Paris is over 2,000 years old. The Gallic tribe, the Parisii, gave their name to the city. Paris was founded on the "Ile de la Cité", an island where a natural north-south highway crosses the Seine River, some 233 miles (375 kilometers) upstream from the river's mouth on the English Channel. The Parisii settled on the island in the middle of the third century B.C. and prospered (they minted gold coins) until the arrival of the Romans under Caesar in 53 B.C. A year later, they revolted under Vercingetorix but were crushed by Labienus, Caesar's lieutenant.
After the fall of the Roman Empire, the rulers of France settled on the island for the same reasons as the Gauls and the Romans. Trade flourished as the river, now The Seine, provided transportation as well as protection and the population grew. Unfortunately, this led to the city, limited by the size of the island, becoming congested, unsanitary, and vulnerable to disease epidemics, especially plague. From the 15th to the 17th century, the Louvre was France's political heart.
The city continued to grow and expanded on both sites of the river. The right bank became the commercial centre on the left bank became the intellectual centre. By the late 1800's Paris was a mess. Napoleon III decided to totally renovate the city. Baron Haussman builds six and seven storey high, white stone buildings directly onto wide, tree-lined boulevards and avenues. He created expansive parks and vistas, where crowds could be controlled if a revolution occurred.
Paris became the centre of art and culture. This period was "La Belle Epoque" when whatever was fashionable was happening in Paris. Paris became famous for its music halls, opera, scientific research, discovery, impressionism and of course it's legendary brothels.
During World War I the Germans were prevented from reaching Paris, but the city was occupied during World War II (1940 to 1944). In 1968 Paris was the scene for violence during the student and workers marches.
Arc de Triomphe - The icon of the revolutionary army which is covered with reliefs and sculptures depicting scenes from Napoleon's battles.
Official website: Monuments-nationaux.fr
Address: Place Charles-de-Gaulle 75008 Paris
Eiffel Tower - This most iconic landmark of paris is built in 1889 and gives you the best view of the city.
Official website: Tour-eiffel.fr
Address: Champ de Mars 75007 Paris
Notre Dame - Climb the 387 steps and find out more about the treasures in this Roman Catholic cathedral.
Official website: Monuments-nationaux.fr
Address: Rue du cloître Notre-Dame 75004 Paris
The Louvre Museum - The Louvre pyramid is one of the symbols of Paris and is the entrance of the museum where you can see the temporary exhibitions and a lot more...
Official website: Louvre.fr
Address: Pyramide du Louvre, 75001 Paris
