Paris

Paris is the capital and largest city of France. About 2 million people live there. The city sits on the river Seine. It has been a key place for culture, art, and ideas for many years. People call it the "City of Light." Paris was important during the Age of Enlightenment, when new ideas about freedom and science spread.

Paris is famous for its beautiful buildings and great museums. Places like the Musée d'Orsay and the Musée Marmottan Monet have amazing art collections. Paris is also a center for international groups and has hosted the Summer Olympics three times. The city's public transportation, including the Métro, is efficient and eco-friendly.

Etymology

The name Paris comes from an ancient group of people called the Parisii. They lived there long ago. The city was first known as Lutetia. This name might mean "marsh" or "mouse" in old languages.

People from Paris are called Parisians. Sometimes, they are called Parigots in a playful way.

History

Main article: History of Paris

For a chronological guide, see Timeline of Paris.

Origins

Main article: Lutetia

The Parisii people lived in the Paris area from around the middle of the 3rd century BC. They traded with many river towns and made their own coins.

Julius Caesar conquered the Paris Basin for the Roman Republic in 52 BC, starting a Roman settlement on Paris's Left Bank. The Roman town, called Lutetia, became a busy city with forums, baths, temples, theatres, and an amphitheatre.

By the end of the Western Roman Empire, the town was called Parisius, which later became Paris in French. Christianity came in the middle of the 3rd century AD with Saint Denis, the first Bishop of Paris.

Clovis the Frank, the first king of the Merovingian dynasty, chose the city as his capital from 508. Paris became important because it was defended well during the Siege of Paris (885–886). From the Capetian dynasty starting in 987, Paris grew to be the largest and richest city in France.

High and Late Middle Ages to Louis XIV

See also: Paris in the Middle Ages, Paris in the 16th century, and Paris in the 17th century

By the end of the 12th century, Paris was the political, economic, religious, and cultural capital of France. Construction of the Notre Dame Cathedral began in 1163. In 1137, a new city marketplace replaced smaller ones on the Île de la Cité.

In the late 12th century, Philip Augustus expanded the Louvre fortress, gave the city its first walls, rebuilt its bridges, and paved its main roads. In 1190, he changed Paris's former cathedral school into what would become the University of Paris.

With 200,000 people in 1328, Paris was the biggest city in Europe.

During the Hundred Years' War, Paris was held by English-friendly Burgundian forces, and then by the English until 1436.

In the late 16th century French Wars of Religion, Paris supported the Catholic League. The fights stopped when Henry IV entered the city in 1594 to become king of France.

During the 17th century, Cardinal Richelieu built new bridges, a new chapel, and a palace for himself.

Because of uprisings during the Fronde civil war, Louis XIV moved his court to Versailles in 1682. Arts and sciences in Paris grew, and the king took down the city walls and put in tree-lined boulevards.

18th and 19th centuries

See also: Paris in the 18th century, Paris during the Second Empire, and Haussmann's renovation of Paris

Paris grew from about 400,000 people in 1640 to 650,000 in 1780. The city's role in learning and science made Paris known as the City of Light during the age of Enlightenment in the 18th century.

In the summer of 1789, Paris was important in the French Revolution. On 14 July, a crowd took weapons and stormed the Bastille, a big symbol of royal power.

Napoleon Bonaparte took power in 1799. He improved the city's infrastructure with new fountains, the Canal de l'Ourcq, Père Lachaise Cemetery, and the city's first metal bridge, the Pont des Arts. The Arc de Triomphe was finished in 1836.

During the Restoration, Paris's bridges and squares went back to their pre-Revolution names. The July Revolution in 1830 brought a constitutional monarch to power. In 1848, Louis-Philippe was removed by a popular uprising. His successor, Napoleon III, with Georges-Eugène Haussmann, started a big project building wide new boulevards, a new opera house, a central market, new aqueducts, sewers and parks. In 1860, Napoleon III made Paris its current size.

During the Franco-Prussian War (1870–1871), Paris was surrounded by the Prussian Army. After many months, the city had to give up. A group called the Paris Commune took control for two months before being stopped by the French army.

In the late 19th century, Paris hosted two big international fairs: the 1889 Universal Exposition, which featured the Eiffel Tower; and the 1900 Universal Exposition which gave Paris the Pont Alexandre III, the Grand Palais, the Petit Palais, and the first Paris Métro line. Paris became a centre for Naturalism, Symbolism, and Impressionism in art.

20th and 21st centuries

See also: Paris in the Belle Époque, Paris during the First World War, Paris between the Wars (1919–1939), Paris in World War II, and History of Paris (1946–2000)

By 1901, the population of Paris had grown to about 2,715,000. It was home to artists including Pablo Picasso, Modigliani, and Henri Matisse. It was where Fauvism, Cubism, and abstract art began.

During the First World War, Paris was sometimes close to the fighting. The city was bombed by Zeppelins and shelled by German long-range guns. In the years after the war, Paris kept attracting writers, musicians, and artists from around the world.

On 14 June 1940, the German army entered Paris, which had been called an "open city". The city was freed by the French 2nd Armoured Division and the 4th Infantry Division of the United States Army on 25 August 1944.

Paris was involved in the Algerian War for independence in the 1950s and 1960s. In May 1968, protests by students and workers led to a big strike for two weeks. The May 1968 events in France caused the University of Paris to split into 13 separate campuses.

The population of Paris went down as middle-class families moved to the suburbs, but it started to grow again in the early 21st century. It reached 2.25 million in 2011.

In 2007, President Nicolas Sarkozy started the Grand Paris project to link Paris more closely with nearby towns. The new area, named the Metropolis of Grand Paris, began on 1 January 2016. The Grand Paris Express metro system is planned to finish by 2030.

The Paris Agreement on climate change was signed by 196 nations in Paris on 22 April 2016.

The Notre Dame Cathedral caught fire on 15 April 2019, but the main building was saved and it reopened on 7 December 2024.

In terms of international connectedness, as of 2024, Paris was one of eight cities worldwide that was classified as an "Alpha+" city.

Geography

Main articles: Geography of Paris and Climate of Paris

Paris is in northern central France. It is along a curve in the river Seine. The river has two islands, the Île Saint-Louis and the larger Île de la Cité. These islands are some of the oldest parts of the city. The land around Paris is mostly flat. The lowest point is about 35 meters above sea level. The highest point, Montmartre, is 130 meters high.

Paris covers an area of about 105 km² (40.7 sq mi). It has a mild oceanic climate with cool winters and warm summers. Spring and autumn are usually nice. Winter can be chilly and summer warm, with some hot days. Rain falls fairly evenly during the year.

Administration

Main article: Administration of Paris

For most of its history, Paris was ruled by the French king, emperor, or president. This changed in 1974 when the city got its own elected mayor. The first modern mayor was Jacques Chirac, elected in 1977. Today, the mayor is chosen by voters in Paris's 20 districts, called arrondissements. These voters elect members of the Council of Paris, and this council picks the mayor.

Paris also has a larger area called the Métropole du Grand Paris. It was created in 2016 and includes Paris and nearby suburbs. It helps with planning and protecting the environment for the whole region. The city is also where France's national government is located, with important buildings like the Élysée Palace and the Parliament.

Cityscape

Paris is a city with a long history. It began on islands in the Seine River, including the Île Saint-Louis and the Île de la Cité. In the 1800s, leaders like Napoleon III and Baron Haussmann changed Paris. They made wide streets and beautiful buildings using a special stone called "Paris stone".

Paris has rules about how buildings should look and where they can be placed. Most homes in Paris are small apartments, and many people rent their homes instead of owning them. The city has both rich and less rich neighborhoods.

Demographics

Main article: Demographics of Paris

Paris is the capital city of France. About 2 million people live in Paris. Though the number of people has gone down a little, Paris is still the most crowded city in Europe.

Paris is an important city in Europe. It is the fourth largest city in the European Union and one of the most crowded cities in the world. People from many countries live in and around Paris, making it a mix of many cultures.

Economy

Main article: Economy of Paris

The economy of Paris is mostly based on services and commerce. Many businesses focus on shopping, transportation, and different services. The Paris Region, which includes the city and nearby areas, also has a strong service economy, with fewer jobs in construction and industry.

Paris has many important business areas. The largest is the central business district, where many people work in finance and insurance. Another major business area is La Défense, just west of the city, which also has many jobs in finance and business services. In 2021, the top French companies listed in the Fortune Global 500 all had their offices in the Paris Region. The Paris Region is very important for France’s economy, creating a big part of the country’s total GDP. While making things has gone down, Paris is still a key place for creating high-tech products like airplanes and cars.

Culture

Painting and sculpture

Main article: Art in Paris

Paris has been a home for artists for many years. It is called the "City of Art." Italian artists helped shape art in Paris long ago. The French royal family hired artists to decorate their homes. Famous sculptors like Girardon, Coysevox, and Coustou became well-known. Later, artists like Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, Édouard Manet, Claude Monet, and Pierre-Auguste Renoir created famous works. Paris was also where new art styles like Impressionism, Cubism, and Art Deco started.

Museums

Main article: List of museums in Paris

The Louvre is one of the world's most visited museums. It is famous for artworks like the Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo statue. The Centre Georges Pompidou and the Musée d'Orsay are also very popular. Other important museums include the National Museum of Natural History with dinosaur exhibits and the Musée de l'Orangerie with Claude Monet's Water Lilies.

Theatre

See also: Theatre of France

Paris has a long history of theatre. The Comédie-Française, founded in 1680, is the oldest and most famous theatre in the city. Other well-known theatres include the Odéon-Théâtre de l'Europe and the Théâtre de la Gaîté-Montparnasse. The Moulin Rouge opened in 1889 and became famous for the Cancan dance.

Literature

Main article: Writers in Paris

Paris has been important for French writing for centuries. Many famous writers, including Victor Hugo, Jules Verne, and Ernest Hemingway, lived and worked in Paris. Today, Paris still has many bookstores and is a key place for French publishing.

Music

Main articles: Music in Paris and History of music in Paris

Paris has a rich musical history. In the 1100s, a music school started at Notre-Dame. During the Renaissance era, the lute became popular. In the 1800s, Paris became a center for symphony, ballet, and opera. Famous composers like Hector Berlioz, Claude Debussy, and Maurice Ravel worked in Paris. Today, Paris has many jazz clubs and music festivals.

Cinema

See also: List of films set in Paris

The first movie was shown in Paris in 1895. Today, Paris has many cinemas showing both Hollywood and French films. Famous French directors like Jean-Luc Godard and Luc Besson have made important contributions to cinema.

Restaurants and cuisine

See also: French cuisine

Paris is famous for its restaurants and tasty food. Since the 1700s, Paris has been known for its fancy restaurants. Today, Paris has thousands of restaurants with foods from all over the world. The Michelin Guide helps people find the best restaurants in Paris.

Fashion

Main article: Fashion in Paris

Since the 1800s, Paris has been a world leader in fashion. It is home to famous fashion houses like Dior and Chanel. Paris Fashion Week is one of the most important fashion events in the world, held twice a year.

Photography

The first permanent photograph was taken in Paris in 1825. Famous photographers like Eugène Atget and Henri Cartier-Bresson are known for their pictures of Paris. Poster art also became popular in Paris in the late 1800s.

Media

Paris is home to many newspapers, magazines, and television stations. Famous newspapers include Le Monde and Le Figaro. Major television networks like TF1 and France 2 are based in and around Paris.

Holidays and festivals

Bastille Day is the biggest festival in Paris, celebrated on July 14th with a military parade and fireworks. Other festivals include Paris-Plages, a summer event turning part of the Seine into a beach, and the Carnaval de Paris, one of the oldest festivals in the city.

Libraries

Main article: Libraries in Paris

Paris has many important libraries. The Bibliothèque nationale de France (BnF) runs several libraries, including the François Mitterrand Library and the Richelieu Library. Other notable libraries include the Sainte-Geneviève Library and the Bibliothèque Mazarine, the oldest public library in France.

Sports

See also: Football in Paris

Paris has many famous sports teams and places. The city is home to the association football club Paris Saint-Germain F.C. and the rugby union clubs Stade Français and Racing 92. The large Stade de France, built for the 1998 FIFA World Cup, is just north of Paris in Saint-Denis. It is used for football, rugby, and track and field events.

Paris has hosted many important sports events. It was the first city to host the Summer Olympics twice and will host them a third time. The city has also hosted big matches for the FIFA World Cup, Rugby World Cup, and UEFA European Championships. The Tour de France bicycle race always ends in Paris on the Champs-Elysées. Paris also holds two big tennis tournaments: the French Open on the red clay of the Stade Roland Garros, and the Paris Masters in the Bercy Arena.

Infrastructure

Transport

Main article: Transport in Paris

Paris is an important place for trains, roads, and airplanes. The Île-de-France Mobilités manages the city's buses, the famous Métro, trams, and trains outside the city. The SNCF runs many train services, and Optile looks after private bus lines.

Paris has a green way of moving around and has won the Sustainable Transport Award two times. Most people walk, use public transport, or ride bikes. The city is trying to make it easier to live without cars, using the idea of the "15-minute city".

Walking

Paris is a lovely city for walking, and more people are doing it every year.

Railways

Paris has six large train stations that connect to fast trains and other rail services. The Métro is the most used way to travel around the city, with 16 lines and many stops. The RER links Paris to places farther away, and there are also trams.

Air

Paris has three big airports: Charles de Gaulle Airport, Orly Airport, and Beauvais–Tillé Airport. These airports see millions of travelers each year. There is also a small airport for private planes.

Motorways

Paris has many roads and three large ring roads around the city.

Waterways

The rivers near Paris can be reached by canals, and the Ports of Paris handles most of the goods.

Cycling

Paris has many bike paths and a bike-sharing system called Vélib' with thousands of bikes.

Electricity

Paris gets its power from different places, such as power plants, burning waste to create energy, and solar power.

Water and sanitation

Paris gets its water from rivers and canals. The city has a large system of underground pipes to keep the water clean.

Parks and gardens

Main articles: List of parks and gardens in Paris and History of Parks and Gardens of Paris

Paris has many lovely parks and gardens, including famous ones like the Tuileries Garden and the Luxembourg Garden. Over time, many new parks have been made, helping the city stay green.

Cemeteries

Paris has many famous burial places where well-known people are buried, such as Père Lachaise and Montmartre.

Education

Main article: Education in Paris

Many people in Paris have good education. The city has many schools and universities, including the famous University of Paris, often called the Sorbonne. There are also many special schools called grandes écoles.

Healthcare

Paris has a large hospital system called the Assistance publique – Hôpitaux de Paris, with many hospitals such as the Hôtel-Dieu and Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital. These hospitals care for millions of patients every year.

International relations

Paris is an important city for international groups. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) both have their main offices there. Paris also hosts the European Space Agency, the International Energy Agency, the European Securities and Markets Authority, and the European Banking Authority.

Paris has special ties with many cities around the world. Since 1956, it has been twinned with Rome, Italy. This means the two cities work together in many ways. Paris also has friendship and cooperation agreements with many other cities, including Algiers, Amman, Amsterdam, Athens, Beijing, Beirut, Berlin, Brazzaville, Buenos Aires, Cairo, Casablanca, Chicago, Copenhagen, Dakar, Doha, Geneva, Istanbul, Jakarta, Jericho, Kinshasa, Kyoto, Lisbon, London, Madrid, Mexico City, Montevideo, Montreal, Moscow, Phnom Penh, Porto Alegre, Prague, Quebec City, Rabat, Ramallah, Rio de Janeiro, Riyadh, Saint Petersburg, Sanaa, San Francisco, Santiago, São Paulo, Seoul, Sofia, Sydney, Tbilisi, Tel Aviv, Tokyo, Tunis, Warsaw, Washington, D.C., and Yerevan.