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Paris
City Guide
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Paris City Guide
Paris is the capital city of France. It is situated on the River Seine, in northern France, at the �le-de-France region. Paris has a continental climate and is affected by the North Atlantic Drift, so the city enjoys a temperate climate.
Practical Information:
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Official name: Ville de Paris.
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Language: French.
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Religion: Mainly catholic.
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Currency : Euro.
Paris Sights and Museums
Tour Eiffel (Eiffel Tower) The Paris' landmark : in 1889 Gustave Eiffel gave the French flag a 300 m (984 ft.) pole to commemorate the revolution centenary.
Arc de Triomphe. This arch was built in memory of Napoleon's Great Army at the top of the Champs-Elysíes.
Champs Elysíes The triumphal avenue aiming toward the Arc de Triomphe.
Notre Dame. The major french religious building, masterpiece of gothic architecture.
Opera Two operas : the original one built by Garnier in 1875 and Opera Bastille from 1989.
Invalides. The major dome of Paris hosting Napoleon's ashes is part of a majestic hospital ordered by the Sun-king.
Saint Germain, Saint Michel, Latin Quarter The "intellectual" and new fashion district in Paris!
Place de la Bastille. Landmark of the French Revolution better known today as a hip district hosting the new opéra.
La Madeleine. Neo-Greek temple ordered by Napoleon in homage to its Great Army, today a rich catholic parish.
Place de la Concorde. This vast and elegant symbol of reconciliation after the revolution displays the 3000 years old Luxor's obelisk.
Place des Vosges, Le Marais A famous early 17th century square with some of the most beautiful parisian apartments in the middle of a middle-age district.
Panthéon. This Impressive late 18th century neo-classical temple host the remains of french great men.
La Defense The 21 st century skyscrapers business district erected outside the western city-limits of Paris was recently enriched by the spectacular Grande Arche.
Assembl 'e Nationale. Facing the Luxor obelisk this neo-classic palace (18th) houses one of the two chambers of the french parliament.
Cimetiére du Piere Lachaise. A huge historical graveyards, like a "Town of the Deads within the city".
Château de Versailles. The Sun-king palace in Versailles is half an hour by train from Paris.
Disneyland Paris. The first leisure/theme park of Europe.
Bourse de paris. This neo-classic Stock Exchange, modern "Temple of Money" was founded by Napoleon in 1808.
Basilique Saint-Denis. A splendid gothic church where french kings used to be buried from the middle-age until the 19th century.
Paris Entertainment
Bastille Day .Each July 14th, France celebrates the storming of the Bastille, the historic French political prison that was perceived as a symbol of royal power. This act led initially to the French Revolution and, ultimately, to French independence and the birth of the modern nation. Throughout the country, parades, parties, fireworks, and other celebrations mark the event as French citizens revel in their history and independence.
Christmas Eve Mass. This annual holiday celebration draws a multitude of celebrants to Notre-Dame for a joyous late-night service. Traditionally, the religious event follows an evening dinner that consists of goose or turkey and a traditional chocolate Yule log (the bóche de Nol). METRO: Notre-Dame.
Fete de L'Assomption. At this late-summer festival, Notre-Dame is the starting point for a holy parade of devout Parisians who follow a route around the Ile de la Cité carrying a statue of Mary. This feast day, in Catholic practice, marks Mary's physical lifting up into the heavens and her transformation from mortal to immortal life. Religious events fill the day.
Foire du Trone. The city's largest fair is held each spring and features rides, games, and offerings for the entire family. Among the attractions you'll discover are a ferris wheel, fortunetellers, and haunted houses. METRO: Porte Dore.
French Open: (2, av Gordon-Bennett, Stade Roland Garros). Along with the Australian Open, the US Open, and Wimbledon, this international tennis tournament forms the Grand Slam. Thousands of fans annually attend the red-clay event at Roland Garros Stadium, watching the world's best players - and their own favorites - compete for the coveted trophy and millions in prize money.
Gay Pride Parade. (Le Marais district). As a celebration of the strides gay men and women have made in the struggle for equality, this annual event gives voice to the proverbial 10% of the population. In addition to politics, culture and style are also lifted up as an illustration of personal individuality and corporate creativity. A vibrant parade winds through the Marais, and crowds often turn out in support or just to view the happenings. Accompanying the parade are parties and a host of other events.
Nuit Blanche. For this one night of the year, many public buildings not typically available at such hours remain open throughout the night. As a result, visitors prowl museums, gardens, and monuments, noting their moonlit appearances and taking in a host of cultural events produced for the event. Exhibitions, performances, art installations, and musical interludes provide points of interest for sleepless folks, and public transportation facilitates movement from place to place. Come morning, some districts even serve breakfast to diligent spectators who make it through the night.
Paris Fashion Week. (Carrousel de Louvre). A stop on the slate of haute-couture events that includes shows in New York, Milan, and London, this much-anticipated occasion brings out top designers, style mavens, retail buyers, press, and celebrities. Twice yearly, catwalk shows present each designer's most innovative concepts for the upcoming season, and parties and celebrations contribute a festive note to the wild mix of joy, stress, congratulations, and posturing.
Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. (Hippodrome de Longchamp) This early autumn horse race brings out both the Parisian elite and aficionados from around the world. They come decked out in their best fashions and keep the champagne flowing freely as they cheer their chosen thoroughbreds. Select your favorite horse and watch the action, just as folks have since 1920. The total purse reaches €1,600,000. METRO: Porte d'Auteuil.
Tour de France. In July, the world watches as preeminent cyclists compete to be crowned winner of the grueling Tour de France bicycle competition. Riders race through the French countryside, striving to don the prestigious yellow jersey. French residents turn out along the route to cheer their favorite cyclist and celebrate.
Paris Transports
Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) is the largest airport serving Paris and the second busiest passenger airport in Europe after London Heathrow. Located 23 kilometres (14 miles) north-east of Paris.
By train, the RER rapid TGV train service reaches central Paris in approximately 45 minutes, Disney World in ten minutes and Lille and Brussels in an hour.
By car, taxis and limousines also operate from Paris CDG Airport, and road access from Paris is on the A1 via Porte de la Chapelle.
And Regular RATP buses.
Transport in and around Paris really is first class, and the subway is by far the easiest way to hop between sights. The subway is clean and efficient, even if it is rather prone to overcrowding and impromptu displays of theatre by the locals. Despite this, however, the service is regular (never more than a 5-minute wait for a train) and insanely inexpensive. At the time of writing it was €1.40 per journey, which permitted one to go anywhere in Paris, with one transfer from line to line included (also includes transfer to overground trains). It was also possible to buy a "carnet" of 10 tickets, which saved the price of one ticket. Its only downfall is the sheer number of lines which can initially be confusing. Once this is overcome, however, the system makes perfect sense. Easy!
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