Paris, the capital of France, is known for its romantic encounters and the opportunity for deep cultural immersion. Along with some of the finest galleried art in the world, Paris' 54 square miles offer a diverse mix of architecture including Medieval, Renaissance and Modern styles.
The most visited city in the world, Paris is also home to 2 million people within its city limits and another 11 million in its metropolitan area.
History of Paris, France
Paris was settled in 5000 B.C., under the name of Letetia. Around 400 A.D., this city on the Seine River took its current name.
Other important events in Parisian history are as follows:
- 11th and 12th centuries: Construction of many legendary structures including the Notre Dame Cathedral took place.
- Late 14th century: Half of Paris succumbs to a plague known as the Black Death, spread by rats and human contact.
- 15th century: The Renaissance transforms Paris into a mecca of art, science and architecture.
- 1643: Louis IV became king of France at the age of 5 and reigned over a period of prosperity and decadence.
- July 14, 1789: The French Revolution begins, ending in 1792 with King Louis VI and Marie Antoinette at the guillotine.
- 1799: After a reign of terror, General Napoleon Bonaparte stabilized the government.
- 1920s and 1930s: Paris is again a cultural center for literature and art, a haven for the likes of painter Pablo Picasso and writer Gertrude Stein.
- 1940s: 1940: Nazis invade Paris, 1944: Allied forces liberate the city.
Culture of Paris, France
Still a gathering place for artists and free thinkers, Paris has a very progressive culture. The fashion capital of the world, the city boasts a collection of fashion designers that includes Chanel, Dior and Yves Saint Laurent and boasts two haute couture shows a year.
Parisians enjoy some of the world's finest cuisine. Art continues to be a major presence in Paris not only inside the renowned Louvre and dozens of other galleries but also on the sides of buildings and the palettes of strolling painters.
Sexuality is often flaunted by Parisians, whose Pigalle Place in Montmartre contains the Moulin Rouge cabaret and Musee d'Erotisme, or the erotic museum.
With a work week limited by the government to 35 hours and typically five to eight weeks of vacation per year, Paris residents have plenty of time to enjoy their city's offerings.
Features of Paris, France
Paris is known for its many attractions including the Notre Dame Cathedral, arguably the most famous cathedral in the world, which divides the city's right and left banks of the Seine River. The Eiffel Tower, built for the World Exposition of 1889, is the best-known symbol of Paris.
Another well-known site is the Arc de Triomphe, dedicated to Napoleon Bonaparte in the 1800s.
Government and Citizens of Paris, France
Bertrand Delanoe is the elected mayor of Paris, which is located in the French province of Ile-de-France. Delanoe presides over the 20 arrondissements, or districts, each of which also has a local mayor and council, and the police force.
Immigrants, mostly from Algiers, Morocco and Tunisia, make up 20% of Paris’ population. Three-quarters of all Parisians live in the suburbs.
The official language is French, and since 1994, the law has demanded that French be used in education, commerce, workplaces, the media and other official venues.
Education in Paris, France
Throughout France, school attendance is free and required by law until the age of 16. Students can pursue a college preparatory path or a technical course. University is also free, but students must pass a difficult exam to be accepted.
Paris has perhaps the most famous school in the world, the University of Paris, which is often referred to as the Sorbonne, which is actually the school of arts and sciences, only. Another top school of higher education is the American University of Paris, which has a multilingual, multicultural environment.
The Paris, France Economy
One-fourth of France's entire workforce is in Paris and its surrounding area. Paris's leading industries include tourism, banking and manufacturing of high-end items such as fashion, colognes and jewelry. In the suburbs, automobile manufacturing is a major employer but overall, the manufacturing base has been reduced since its peak in the 1970s to 10% of the region’s gross domestic product (GDP).
In 2007, its GDP was $731.3 billion in U.S. dollars, making it the fifth largest of any urban area in the world, following Tokyo, New York, Los Angeles and Chicago. If Paris were a country, that figure would make it the 17th largest economy in the world.
Top executives pay taxes of up to 60% of their salary but they have free, universal healthcare.
French currency, once the franc, changed to the Euro in 2002 as did the other currencies of the European Union.
Related Paris, France Resources
About.com Paris Travel: Arc de Triomphe [1]
About.com Paris Travel: Bastille Day [2]
About.com Medieval History: Black Death [3]
About.com Paris Travel: Eiffel Tower [4]
About.com Women's History: Gertrude Stein [5]
About.com Paris Travel: History [6]
About.com Paris Travel: Louvre [7]
About.com Paris Travel: Maps [8]
About.com Paris Travel: Moulin Rouge [9]
About.com European History: Napolean Bonaparte [10]
About.com Paris Travel: Notre Dame [11]
About.com Art History: Pablo Picasso [12]
About.com Paris Travel: Paris Attractions [13]
About.com Classic Lit: Renaissance [14]
About.com Paris Travel: Romantic Paris [15]
About.com Paris Travel: Where to Eat [16]
Absolute Astronomy Economy [17]
Boston Globe France and Healthcare [18]
City-data.com Economy [19]
City-data.com Education [20]
City-data.com Government [21]
Discover France Overview [22]
Discover France Seine River [23]
Encyclopedia.com Louis IV [24]
Europe-cities.com Paris [25]
Fact Monster Government [26]
Fact Monster Population [27]
George Mason University French Revolution [28]
Intellectual Books Language [29]
International Circuit Paris’ People/Culture [30]
Learn 4 Good The American University [31]
Maps of the World Euro [32]
Paris Break Fashion [33]
Paris Digests Facts [34]
Paris France Tourist Information [35]
Paris-Paris-Paris Cost of Living [36]
Planetizen Paris Future [37]
Understand France Workplaces [38]
Universite Paris Sorbonne [39]