Paris

Fashion, cosmetics, romance and historical relics, these terms arebound to conjure certain images in your head. And it is Paris, the capital city of France which perfectly blends together all these elements. Located in the north of the country on the river Seine, Paris is an internationally reputed centre for business, fashion and entertainment. The name “Paris” derives from that of its earliest
inhabitants, the Gaulish tribe known as the Parisii. Paris, aptly nicknamed the ‘City of Lights’, endorses the motto ‘Fluctuatnecmergitur’, which translates into “It is tossed by the waves, but does
not sink”.

Home to numerous iconic landmarks such as Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe, the Notre-Dame Cathedral, the Louvre Museum, Moulin Rouge, and Lido etc. Paris also happens to be the most popular tourist destinations in the world. Statistics reveal that Paris attracts 45 million tourists annually. The dominantly used currency here is Euro.

The climate of Paris is tempered by the North Atlantic Current. The overall climate throughout the year is mild and moderately wet. Summers in Paris are warm and pleasant.  Rain falls throughout theyear. Snowfall is uncommon in winters. It’s a great idea to visit Paris during summer as the weather is very pleasant. The ‘city of love’ is well connected by air.  Within Paris, an array of commuting options ranging from skating, bicycles to taxis or exploring the gorgeous city on foot are available.

It is a daunting task to create an itinerary for a visit to Paris as the city is flooded with numerous iconic tourist attractions and one visit is insufficient to explore it in its entirety. However, first things first, Paris has always been synonymous with Eiffel Tower and any trip to Paris would be incomplete without visiting it. Constructed for the 1889 World Exposition and towering at more than 1,000 feet,Eiffel Tower also happens to be one of the world’s most photographed tourist attractions. Another one of Paris’ most coveted attractions is the Louvre. The Louvre Palace with its signature glass pyramid is the site of the world’s largest and most diverse collection of pre-20thcentury paintings and sculptures such as Leonardo da Vinci’s “Mona Lisa,” Michelangelo’s “Dying Slave” and the Greek statue, “Venus of Milo’. Arc de Triomphe which was commissioned by Emperor Napoléon I in1806 to memorialize his triumphal battles is another important tourist attraction of Paris. Notre Dame cathedral, a 13th century masterpiece of French Gothic architecture comprising two lofty towers and a spire is another popular site which tourists make a point to visit.

As far as food is concerned, Paris also happens to be one of Europe’s culinary centres. Paris is nown of it’s high quality cuisine and a diversity of meal dishes. Some of the must haves drinks and dishes
when in Paris include Pot-au-Feu, EntrecôteMarchand de vin, Champagne, macaroons, croissant, crepes and falafel among others.

Paris has something to offer for every kind of tourist. So when planning a trip to Europe, make sure that Paris ranks first in your list of must visit cities!