and the Order of the Liberation. The ship, widely used on the coats of arms of French coastal cities, symbolizes the emergence of Paris as a river port. The golden lilies refer to the emblem of the Capetian dynasty, under which the city became the capital of France.

The flag of Paris is a square panel consisting of two vertical stripes of blue and red, the use of which dates back to the 14th century. The Paris City Hall logo is a blue-red horizontal stripe with a boat at the right edge, on a blue background there is a white inscription: "Paris City Hall".

Population

As of 2015, there were 2,196,936 permanent residents in Paris. It accounts for 3.6% of the population of France and 19.3% of the inhabitants of the Île-de-France region.

Throughout the XIX century, until the end of the First World War, the population increased, reaching a historical maximum in 1921 - 2.9 million people. This number remained until the end of the Second World War, after which it began to decline sharply from the 1950s, reaching 2.2 million people in 1999. In the 2000s, the population increased, mainly due to an increase in the birth rate. There is a high proportion of young people due to the relocation of pensioners from the capital to the provinces and to the south of the country.

The population of the Paris agglomeration in 2011, according to the UN, was 10.620 million people. According to Eurostat data for 2003-2006, the population of the urbanized zone ( larger urban zone) of Paris amounted to 11,532,409 people.

In ancient times and the Middle Ages, due to numerous wars, epidemics and mass famine, the number of inhabitants often fell sharply. In the suburbs due to their expansion in 1921, 4.85 million people lived, and in 2006 already 11.6 million. Lives in the city a large number of unmarried (unmarried) (51.5% of the total population of the city). The average Parisian family consists of 1.88 people. The total fertility rate is 1.64. Most Parisian families have only one child. In 2004, the birth rate was 14.8, the death rate was 6.6. Thus, the natural population growth was +8.1, and the total +2.1.

Ethnic composition

In 2008, about 330,000 foreigners lived in Paris, which is 14.9% of the population of Paris. 30% of them are from the EU, another 20% are immigrants from, and.

Religion

Historically, the majority of the population of Paris were Christians. The Muslim population is concentrated in the 11th, 18th, 19th and 20th districts. The Paris Mosque, located in the 5th arrondissement, was opened to parishioners in 1926. In total, there are 94 Catholic communities in the city, in addition, there are 15 Orthodox churches, 21 synagogues (220,000 Jews live in Paris), 2 mosques (for 50,000 Muslims, for the most part Sunnis), the Armenian Apostolic Church, located on Gijon Street.

Power

City Hall of Paris

Administratively, Paris is part of the region; forms a department and a commune at the same time, thus the city is governed on two levels.

The mayor of Paris and his deputies are elected by the council of Paris for a term of 6 years. The power of the capital mayor does not exceed the scope of powers of any other mayor of the French city. Anne Hidalgo, a member of the French Socialist Party, has been the mayor of Paris since March 2014. The Council of Paris, as a representative body of the commune, consists of 163 municipal councilors elected by the population in 20 administrative districts for a term of 6 years.

The authorities of the department are represented by the prefect of the department of the city of Paris, the prefect of the police of the city of Paris and the council of Paris, endowed with the powers of the general council of the department.

Sister-city relations were established with only one city, Rome, in 1956 under the motto “Only Paris is worthy of Rome; Only Rome is worthy of Paris." There are partnerships with more than 50 cities around the world.

Administrative division

20 arrondissement of Paris

Sometimes the city of Paris itself is called fr. Paris intra-muros (Paris inside the walls), and Paris, together with the nearest suburbs (Paris agglomeration) - Grand Paris (Greater Paris).

The city is divided into 20 municipal districts, numbered from the center to the periphery in a clockwise spiral, which are assigned postal codes from 75001 to 75020. Each district is in turn divided into four quarters, each of which has its own police department.

Economy

La Defense Business District

Paris is the most important economic center of France, 10% of the country's GNP is produced here. Almost a quarter of all manufacturing enterprises in the country have opened their offices and headquarters in the metropolis. The city has created 349,000 enterprises with 1.64 million jobs, which, in terms of all able-bodied Parisians, is 1.5 jobs per person. However, the number of unemployed Parisians is 8.7%, which is, however, lower than the national average (9.3%) at the end of 2010.

The bulk (85%) of jobs are in the service sector. Despite the fact that the industry is being actively moved out of the city, it continues to provide about a hundred thousand jobs. Approximately the same number of jobs are in small enterprises employed in the field of service (35%), manufacturing (30%), construction (20%) and food (15%).

The tourist business is developed, in which 160,000 people are employed, its share is equal to 13% of the Parisian economy. In 2011, the French capital was visited by 28.2 million tourists, which is 12 times the population of the city. Half of the tourists are French. 12 million people a year come to the French capital on a business trip. In 2007, Chinese tourists spent 79 million euros in Parisian taxi-free shops, Japanese tourists 87 million euros, Russians 72 million euros, and Americans 71 million euros.

Most of the French banks, insurance companies and other financial enterprises are located in Paris. The main French telecommunications companies are also located mainly in Paris: Vivendi Universal, Groupe Lagardère, Groupe TF1. According to the Fortune Global 500, 19 of the world's largest companies were headquartered here in 2012 (more than in any other city in Europe), including the AXA insurance group, BNP Paribas banking groups and Société Générale.

Today the city, together with the business center of Defense opened in the 1950s and 60s in the suburbs, is one of the most important shopping centers in Europe. Thanks to the concentration of French and international firms in the city, Paris provides about a third of the country's GDP. In the rating of attractiveness for investors according to Opinion way, it holds the palm among the cities of continental Europe and the fourth place in the world list.

mass media

Paris ranks third in the world, after and, among the cities that form the global information space. The French broadcaster France Télévisions, the national newspapers Le Figaro, Le Monde and Libération, as well as the international news agency France Presse, the Lagardere media group and the satellite operator Eutelsat are headquartered here.

The daily regional newspaper Le Parisien is published. Free daily newspapers include 20 minutes, Direct Matin and Metronews. The cultural life of the city is covered by the weekly publications Parisscope and L'Officiel des spectacles.

Local television is represented by the regional programs of the national television channel France 3, as well as the regional network Télif.

Gastronomy

Restaurants in the modern sense of the word originated in Paris shortly before the French Revolution. The word "restaurant" comes from the French verb fr. restaurer - to bring back to normal, to give strength (the same root as the Russian word "restoration"), this word has long been applied to dense dishes, meat broths, and from the second half of the 18th century to catering establishments.

In 1786, the Parisian provost issued a decree allowing chefs and restaurateurs to receive visitors until 23 (winter) or 24 hours (summer). It has become a habit for wealthy citizens to arrange business as well as personal meetings not at home, but in a restaurant. The restaurant business developed rapidly, soon the number of restaurants in Paris was already difficult to count.

Some Parisian cafes have been around since the Enlightenment, when they had more of a social function than a place to eat. These include the Prokop cafe, the first literary cafe, now considered the oldest restaurant in Paris, and the cafe de la Régence, which became a meeting place for the best chess players of those times (lasted until the 1950s).

For fans of variety shows in Paris, a large number of cabarets are open. The most famous of them are: Moulin Rouge, Lido, Crazy Horse, Paradise Latin in the Latin Quarter and Folies Bergère.

Transport

Trucking on the Seine

Paris is a major transport hub of the country. Historically, the main roads of the country diverged in radii from the capital, and to this day these radii are clearly visible on road map France. Roads from all possible directions converge to Paris with radii: A1 from , A4 from , A5 from , A6 from , A77 from Nevers, A10 from , A13 from and A16 from . A ring highway has been built directly around the city, with 2 to 4 lanes in each direction. Two more ring roads - A86 and A104 - allow transit traffic to bypass Paris without entering the city.

The river port of Paris, located mainly outside the city, is the largest in France and the second largest in Europe: its annual passenger traffic is 7 million people, cargo turnover - 20 million tons (as of 2008).

Public

Paris Metro

Paris is the birthplace of public transport. His first route appeared on the initiative of Blaise Pascal on March 18, 1662.

Public transport French capital represented by underground (metro and RER) and land (bus and tram), as well as the water Voguéo and the Vélib bike rental network and, of course, taxis. There are 16,623 cars in the city. The main operator of Parisian public transport: RATP (fr. Regie Autonome des Transports Parisiens), in whose jurisdiction are all metro lines and bus routes, three tram lines and two RER lines. The T4 tram line and most of the RER lines are operated by the French Railways (SNCF).

Since 2007, the Vélib network of 1,450 bike rentals located every 300 meters has been in operation. fast way movement within the city, which is inferior even to the subway and cars. Since December 2011, the extensive Autolib electric car rental network has been operating. Since 2008, the Voguéo catamaran network has been operating between Gare d'Austerlitz and Maisons Alfort. under 26 years of age, as well as a single or multi-day Paris Visite pass or a Navigo pass.

Paris Metro opened in July 1900. It consists of 14 lines with a total length of 212.5 km with 300 stations and the Montmartre funicular, making it the densest network in the world. There is no place in the city that is more than 500 meters away from the nearest metro station. Since 1998, line 14 has been operating in the system, the first automatic line in the city.

RER is a high-speed network, the idea of ​​which arose in the 1960s in connection with the rapid growth of the suburbs of Paris, not covered by the subway. Today, the RER (regional express metro) network represents 5 commuter train lines (A, B, C, D, E) passing through the center of Paris. From the RER junction stations, there is a convenient transfer to the metro line.

Paris tram was revived in 1992 due to the increased traffic density. It was previously discontinued in 1937. Directly from the entire tram network of the region, only one tram line (T3), popular among Parisians, runs within the city, while the rest operate in the suburbs. An extension of the line was planned for 2012.

paris bus exists since 1906. Today, the network has 60 routes, as well as Noctilien night buses. For some time there were trolleybuses in Paris. Their heyday came during the years of Nazi occupation, but in 1966 the trolleybus network was liquidated.

Rail and air

Northern Station

Paris is the center of France's railway network. The seven central stations of the city (North, East, Lyon, Austerlitz, Saint-Lazare, Bercy and Montparnasse) serve various train routes, including to London and Moscow (travel time: 2 hours 20 minutes and 39 hours respectively), and also high-speed train lines Eurostar, TGV, Thalys. The northern station with a passenger flow of about 180 million people a year is the busiest in Europe.

For cargo transportation, Le Bourget stations, located in the commune of the same name, and Vaires are used.

The capital of France has four international airports located beyond its borders. Charles de Gaulle Airport, located 25 km from the city, with a passenger flow of 61.6 million people (2012) is the second busiest in Europe. The second largest airport in Paris - Orly, is located 13 km from it. Air France aircraft are based at these airports. There is also Beauvais Airport. Le Bourget Airport serves business aviation and is famous for its international air show.

In terms of passenger air traffic in 2010, the Paris agglomeration ranked 5th in the world and 2nd in Europe. All airports are connected with Paris by buses, Charles de Gaulle Airport is also connected by trains RER and TGV trains, Orly - RER trains , Beauvais - by SNCF railway trains.

Education and science

Paris Sorbonne University

The most prestigious educational institutions in France are located in its capital, which leads in the ranking of student cities in the world. The most famous Paris Sorbonne University was founded in 1257 by Robert de Sorbonne with the aim of teaching a few dozen poor students theology. Quite quickly, the Sorbonne (the university received its name only in the XIV century) became the largest and most prestigious educational institution in Paris and France. Around it formed the famous latin quarter, whose name then spread to the student quarters of other cities. In 1968, the University of Paris was reformed and divided into 13 independent universities, 5 of which are now located in the suburbs of Paris.

The Institute of France is also located in Paris, consisting of 5 academies, the main and most prestigious of which is the French Academy, which became part of the university in 1803. She came from a Parisian literary circle founded in 1629 by Valentin Conrard. State status scientific institution the academy received in 1635. Other prestigious educational institutions are the Collège de France, the Polytechnic School, the Higher Normal School, the Catholic Institute, the Mining Institute and the National Institute of Management.

The largest library in Paris is the National Library of France, founded in 1368 by King Charles V from the funds of a personal library in the Louvre. At the time of its foundation, the library was a repository for a total of 911 manuscripts, since in those days it was customary to destroy all his documents after the death of the monarch. This custom was broken by Louis XI, who began the expansion of the fund. In 1988, President François Mitterrand announced the construction of a new building for the National Library, designed by architect Dominique Perrault. Now the library has more than 10 million printed publications.

Sport

The most popular sports club in Paris is Paris Saint-Germain football club. Founded in 1970, it plays its home games at the Parc des Princes, built at the end of the 19th century.

The main sports arena in Paris is the Stade de France, located in the suburbs of Saint-Denis. The arena was built for the 1998 FIFA World Cup and has a capacity of 80,000 spectators. The stadium is used not only for football matches, but also for athletics, rugby and other sports. In 2016, France hosted the European Football Championship. The city became one of the venues for the tournament, the final match was held at the Stade de France.

The world's most prestigious cycling race, the Tour de France, finishes every year. Since 1975, cyclists have been holding the final stage of the race on the Champs Elysées.

Another popular sport in Paris is tennis. Roland Garros Stadium annually in late May - early June hosts one of the four Grand Slam tournaments, the French Open. In November, the prestigious men's tennis tournament BNP Paribas Masters is held.

Paris hosted the 1900 and 1924 Summer Olympics. Athletics runs are organized annually: the Paris Marathon and the Paris Half Marathon.

culture

Theaters

"Opera Garnier"

The Paris Opera has made a significant contribution to the development operatic art. Today there are two opera houses in Paris: the Opera Garnier, also known as the Grand Opera, and the Bastille Opera. Opened in 1875 and named after the architect, the Opera Garnier, with an area of ​​11,237 m², is the largest opera house in the world. The New Bastille Opera has been in existence since 1989. Since the inauguration of the new opera, the technically inferior Palais Garnier has been used mainly for ballet performances and classical opera performances.

The famous Comedie Francaise was born in 1680 from the merger of Molière's former Illustre Théâtre with several theater companies. Among the actors who played on the stage of the Comedie Francaise were such famous personalities as Sarah Bernhardt and Jean-Louis Barraud. Today the theater performs mainly with the classical repertoire.

Cinema

Cinema as a spectacular art was born precisely in Paris, on December 28, 1895, the first public showing of the Lumiere Brothers Cinematograph took place in the Grand Cafe on the Boulevard des Capucines. Today, the capital of France is considered the capital of cinema, according to statistics, there are 376 cinemas in the city, where about fifty films are shown every week, including new films, reruns of old films, films for children, short films, documentary chronicles in original versions with subtitles and dubbed, thematic festivals. The city has hosted the filming of many films by such famous directors as Woody Allen ("Everyone Says I Love You", "Midnight in Paris"), Bernardo Bertolucci ("Last Tango in Paris"), Marcel Carnet ("Children of Paradise") and many others.

Museums

The Louvre is the largest museum in France

In Paris, there are 173 museums on all sorts of topics, varying greatly in size, with exhibits from all over the world. Museums are divided into national (Louvre and Center Georges Pompidou), museums of the municipality of the city of Paris (Carnavalet Museum) and private collections (Jacquemart-André Museum).

Opened in 1793 in the former residence of the French kings, the Louvre Museum consists of 8 thematic departments, where one of the world's largest collections, consisting of 35,000 exhibits, masterpieces of Western European art of the Middle Ages up to 1848, as well as ancient civilizations, is presented on an area of ​​60,600 m² ancient Egyptians, Romans, Etruscans, civilizations of the Middle East and the art of Islamic peoples. It is there that such world masterpieces as the Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo are kept.

The Musee d'Orsay is located in the building of the former eponymous railway station on the banks of the Seine. The station building was designed by Victor Lalu in 1900 for communication between Paris and Orleans, but was closed in 1939. In the 1980s, under the leadership of Gae Aulenti, the building was converted into a new museum. It is primarily famous for its collection of French impressionists, in total more than 5,000 works of the period 1848-1942, among which are such masterpieces as Manet's "Luncheon on the Grass", the bronze sculpture "The Little Fourteen-Year-Old Dancer" by Degas, the nude painting "The Origin of the World" by G. Courbet.

Musee d'Orsay

Built in 1977 and designed by Renzo Piano, Richard Rogers and Gianfranco Franchini, the Georges Pompidou Cultural Center is France's premier center of contemporary art. The building houses not only a museum of modern art, but also a library, cinema halls, bookstores and children's art studios. The structure of the building itself is noteworthy, the entire infrastructure (elevators, ventilation shafts, escalators) is taken out and painted in bright colors.

The Picasso Museum contains only about 250 paintings, but is one of the most beautiful museums in Paris. The exposition consists of works by Picasso himself, as well as a collection of works by other artists Georges Braque, Paul Cezanne, Henri Matisse and Amedeo Modigliani. The museum is located in the Sale mansion built in 1656-1659 in the Marais quarter.

The medieval palace of the abbots of Cluny now houses the Museum of the Middle Ages (Cluny Museum) with a collection of medieval art objects. From here you can get to the preserved ruins of the terms of the Gallo-Roman period. In September 2000, a 5,000 m² medieval garden was laid out next to the museum building.

For the World Exhibition of 1900, the Great and Small Palaces were designed as exhibition halls. The Bolshoi not only exhibits art objects, but also hosts various fairs and exhibitions, for example, the Paris Motor Show. In Maly, they found a place for a collection of paintings of the French and Italian Renaissance, as well as paintings by Flemish and masters.

Sister cities and partner cities

twin cities

Partner cities

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Architecture

Planning and development

Plan of Paris, 1615

Appearance modern city was set in the middle of the 19th century as a result of a grandiose restructuring. For many centuries before that, it was a labyrinth of narrow streets and wooden houses. In 1852, Baron Haussmann's city improvement plan demolished entire blocks of dilapidated buildings and replaced them with wide avenues and lined neoclassical stone buildings so characteristic of the new bourgeois era. The principles of urban planning of the times of Napoleon III have not lost their relevance even now: the height and dimensions of buildings are subject to a single law of uniformity, since the middle of the 19th century only a few exceptions to the rules have been made. Thanks to this, Paris remains "flat".

The boulevards laid out by Baron Haussmann in the area of ​​Place Charles de Gaulle

Typical for the architecture of Paris is a special type of hôtel particulier mansions. Such a mansion is a rich U-shaped private house with a courtyard and a garden on the back side of the middle part of the building. Most of the buildings were made in the 17th-18th centuries; for the buildings of the 18th century, a hallmark is a courtyard closed on all four sides. The most impressive example of this is the Palais Royal building, royal palace with inner square, fountain and park. Most of the surviving city mansions are located in the Marais quarter, for example, the Soubise Hotel, the Sale Hotel and the Carnavale Hotel.

The invariable boundaries of the city, its clear plan of organization and the lack of space for new construction gradually turned the capital into a functioning and living museum. For the sake of preserving the great heritage, laws make it difficult to build new buildings and communications in the center, so a significant number of business organizations have moved or are planning to move to convenient suburbs. Already outside the historic city are the business district of Defense, a large food market (Rangis), important educational institutions (Polytechnic Institute), scientific laboratories, sports facilities (Stade de France) and even ministries (for example, the Ministry of Transport ). All of them are conveniently connected to the central part of Paris by metro lines.

Cemeteries

Père Lachaise Cemetery

According to the established Christian tradition, they tried to bury the dead on the ground adjacent to the church. In 1786, due to reasons of public hygiene, it was decided to stop burials in overcrowded cemeteries at churches in the city center and close them, and transfer the remains to underground mined quarries south of Paris (the modern catacombs of Paris in the 14th arrondissement).

The discovery of the largest Parisian cemeteries dates back to the beginning of the 19th century, during the reign of Napoleon I. The development of the city led to the fact that these cemeteries, once located on the outskirts, turned out to be a kind of green oasis of calm in the center of various quarters of the noisy capital. In total, there are 14 cemeteries in Paris, according to statistics, about 34,000 trees grow on them.

Many great people of France and all over the world have found their last resting place in the Père Lachaise cemetery, a real open-air necropolis-museum of the funeral art of the XIX century in the open air, the Montmartre cemetery, a labyrinth on 11 hectares, Montparnasse, due to its strict layout, has earned the name "bay of tranquility" and Passy Cemetery, small but with the highest density of celebrities per square metre.

Architectural monuments

The embankments of the Seine in 1991 were included in the list world heritage UNESCO. The suburban Palace of Fontainebleau and the Palace of Versailles were listed in 1979 and 1981 respectively.

Paris has a huge number of attractions, which include not only architectural buildings, but also streets, bridges and squares. The city has 1800 historical sites and 130 museums, 14 of them belong to the city, admission to them is free. One of the most famous sights, the openwork metal Eiffel Tower, designed by the engineer Eiffel. The tower was conceived as a temporary building serving as the entrance to the 1889 World's Fair. But she not only survived the event itself, but also became a true symbol of the city. To the north of it, above the horizon line, rises the Sacré-Coeur Basilica, built on the top of the Montmartre hill, and to the south, the lone Tour Montparnasse tower, which stands out against the background of the “flat” area.

The historical axis of architectural monuments crosses the city from the center to the west. Starting from the world-famous Louvre Museum, it continues through the Tuileries Garden, Avenue Champs Elysees to Arc de Triomphe, built in the 19th century in the center of Star Square. In the 1960s on the continuation of the line, the quarter of Defense was built, the center of which was the Great Arch of Defense.

In the very center of the historical part is the House of Invalides, which houses a military museum, the remains of Napoleon Bonaparte are also buried here. There is also the former church of the Pantheon, guarding the eternal rest of the once famous French figures. Another reminder of the fierce battles for the freedom of the French people is the Statue of Liberty, installed on Swan Island. The original of this statue was donated in 1886 and has been welcoming travelers to the port ever since.

The historic center of the city is the Ile de la Cité, where two of the most famous churches in France are located: Notre Dame Cathedral and Sainte-Chapelle. Next to the Ile de la Cité is the Ile Saint-Louis, famous for its ice cream, recognized as one of the best in the world.

Architectural trends of the 20th century have left the city with such monuments as the Cultural Center named after Georges Pompidou, which now houses the Museum of Modern Art, the new opera house on Place de la Bastille, the Les Halles shopping center, built on the site of the "Womb of Paris", as well as the district Defense, which is architectural complex from skyscrapers and buildings and structures with avant-garde forms.

Of undoubted interest is also the park ensemble "City of Science and Industry", which houses a large museum of science and technology. Antique lovers can visit the Saint-Ouen and Marche-aux-Pus-de-Vanves flea markets.

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Friends, who among us would not like to visit the capital of France. So much has been said and talked about the beauty of Paris! After all, it was not in vain that Hemingway once remarked that “Paris is a holiday that is always with you.”

Paris is definitely worth a visit, especially with your soulmate. The Eiffel Tower, the Champs Elysees, the Louvre, the Arc de Triomphe - all this awaits us in the capital of France. Today we want to make together with you, dear readers, a correspondence trip to Paris!

The history of Paris is very interesting, like the whole history of France. Archaeological excavations allow us to assert that Paris is a very ancient city. Yes, dear readers, the territory of Ile-de-France (that is, the central part of France, including Paris) was inhabited by people already 40,000 years ago. Finding wooden bows, arrows, pottery, tools and tools made of bone and stone in this area allows us to conclude that the ancient settlers of Paris were quite advanced people.

Friends, you probably know that the French territory in ancient times was not yet France, but Gaul. It became France with the advent of the German tribes of the Franks to this land. So, while she was Gaul, then Paris was not yet Paris, but Lutetia, so called because of its swampy terrain.

Somehow this area attracted the Gallic tribe of the Parisians, if they founded a settlement there in the 3rd century BC. Guy Julius Caesar with his army repeatedly tried to capture the city, but no such luck! The Parisians set fire to Lutetia and destroyed the bridges, just like the Russians in Moscow in 1812.

The Frankish king Clovis was not so scrupulous, he simply took Gaul, and made Paris the capital of his kingdom. We think that it is already clear where Paris got its name from - from the name of the Parisian tribe - Paris.

Paris au MoyenÂge

In the Middle Ages, Paris becomes one of the main European centers of education and culture. At first, under the Merovingian and Carolingian dynasty, Paris - small town, the modest residence of kings. But everything changes with the coming to power of Hugo Capet!

It is worth saying a few words about this glorious king. In addition to the fact that he carried out several important reforms and positive changes in the country, he is also the founder of perhaps the strongest dynasty of kings in Europe; for the Capetians (here it is worth mentioning Philip II Augustus, Louis IX Saint, Philip IV the Handsome, Philip III, Louis VIII, Philip V) brought France to the world level and made it the leading European power. In addition to all this, Capet gave Paris a special status, which he retained throughout the history of France. Paris began to develop at an accelerated pace, both in terms of urban development and culturally.

Under King Philip II Augustus, streets were paved, many buildings were built, the defense of the city was strengthened, a city wall was built on the right bank of the Seine, the construction of the Louvre began, a university and an academic quarter were founded; crafts and trade flourished.

Under Louis IX the Saint was founded by his confessor Robert de Sorbon, guess what? - of course, the famous Sorbonne - La Sorbonne. In addition, the Sainte-Chapelle was built and work on the construction of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, Notre Dame de Paris, progressed significantly.

The Valois dynasty comes to replace the Capetians and this is already a new round in the history of the capital of France. During the Hundred Years War, Paris suffers many upheavals, uprisings and, as a result, falls into disrepair. But King Charles V the Wise puts the city in order, and also pacifies all sorts of uprisings. At this time, the Bastille is being built to maintain this very order.

In the 16th century, King Francis I was a lover of everything beautiful, so Paris experienced its cultural revival under him. By order of the king, new palaces, parks and hotels in the Renaissance style are being built in the capital. From all over Europe, the best artists, musicians, and artisans flock to France. It should be noted, friends, that they had a reason - the king patronized them, therefore, going to France, they knew for sure that they would be provided with work.

Under the Bourbon dynasty, the royal residence moved to Versailles, but Paris continued to develop and build up. Now the buildings are built in the style of classicism, baroque and rococo. During this period, Les Invalides, Victory Square, Place Vendôme and much more were built.

In the XVIII century, Paris becomes a trendsetter and a center of entertainment and fun. As you can see, friends, the kings took care of Paris like their own child. The stagnation of development occurred during the period of the bourgeois revolution, well, it is understandable.

Paris is close to Russian people, because after the October Revolution of 1917, Paris becomes the capital of Russian emigration. In the First World War, Paris was not damaged, since the Germans did not reach it. In the Second World War, the Germans reached Paris, but since the government hastened to surrender, the city was not damaged.

And today Paris is not only the capital of France, but also the world capital of fashion, architecture, with its own unique charm and grandeur. The French kings did their best!

Le nom de Paris

As for the name of the city, here historians disagree. The word "Paris" itself comes from the Latin name Civitas Parisiorium- the city of Parisii or Parisii (from the name of the Gallic tribe). But historians such as Rigord of Saint-Denis believe that the foundation of Paris is connected with the capture of Troy. That is, the Trojans who emigrated settled on the banks of the Seine and named their city after Paris. Word Parisia from ancient Greek it is translated as "daring", "courage".

Well, the historian Gilles Corroze in his work of 1532 believes that the city is named after Isis ( Par Isis) - the Egyptian goddess, whose statue is located in the temple of Saint-Germain-des-Pres.

Les symboles de Paris

Paris is like a small republic within a republic, with its own coat of arms, flag and motto. Talk about it with the native French, they will be very proud and happy to tell you about the symbols of Paris.

The same wonderful king Charles V the Wise of the Valois dynasty approved official coat of arms of Paris in 1358. The coat of arms depicts a ship symbolizing the island of Cité - the very heart of Paris, in the form of a ship, a boat (indicating the main component of the urban economy - trade and trading companies). In the upper part of the emblem there is an azure field with golden lilies - the emblem of the Capetian dynasty, under whose patronage Paris was. Everything was taken into account by the glorious Charles V the Wise!

During the Great Bourgeois Revolution, all signs of the nobility, including coats of arms, were abolished. Well, it is not surprising, the revolution abolished everything. Well, at least Napoleon restored everything and Paris was returned to its glorious coat of arms.

Motto of the city of Paris smoothly follows from the symbolism of its coat of arms - Fluctuat nec mergitur (Floats but does not sink).

Flag of the city is the colors of the revolutionary cockades - blue and red.

patroness the city of Paris is Saint Genevieve, who, with her prayers, saved the city from the invasion of the Huns led by Attila.

So, in an incredible and amazing way, Paris intertwines the origins of the French monarchy and the remnants of the revolution, antiquity and modern style. Perhaps that is why Paris is the city of dreams.

Paris (France) - the most detailed information about the city with a photo. The main attractions of Paris with descriptions, guides and maps.

City of Paris (France)

Paris is the capital and largest city of France, located in the northern part of the country on the banks of the Seine River in the center of the Île-de-France region. It is one of the most romantic and fashionable cities in the world, which attracts millions of tourists with its famous sights, magnificent architecture, fashionable boutiques and a special atmosphere of love and freedom.

"See Paris and die"

Paris is a dream city. Who has not heard this catchphrase, who did not want to visit Paris, and after visiting again come back here.

This city attracts absolutely everyone: lovers of fashion and romance, art and history, architecture and food. Here you will find absolutely everything: world-famous museums, the most fashionable shops, interesting sights, cozy restaurants and the most romantic places.

Paris is a city of love and light, the capital of fashion and a literary paradise, a city of a thousand faces that makes you fall in love at first sight.

Story

The founding of Paris dates back to the 3rd century BC. It was at this time that a settlement was founded on the island of Cité by the Celtic tribe of the Parisians, which first gave the name to the Gallo-Roman city of Parisia, and later transformed into Paris. The city became the capital of France in the 10th century and remained so, with few interruptions, for many centuries.

Antiquity. Paris grew up on the site of the ancient settlement of the Parisian tribe - Lutetia. This is a Celtic tribe in the 3rd century BC. built a fortified settlement on the island of Cité. Trade was the basis of their economy. In 52 BC. they joined the revolt of the Gauls. In the same year they were defeated by the Romans at the Battle of Lutetia. The Romans rebuilt the city. An aqueduct, baths, an amphitheater, and a forum were erected here. In the 4th century the city was besieged by the Franks. After a ten-year siege - taken. It became the capital of the Frankish state in the 5th century.

Middle Ages. At the beginning of the 5th century, Paris became the capital of the Merovingian state. In the 6th century, the city grew rapidly and was built. This was greatly facilitated not only by its political function, but also by trade. In the 7th century, the city ceased to be the capital of the Frankish state. In the 10th century, Paris again became the capital after the coronation of the first king of France from the Capet dynasty. Until the 12th century, the population of the city was mainly concentrated on the island-fortress of Cite. The royal residence was located here until the 14th century. In the 12th-13th century, there was an active settlement of the right bank of the Seine. In the first half of the 15th century, during the Hundred Years War, the city was occupied by the British. From the middle of the 15th century to the middle of the 16th century the capital was moved to Tours.

new time. In the 16th century, Paris again became the capital of France. At the same time, the city was shaken by terrible religious wars (for example, the infamous St. Bartholomew's Night). By the end of the 16th century, more than 300 thousand people lived in Paris.

In the 17th century, King Louis XIV moved the royal residence to Versailles. At the beginning of the 18th century, the city was divided into 20 districts, and a wall was erected around it, which became its administrative border.

In 1814, Russian troops entered Paris.

In the 19th century the city became one of the main cultural and economic centers of Europe.

It is interesting that the city acquired its modern appearance in the middle of the 19th century as a result of a grandiose reconstruction initiated by Baron Osman. According to his project, old dilapidated buildings were demolished, and narrow streets were replaced by wide avenues with neoclassical stone buildings.

20th century. During World War II, Paris was occupied by German troops. Released in August 1944. In 1968, there were riots in the city, which led to a change of government.

Best time to visit

Paris is beautiful in any season and any weather. But still, the ideal time to visit Paris is April-May and September-October. At this time, the city usually pleases with good weather and not so big amount tourists (although in Paris there are always enough of them). The highest season is June-July and the Christmas holidays. In August, there are much fewer tourists, but keep in mind that many establishments close at this time. There are also very few tourists in November, February and March. In the lowest seasons, a trip to Paris will be cheaper.

Practical information for tourists

1. The official language is French.
2. Monetary unit - euro.
3. To visit the capital of France, you need a Schengen visa.
4. Tipping at restaurants is included in the price. If you liked the service and food, you can leave a couple of euros on top or round the amount up. It is customary for taxi drivers to tip 5-10% of the amount, for hotel staff - 1-2 euros.
5. There are no problems with cashless payments in Paris. Visa / MasterCard bank cards are accepted almost everywhere. Fees may apply for cash withdrawals.
6. Toilets. In the center of Paris there are free public toilets, marked with the signs "toiletes" or "WC". You can also go to the toilet in cafes and bars, buying something like tea or coffee there. For children, an exception may be made, but it is better to ask the staff first.
7. You can drink tap water in Paris, although many Parisians and tourists buy bottled water.
8. Paris is a generally safe city. Basically, you should be wary of pickpocketing. Be vigilant, do not leave your belongings unattended, do not fall for any distracting tricks of strangers (sign something, help find something, etc.). It is not recommended to visit areas where people from African countries and migrants live.
9. Hotel reservations must be made in advance. It is also better to buy tickets online for popular attractions or excursions in advance.
10. You should always have identification documents with you (passport with a visa). It is forbidden to leave your luggage and belongings unattended.

How to get there

Paris is a major air transport hub. Charles de Gaulle International Airport is located 28 kilometers away, with flights to which there are almost all European airports and most international airports Russia and of Eastern Europe. While a high-speed railway line is being built, which will reduce the time to Paris to 20 minutes, the main means of transportation is the bus and metro.

Bus routes from the airport

• Route 2 - to the Arc de Triomphe through the Eiffel Tower. The cost is 17 euros. Departure every 30 minutes from 5.45 to 23.00
• Route 4 - Montparnasse train station and Montparnasse airport. The cost is 17 euros. Departure every 30 minutes from 5.45 to 22.30.
• Route 351 - to Nation Square. The cost is 6 euros. Departure every 30 minutes from 5.45 to 23.00

Metro - line B. Cost 10 euros. Opening hours from 5.00 to 23.00 Gare du Nord, Châtelet–Les Halles and St-Michel–Notre Dame stations will take you to the center.

The cost of a taxi from the airport to the left bank of the Seine is 55 euros, to the right - 50 euros. The rate is fixed.

Not far from Paris there is another airport - Orly. But he is less popular.

It is also easy to get to Paris by bus and train.

Timetable and ticket prices for trains - https://en.voyages-sncf.com/?redirect=yes

Train stations in Paris

• Saint-Lazare - trains from Normandy arrive here.
• Montparnasse - trains coming from the southwest: Loire Valley, Bordeaux, Portugal and Spain.
• Gare de Lyon - Riviera, Provence, Italy, Switzerland, Alps.
• East Station - Southern Germany, Alsace, Champagne, Basel, Zurich, etc.

Public transport

Public transport in Paris is represented by metro lines, RER, buses, trams. The most convenient way to get around Paris is the metro and RER.

The metro has 14 numbered lines, RER - 5. But most likely you will only need A, B, C. When buying tickets, consider how many zones (lines) you cross. For example, from Charles de Gaulle Airport to the center of Paris, you need to buy a ticket for lines 1-5.

Trains start running at 5.45. The last train leaves around midnight. IN public transport Paris uses a single ticket. They can be bought at the box office at the stations and in special machines. There are one-time tickets, weekly, monthly and annual. A single ticket allows you to ride the metro for 1.5 hours.

Food and drink

There will be no problems with food in Paris. There is just a huge selection of food establishments from expensive restaurants to cozy street cafes and noisy bars with French, European, Oriental and Asian cuisine. All known fast food chains are represented. On the streets you can buy a variety of snacks from local to banal hot dogs.

Must try dishes french cuisine- oysters, foie gras, cheeses, poultry and beef dishes, sausages and ham, onion soup, famous French baguettes and pastries, salads.

From drinks, of course, French wine. By the way, lovers of beer can try good varieties of local beer.

To save on food, you need to eat away from tourist routes. You can also buy food in supermarkets. If your room is equipped with a kitchen, you have a direct road to local markets.

Markets (grocery):

• Marche International de Rungis - 94152 Rungis
• bd Richard Lenoir, 11e - market near Place de la Bastille
• bd de Belleville, 11e & 20e
• 85bis bd de Magenta, 10e
• rue d'Aligre, 12e

Shopping and shopping

Paris is a true paradise for shopaholics and fashion lovers. There are a lot of shops here from the world's elite brands to fairly inexpensive ones (especially during sales).

First of all, you should look at the famous Champs Elysees or Montmartre. There are also many shops scattered along the streets of the historic center.

All sorts of things and antiques can be found at the largest flea market in Europe - rue des Rosiers, St-Ouen

Shopping centers and outlets in Paris:

• Beaugrenelle Paris, 12 rue Linois - 75015 Paris
• Bercy Village, Cour Saint-Émilion - 75012 Paris
• Forum des Halles,101 rue Porte Berger - 75001 Paris
• Outlet La Vallée Village Chic Outlet Shopping, 3 cours de la Garonne - 77700 Serris - Marne-la-Vallée
• One Nation Paris Outlet, 1 avenue du President Kennedy - 78340 Les Clayes sous Bois
• Val d "Europe, 14 cours du Danube - 77711 Marne-la-Vallée

The best panoramas of Paris on the map

Do you want to enjoy the coolest panoramas of Paris? Especially for you, we marked them on the map. Enjoy the best views of the most romantic city on Earth!

• Lookout at the Basilica of Sacré-Coeur - overcoming 300 steps of a spiral staircase you will find yourself in the dome of the basilica, which will open for you one of the most breathtaking panoramas of Paris. Opening hours: May-September from 8.00 to 20.30, October-April from 8.00 to 17.30. The cost is 6 euros, only cash is accepted.
• The observation deck on the Arc de Triomphe is a great view of the famous Champs Elysees. Tickets are sold in the tunnel under the arch. The cost is 12 euros. Opening hours from 8.00 to 23.00 (March-October until 22.30).
• The famous Notre Dame will give one of the best views of the historical part of Paris. Ticket price - 10 euros. The observation tower is open from 10.00 to 18.30.
• Probably the coolest panorama of Paris opens from the Eiffel Tower. Ticket prices and online purchase (it is better to buy them in advance) - http://ticket.toureiffel.fr/index-css5-setegroupe-pg1.html. Opening hours from 9.30 to 23.00.

Sights of Paris

Let's start our review with the main attraction of Paris and its symbol - the Eiffel Tower.

Business card of Paris. This is a huge steel structure 325 meters high, built in 1889. Named after the architect Gustave Eiffel.

This massive structure weighing 10,000 tons was built in 2 years and 2 months for the World's Fair. Interestingly, at first the Eiffel Tower was conceived as a temporary structure. But she stayed forever. Although many Parisians treated her very negatively and believed that she did not paint the "face" of Paris. But you need to face the truth - now it is strongly associated with the city.

It is the most visited paid attraction in the world and the most photographed. Therefore, it is better to buy tickets in advance online. Also, be sure to admire the tower at nightfall, when the light illumination turns on.

Between eiffel tower and the military school is the Champ de Mars - a public park with beautiful landscape design and excellent views of the main attraction of Paris.

The next attraction that every tourist simply must see is the legendary Notre Dame Cathedral or Notre Dame de Paris. This is the oldest temple in Paris, located in its oldest part - the island of Cité.

Montmartre is a hill and the district of Paris with the same name. This is the highest point in the capital of France. Montmartre is an area of ​​artists and bohemia. Here you can feel the atmosphere of bohemian and relaxed Paris, go to cozy and colorful cafes, climb the hill along the famous stairs.

The area was inhabited already in the Gallo-Roman period. In the Middle Ages, a monastery and many windmills were built. In the 19th century, living in Paris became more expensive, so Montmartre became a creative workshop and a home for artists and writers. Van Gogh, Picasso and others lived and worked here.

The main attraction of Montmartre is the Sacré-Coeur Basilica.

Sacré Coeur is a white marble basilica built in the 19th century in the Roman-Byzantine style, which is not typical for Europe. Located at the top of the hill in the high point cities.

Well, what is Paris without the famous Champs Elysees.

The Champs Elysees is the main avenue of Paris, almost 2 kilometers long. There are many brand shops and expensive restaurants here. Start from Place de la Concorde to the Arc de Triomphe.

The Arc de Triomphe is an impressive monument built by order of Napoleon in the first half of the 19th century in the antique style. Decorated with bas-reliefs and sculptures.

Another famous landmark is Versailles.

Versailles is the former residence of kings, located in the suburbs of Paris. This is the largest palace and park complex in Europe, built in the 17th century in the style of classicism. After the French Revolution, it was turned into a museum. The main asset of Versailles is the park - an outstanding masterpiece of landscape design: flower beds, lawns, sculptures and amazing fountains.

Versailles opening hours:

• Castle from 9.00 to 18.30
• Gardens from 8.00 to 20.30
• Park from 7.00 to 20.30

Other sights and places of interest in Paris

Saint-Sulpice is a 17th-century church with an unfinished Classicist façade. She became famous thanks to Dan Brown's book "The Da Vinci Code" and its subsequent film adaptation.

The Luxembourg Gardens is a famous palace and park complex with beautiful landscape design and a fountain. It occupies 26 hectares and is divided into two parts. One part is classical French, the other is an English-style park.

The House or Palace of the Invalids is an architectural monument of the 17th century. It was built as a home for the honored military. Interestingly, he still accepts disabled people. There are also museums (mainly related to the army, history) and military burials. Napoleon Bonaparte and other famous people and military leaders found their last rest here.

The Tuileries is a palace and park complex in the center of Paris, which forms a single system with the Louvre. It used to belong to the kings of France. Perfect place for walking and relaxing. In front of the Tuileries Palace on Place Carruzel, a triumphal arch was built, glorifying the victories of Napoleon. The bas-reliefs that adorn the arch are also dedicated to Bonaparte.

Place de la Concorde or Concordia is one of the central squares Paris. It is considered a masterpiece of urban construction in the style of classicism. Concordia is one of the largest squares in France. It was built by order of Louis XV in the 18th century. In addition to architecture, the Egyptian obelisk, which was installed on the square in the 19th century, attracts attention.

Place de la Bastille is one of the most important historical places in Paris, where the famous Bastille fortress was located until the end of the 18th century. The fortress was dismantled after the Revolution. It took three years. After that, they put up a sign with the inscription - "from now on they dance here." The tradition of organizing festivities here is still preserved. In the center of the square is the July Column, built in the first half of the 19th century.

The Parisian Pantheon is an architectural monument, the burial place of famous people of France and Paris: politicians, soldiers, artists, writers, poets, scientists. Here they found peace: Hugo, Voltaire, Rousseau, Papin, Curie.

Catacombs - network underground tunnels and caves that are of artificial origin. No one knows for sure their length (according to various sources, from 190 to 300 km). They keep many secrets of Paris, and ancient burials give them a gloomy atmosphere. It is believed that about 6 million people are buried here.

In fact, the catacombs are old quarries. Their history began in the 10th century. Approximately 2 km are equipped for tourists. At the same time, the number of people who are allowed underground at the same time should not exceed 200. Therefore, the queue here can be quite large. The place of burial is called the ossuary. After the overflow of city cemeteries in the 18th century, it was decided to store the remains of the dead in the catacombs.

The entrance to the catacombs is located near the Denfert-Rochereau station, near the lion sculpture. Opening hours from Tuesday to Sunday from 10.00 to 20.30. To go down to the dungeon you need to overcome 140 steps, to go up - 83. The temperature in the catacombs is a constant temperature of 14 degrees, so dress accordingly. The cost of a ticket with an audio guide is 27 euros, without - 12 (16) euros.

Saint-Martin is a 4.5 km long Parisian canal dug to supply the Parisian fountains in the first half of the 19th century. Enough popular place French capital.

Pont Alexandre III is one of the most beautiful bridges in Paris, 160 meters long, built at the end of the 19th century as a symbol of the union between Russia and France. Nicholas II decided to name this bridge in honor of his father, Emperor Alexander III. The bridge is a masterpiece of the Beaux Arts style and is located close to the Champs Elysées.

Guide to the main attractions of Paris (map)

Top free places in Paris

Paris is not a cheap city. It's hard enough to be a budget tourist here. Especially when there are so many temptations lurking around, where it is easy to spend all the money. But in Paris there are many free places. Here is our TOP:

• Entrance to the legendary Notre Dame is free. You just need to stand in line.
• Swap meet Saint Ouen - Check out some of the weirdest things you'll never buy. Getting there - Porte de Clignancourt (line 4)
• Champ de Mars - lawns and flower beds arranged with amazing precision. An amazing piece of landscape design. Grab a blanket, buy a bottle of wine at the store, and enjoy the Eiffel Tower in peace.
• Pere Lachaise Cemetery is an ancient cemetery that will give you one of the most atmospheric Parisian walks. Balzac, Oscar Wilde, Edith Piaf found their last rest here. How to get there - Père Lachaise (line 2) or Gambetta (line 3).
• If you want to visit the museum for free - the Museum of Modern Art is waiting for you. How to get there - line 9, Ledru-Rollin.
• Sacre Coeur. Main religious building Montmartre will delight you with free admission. You will have to pay only if you want to climb the dome or view the crypt.
• Parc Butte Chaumont is a cool park for those who like to exercise. There are many birds, rocky landforms and even a waterfall. Getting there - line 7, Buttes Chaumont
• Canal Saint-Martin is an amazingly picturesque place located in the 10th arrondissement of Paris between Place de la République and Gare du Nord.
• Belleville is a very atmospheric multicultural place. Chinatown and many artists will open a completely different Paris for you.
• The Tuileries Garden is a beautiful garden between the Louvre and Place de la Concorde. He will lead you in the footsteps of Marie Antoinette to the Arc de Triomphe of Napoleon.