Un peu d’histoire… Paris is one of the oldest cities in the world. The name “Paris” comes from a tribe of people (called the Parisii) who lived along the Seine river before France was actually “France.” Paris was called “Lutece” by the Romans who conquered it in 52 b.c. In 987 Hugues Capet became the king of France and declared Paris its capital.

This is a general map of the Paris disctricts called “Arrondissements”

Getting around Paris is easy with the Paris Metro – created in 1900, it’s the oldest working subway system in the world.

The Eiffel Tower is the tallest structure in Paris and one of the most recognized monuments in the world. Named after its designer, Gustave Eiffel, it is the most visited monument in the world; approx. 6,000,000 people visit the tower per year and more than 200,000,000 since its construction. Including the 24 m (78.7 ft) antenna, its height is equivalent to about 81 floors in a conventional building. Ironically, it was almost torn down, being criticized for its lack of beauty and uselessness, but during WWI it was used as a radio tower for the French army.

The Arc de Triomphe stands in the centre of a giant round-about where 12 streets converge, called the « Place de l’Etoile » (Etoile = star). Commissioned by Napoleon in 1806, the arc is still a scene of many parades and celebrations in Paris. Underneath rests the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

The Champs-Élysées is the most prestigious and broadest avenue in Paris. Its full name is actually "Avenue des Champs-Élysées". With its cinemas, cafés, and luxury specialty shops, the Champs-Élysées is one of the most famous streets in the world. The name refers to the Elysian Fields, the place of the blessed in Greek mythology. The Champs-Élysées is known as La plus belle avenue du monde ("The most beautiful avenue in the world"). The arrival of global chain stores in recent years has slightly changed the character of the avenue.

Les Champs Elysées

The Louvre Museum (French: Musée du Louvre) is the most visited and one of the oldest, largest, and most famous art galleries and museums in the world. The building was previously a royal palace, and it is famous for holding several of the world's most prestigious works of art, such as Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa and Alexandros of Antioch's Venus de Milo. The Louvre also has several shops within and around the building--and as of 2008…it even has a Starbucks. The glass pyramids were added in 1989, with much controversy.

Notre Dame de Paris, often known simply as Notre Dame (‘Our Lady’), is a Gothic cathedral. Built from (almost 200 years!) Notre Dame boasts elaborate and beautiful stained glass windows. Notre Dame has witnessed many historical events such as the trial of Joan of Arc in 1455, the St. Bartholemew’s Day Massacre during the religious wars of the 16 th century. In later years, Notre Dame was saved from destruction by the popularity of Victor Hugo’s The Hunchback of Notre Dame.

The Sacré-Cœur ("Basilica of the Sacred Heart") is a Roman Catholic basilica and a very popular place in Paris. It is located at the top of Montmartre, the highest point in the city. Built after the Paris Commune where thousands of French citizens were executed after protesting the loss of the Franco-Prussian War. 30,000 died, 50,000 were imprisoned – Sacre Cœur was built in their memory from

Montmartre “Hill of Martyrs” is the enormous hill on which Sacré Coeur is located. It is named after martyrs like Saint Denis who, as legend has it, was decapitated, picked up his own severed head and walked 7km to the east where St. Denis cathedral is located today. Place of artists, street performers, portrait painters and music.

The Orsay Museum is located on the left bank of the Seine River, housed in the former Orsay railway station. It holds mainly French art dating from 1848 to 1914, including paintings, sculptures, furniture, and photography. It is probably best known for its extensive collection of impressionist masterpieces by popular painters such as Monet, Renoir, Van Gogh, and Degas.

Père Lachaise Cemetery Burial place of many famous artists, musicians, writers, etc. Famous people include: Jim Morrison – American singer for “The Doors” Frederic Chopin – composer, pianist Delacroix, Edith Piaf, Yves Montand, Marcel Proust, Oscar Wilde, Moliere.

Created during Napoleon’s reign to “lure” people from using centrally located Parisian cemeteries which were filling up.

Les Catacombes Les Catacombes de Paris is a series of tunnels (former quarries) underneath the city of Paris. Cemetaries in the center of Paris began to sink after centuries of use. As a result, 6 million bodies were moved down underneath the city to the catacombs. Today, the bones line the walls of passageways of the catacombs-which you can visit today.

L’Opéra Garnier Best known as setting for Phantom of the Opera (based on the 1911 novel by Gaston Leroux), the opera house was opened in 1875 and still houses performances today. The eight-ton chandelier actually did fall on the audience in 1896, which inspired Andrew Lloyd Webber to incorporate the incident into his blockbuster musical.