| One of the pre-eminent cities in the world, Paris is | | | | Neo-classical architecture, characteristic of |
| a complex mix of culture, politics, education and | | | | eighteenth century construction, gained |
| much more. Here are somethings to know about | | | | momentum in the post-French Revolution days of |
| the city if you are thinking of visiting. | | | | Paris. Similar architecture is the main attraction at |
| Paris is the capital city of the nation of France. | | | | the infamous Eiffel Tower, the most visited site in |
| The city also serves as a capital for the Paris | | | | Paris tourism. |
| Region. The Paris Region is the center of | | | | The Eiffel Tower is securely situated on the |
| economic activity in France and includes the capital | | | | banks of France's Seine River. Named in honor of |
| city and several of it's surrounding suburbs. The | | | | it's designer, Gustave Eiffel, the Eiffel Tower is |
| Paris Region produces roughly a quarter of the | | | | worth an entire article all its own. The Eiffel |
| country's revenue. | | | | Tower is the tallest building in Paris, measuring in |
| One of the more interesting things about Paris lies | | | | at 1063 feet high. The birth of the Eiffel Tower |
| in the city's reputation as a global mega power. | | | | ended the Washington Monument's reign as the |
| The capital is one of Europe's leading fixtures in | | | | tallest building on Earth. The Eiffel Tower held the |
| the fashion, gastronomy, arts, political arenas. Paris | | | | title of the "World's Tallest Building" until 1930, |
| boasts of a cultural standing that prompts more | | | | when the Chrysler Building in New York City |
| than thirty million international tourists to visit the | | | | claimed the distinction. Approximately two hundred |
| city each year, making Paris the world's most | | | | million visitors have rubbed elbows at the Eiffel |
| visited city. | | | | Tower since it's construction was completed in |
| Many of those thirty million annual tourist make | | | | 1889. |
| the trek to the world-renowned Louvre Museum | | | | Other Paris monuments and attractions you |
| of Art. The Louvre is one of the oldest museums | | | | should know about include: |
| in the world-and features a size to back that up. | | | | 1. Paris mimics the brights lights of New York City |
| Expressive artistic works, like the Mona Lisa, have | | | | with a smaller version of the American Statue of |
| a home at Louvre, which also offers exposure to | | | | Liberty. While Lady Liberty who resides in the |
| artworks of the Impressionism and Medieval | | | | middle of the New York Harbor was a gift from |
| Ages. The museum hosts art by Pablo Picasso, | | | | France to the United States, Paris has two smaller |
| Musee Rodin. Other popular sources of | | | | variations of the American cultural icon. The |
| entertainment in Paris are: | | | | Parisian "liberties" are located over along the bank |
| 1. The Opera Garnier was established in the | | | | of the Seine and in the Luxembourg Garden, the |
| nineteenth century. | | | | largest park in the city. |
| 2. The Opera Bastille is the official "it" place in Paris | | | | 2. Paris' Montmartre is one of the region's most |
| for catching modern and classic ballets and operas. | | | | popular neighborhoods. Montmartre is famous for |
| 3, Theatre is big business in Paris. The Bobino, the | | | | being the resting place of the Basilica of the |
| Theatre Mogador, and the Theatre de la | | | | Sacred Heart-a Roman Catholic gem. |
| Gaite-Montparnasse are some of the most | | | | 3. Wallace Fountains are characteristically Paris. |
| frequented spots in the city for catching live | | | | Named after Richard Wallace, an Englishman who |
| action. | | | | provided the financial backing for their |
| Paris proper hosts a population topping nine million. | | | | construction. Wallace Fountains are drinking |
| The Paris metropolitan area is one of the most | | | | fountains, most often found on the sidewalks of |
| heavily populated areas in Europe, featuring a | | | | Paris' busiest streets, contained within the |
| population of approximately eleven and a half | | | | protection of dark green cast-iron. The fountains |
| million people. The Paris metropolitan area is | | | | are featured in various sizes. Paris has sixty-five |
| comprised of the Paris urban area as well as land | | | | large Wallace Fountains and nine smaller variations. |
| surrounding Paris' commuter belt. The Paris urban | | | | When it comes time to take a trip to Europe, a |
| area functions as housing for business | | | | visit to Paris should be high on your list of |
| headquarters of nearly every major company in | | | | destinations. |
| France. | | | | |