Truly one of the most intriguing cities of the world is Paris. With its old world Renaissance style and expensive designer tastes, its a city that you must tick off the bucket list at least once in your life.
Paris has been one of Europe's major centers of finance, commerce, fashion, science, and the art since around about the early 17th Century. The city is divided into twenty arrondissements municipaux, (administrative districts) or more simply referred to as arrondissements. These are small suburbs that make up the main city area of Paris. The number outwards from the center in a spiral clockwise fashion so its an easy city to get your bearings in.
Generally, the closer you are to the city (for example, the 1st Arrondissement) the more of the iconic and popular tourist spots you will find. But as you may have guessed, its also where the more expensive hotels are as well. If you stick to hotels around the inner outer of the city (the 12th Arrondissment and higher) you will get much more reasonable rates, however there are always the little hidden gems to be found.
Paris has an extensive and well planned Metro system. So regardless of where you are its an easy city to navigate.
With the Seine river running roughly through the center of the city, its also a beautiful city to walk through if you have the time. With its neoclassical and renaissance type of architecture, the city has a glamorous old worldly charm. Where, even when you can see the crumbling of some older structures, you are still struck by their grandeur.
It was named the City of Lights originally because it was a vast center of education and ideas during the Age of Enlightenment, and also because it was one of the first European cities to widely use gas lamps to light the streets. Now, its more known for the sparkling twinkle of the city and the beautiful Eiffel Tower, which sparkles for about 5 minutes every hours from sunset until about 1am.
The city is full of beautiful churches and cathedrals that really showcase the medieval majesty of the city. places like Notre-Dame are some of the finer examples of French Gothic architecture in the entire world. With its stone Gargoyles looking out over the city-scape, it also makes for some of the most impressive views of the city.
Paris is so full of amazing museums and culture too. Some of the most famous paintings and sculptures in the world are housed here. With places such as the Louvre, The Pompidou Center, The Orsay Museum and the Orangerie Museum, there is no shortage of amazing and inspiring art to enjoy.
The city of Paris is also a designers heaven. With so many of the worlds top designers in one place, its no wonder Paris is such an envied and fashionable city.
And don't forget the food. The amazing pastries and deserts that France is famous for. And add it to your bucket list - Try the escargot and frogs legs! Its weird but its iconic French. Trust me when i say, its actually pretty darn good...despite appearances.
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