| This capital city of France, situated on the banks | | | | and gardens. The oldest and likely most famous |
| of the Seine River in the north, has been an | | | | of these is the Tuileries Garden, built by the de |
| important center of cultural and commercial | | | | Medici family to adorn their family castle in the |
| development for over two thousand years. Paris | | | | 16th century. The Luxembourg Garden, yet |
| has been a crossroads of enlightenment and | | | | another de Medici creation, rests on the famous |
| human progress since its inception, which is | | | | Rive Gauche, or left bank, of Paris. The Bois de |
| reflected in the mixture of centuries-old | | | | Boulogne and the Bois de Vincennes bookend the |
| architecture and modern skyscrapers. | | | | city with forest parkland, both created under the |
| Paris is well-known for its many recognizable | | | | guidance of Baron Haussmann. |
| cultural icons, such as the Eiffel Tower, the Arc | | | | The nightlife of Paris has been the focus of the |
| de Triomphe, the Champs Elysees, and the Place | | | | world's affection for hundreds of years. In |
| de la Concorde. It is also a favorite destination of | | | | modern times, the Lido on the Champs Elysees |
| international tourists who come to see the many | | | | has been a favorite haunt of locals and tourists |
| icons of art, such as the Louvre Museum and the | | | | alike since its debut in 1946. And of course, the |
| two opera houses within the city, Opera Garnier | | | | famous Moulin Rouge cabaret on the Boulevard de |
| and Opera Bastille. And perhaps the most famous | | | | Clichy still showcases fine talent and offers the |
| icon of all, Notre Dame Cathedral, stands tall | | | | gaiety and high life that so many associate with |
| among these famous structures. | | | | the "City of Lights". |
| Paris is also famous for its many beautiful parks | | | | |