Paris History And Culture, France

Paris was founded around the end of the 3rd century BC by the Gauls who were called Parisii. In 52 BC Julius
Caesar's legions conquered the territory, founding the Roman city, Lutetia on the earlier settlement. Christianity was
introduced in the second century AD, while the Roman domination ended in the 5th century with the arrival of the
Franks. In 508 Clovis I established Paris as the capital of the kingdom.

The Middle Ages was a period of great prosperity for the city of Paris: construction was started on the cathedral of
Notre Dame in the 12th century (the work would continue for almost 200 years), while the swampy area of the
Marais was drained to become the area now called the Right Bank. Sainte Chapelle (which contained the remains of
the True Cross) was completed in 1248 and the Sorbonne opened its doors in 1253

The Hundred Years' War broke out between Norman England and the Capetians of France in the 14th century, which
ended with the defeat of France in 1415 and English rule over Paris. It was only thanks to Joan of Arc that around
the middle of the 1400's the English were driven out and Paris was reconquered.

The 1500's were also marked by constant wars, the battles between the Catholics and Huguenots (French
Protestants) were infamous and resulted in the massacre of Saint Bartholomew in which 3000 Protestants were killed
in the name of religion.

At the end of the 1600's Louis XIV, the Sun King, was crowned in the period of the country's greatest splendor,
which can be seen in the monumental palace of Versailles, but this peace did not last long. In 1789 the Parisians
revolted and the famous fall of the Bastille occurred, the event that started the French Revolution. The ideals of the
revolution shortly paved the way for the Reign of Terror, during which 17,000 people were guillotined, including
some of the patriots who had started the revolt. To give the country stability the general Napoleon Bonaparte took
over, with the title of Consul for life. In 1804 the Pope crowned him Emperor of the French and Napoleon extended
his reign to much of Europe, until his 1815 defeat at Waterloo, in Belgium.

After the fall of Napoleon, a coup d'etat brought Napoleon III to power in 1851 Over a period of 17 years, the new
emperor assigned Baron Hausmann with major city planning projects, including the construction of wide boulevards,
which changed the appearance of Paris for good. The war with Prussia led to the fall of the emperor and start of the
Third Republic at the end of the 1800's.

The Nazi occupation of the capital in 1940 was a sad time in French history. They controlled Paris until its liberation
on 25 August 1944. At the end of the war, Paris reconquered its role as promoter of innovation and encouraged a
strong liberal movement which reached its peak with the famous student revolt of 1968. During the 1980's, president
François Mitterand started the so-called "grands projects", a series of significant city planning projects which brought
Paris into the third millennium.

HISTORY of PARIS

Paris is more than 2,000 years old. Gauls of the Parisii tribe settled there between 250
and 200 BC and founded a fishing village on an island in the river that is the present-
day Ile de la Cité -- the center around which Paris developed.
 Known as Lutetia (Lutece) in ancient times, Paris was
conquered by Julius Caesar in 52 BC, and existed as a
regional center under the Romans and in the early Middle
Ages. In 987, HUGH CAPET, Count of Paris, became king
of France, and under his successors, the CAPETIANS, the
city's position as the nation's capital became established.
Often characterized as spirited and rebellious, the people of Paris first declared
themselves an independent commune under the leadership of Etienne Marcel in 1355-
58. The storming of the Bastille in 1789 was the first of a series of key actions by the
Parisian people during the FRENCH REVOLUTION. Paris also played a major role
in the revolutions of 1830 and 1848. In 1871,
during the FRANCO-PRUSSIAN WAR , the city
was besieged for four months until France
surrendered. After German troops withdrew,
French radicals briefly established the COMMUNE
OF PARIS. During World War I the Germans were
prevented from reaching Paris, but they occupied
the city during World War II from 1940 to 1944.
Paris was again the scene of violence during the
student riots of 1968.

Paris today maintains its importance, character, and charm, though its appearance is
being transformed by structures such as the BEAUBOURG and by the
ambitious grands projets building program carried out under the presidency of
François Mitterrand. In addition to the La Défense arch and the Bastille Opéra,
Mitterrand's projects have included the renovation of the Louvre by architect I. M.
Pei, the La Villette complex on the northeastern edge of the city, and, in the southeast,
the Bibliothèque de France, a great computer-age library.

Planning for Paris and the Paris Basin region includes consideration of large land
areas in the Seine River valley all the way to the mouth of the river. New towns,
parks, industrial locations, and expanded functions of existing towns are contemplated
for this corridor on both sides of the Seine.

Ethnicity, Language, & Religion of

France
Ethnicity
Most of the people in France are ethnic French, but due to large immigration
numbers in recent years and today the percentage of non-French is slowly growing.
The ethnic French are primarily a combination of Celtic (Gauls), Latin (Roman) and
Germanic (Teutonics & Franks) people with varying degrees of each. Among the
growing immigrant population, the largest of these foreign groups are
other Europeans as well as members of the former French colonies, including many
African and Asian countries.
Language
The official language of France is French and both the country and the people
strongly cling to this language. French is similar to the other Romance languages
including Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish, all of which are based on Latin. French
today has significant influences from Gaelic languages, Germanic languages, as well
as native languages on the lands prior to the Romans, such as the language of the
Gauls, Gaulish, which is an extinct Gaelic language.
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There are also multiple minor languages spoken by ethnic minorities in France,
particularly along the bordering regions with Germany and Spain. However, Paris is a
growing immigrant center and many people speak various languages natively,
although nearly all also speak French and use this as their primary means of
communication in the country. English, German, and other popular international
languages are also spoken as secondary languages in France, but often times only at
a basic level.
Religion
Most of the French proclaim Catholicism as their religion, although there is a small
and growing Muslim minority due to immigration trends, primarily from North and
West Africa.
Catholicism is a Christian religion that is one of the first Christian religions (founded
after the death of Jesus in about 30-33 AD). Catholicism believes that there is a single
God who created everything, a savior, the son of God, Jesus Christ who is the
forgiver of sins, and there is the Holy Spirit, which makes up the last part of the Holy
Trinity. Catholics follow the teachings of the Bible, consisting of the Old and New
Testaments. Much of the faith is based on the life and teachings of Jesus, which is
found in the gospels (in the New Testament).

Foods

Planning a romantic break to France's capital city? Between casual strolls along the Seine
and stops to enjoy the many cultural offerings, make sure you indulge in some of the city's
most delicious cuisine...

French food isn't all about haute cuisine and fine dining - some of the best food to be
enjoyed in the French capital can be bought for a couple of euros from a humble
boulangerie. We asked Paris-based food writer, Clotide Dusoulier, to walk us through her
city's foodscape.
Don't leave Paris without trying...
1. Baguette

It is safe to say that Paris is the place on Earth with the

highest density of top-quality, artisanal baguettes. Each year a competition is held to elect
the 'Meilleure Baguette de Paris', and the list of best-baguette awardees is a good resource
to select your provider. Don’t forget to tear off the crusty, still-warm tip and nibble on it as
you walk away, as any self-respecting Parisian does.

2. Steak-frites

The epitome of the bistro dish, this simple pairing of a grilled steak with various optional
sauces and chips is elevated to serious heights when the meat is well selected and carefully
matured, and the potatoes are fresh, hand-cut and double-fried.

Try making your own… Steak and chips

3. Croque-monsieur

Most brasseries and cafés in Paris offer non-stop service, and a staple of their menu is the
croque-monsieur, an oozy and crisp grilled ham and cheese sandwich usually moistened by
a touch of Béchamel sauce. If you’re extra hungry, get the croque-madame, which adds a
fried egg on top.

Try making your own… Croque-madame

4. Duck confit

Originally devised to preserve fresh duck meat for future

consumption, the confit method consists of cooking duck thighs in their own fat, until the
meat is spectacularly moist and fork-tender. Few Parisian bistros make their own, but they
pride themselves in selecting the best producer, typically from the Southwest of France, and
serve them seared until the skin turns golden and crisp. The classic side is pommes
sarladaises, heavenly garlicky potatoes sautéed in duck fat. (And duck fat is good for you,
right?)

Try making your own… Confit duck

5. Jambon-beurre

Like all city dwellers, Parisians often need to eat on the go, and the jambon-beurre is the
most Parisian of sandwiches. You can buy it from corner bakeries or order it from the
counter at most cafés; in both cases it will come as a fresh half-baguette, its insides
smeared with cool butter and garnished with 'jambon de Paris', a pink-hued cooked ham,
with optional cornichons.

6. Raw-milk artisanal cheeses

Paris is truly the gastronomic hub of France, and nowhere is it more apparent than in
cheese shops, where you can buy the makings of a cheesy Tour de France and taste your
way through each region’s stars, from the mildest to the sharpest. Always favour raw-milk
cheeses (unless you have a compromised immunity) and ask the vendor what’s best right
now, as the production of artisanal cheeses is a seasonal affair.
7. Croissant

Walk past any bakery in the wee hours of the morning and
you’ll be instantly spellbound by the warm buttery smell of fresh croissants escaping from
the air vents at pavement level. This is your cue to step in and get your golden prize, which
you can tuck into and savour on your morning walk as the city awakens. Sadly, fewer and
fewer French bakeries make their croissants from scratch – they buy them frozen instead –
so it’s worth asking to make sure your boulanger still engages in that noble, delicious craft.

Try making your own… Croissants

8. Paris-Brest

Named after a long-established bicycle race that sees competitors cycle from Paris to the
tip of Brittany, this is among the best-sellers in Parisian pastry shops. The wheel-shaped
choux pastry shell garnished with praline buttercream and sprinkled with caramelized
almonds is guaranteed bliss for sweet lovers.

Try making your own… Mini white chocolate Paris-Brest

9. Macarons

The delicate pastry, consisting of two almond meringue shells

glued together with buttercream or ganache, has taken the world by storm but its birthplace
is resolutely Paris. Available in all sorts of flavours and just as many colours, macarons are
two-bite delights, but it is worth seeking them out from reputable pastry shops that actually
make their own – many just hop on the bandwagon and sell factory-made ones that aren’t
worth your time or dime – and go easy on the rainbow-style food colourings.

Try making your own… Macarons

10. Street-stand crêpes

Walking around Paris, you’ll see street stands selling crêpes everywhere. One of the few
truly native street foods, the crêpe is indeed a lovely treat to indulge in when it’s time for an
afternoon snack. Be sure to pick a stand that cooks crêpes to order (rather than reheat
them from a pile cooked earlier), makes them thin (nothing worse than a gummy,
undercooked crêpe) and is kept spotlessly clean. Though you may be tempted to try all
kinds of stuffings, serious aficionados stick to the beurre-sucre (butter and sugar) for the
true, unadulterated crêpe experience.
Paris
Capital of France
Paris, France's capital, is a major European city and a global center for art, fashion, gastronomy and
culture. Its 19th-century cityscape is crisscrossed by wide boulevards and the River Seine. Beyond such
landmarks as the Eiffel Tower and the 12th-century, Gothic Notre-Dame cathedral, the city is known for its
cafe culture and designer boutiques along the Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré.
Area: 105.4 km²
Local time: Tuesday 12:33 PM
Weather: 9°C, Wind S at 13 km/h, 77% Humidity
Currency: Euro
Population: 2.244 million (2010) UNdata

If we had to select ten places, here are the ones we would recommend you to visit in Paris. Go
ahead and fall in love!

1Eiffel Tower
What would Paris be without its symbolic Eiffel Tower? Built by Gustave Eiffel to
commemorate the centenary of the French Revolution, it is presented at the Exposition
Universelle in Paris in 1889. 324 meters high, it is one of the most visited monuments in the
world with nearly 7 million visitors a year.

The first floor houses the Eiffel Tower 58 which extends over two levels, 58 meters above the
ground as its name suggests. On the second floor, the view is the best at 115 meters because you
have a diving view on the ground below. Finally on the 3rd floor at 275 meters, you can see what
the office of Gustave Eiffel was. For the more adventurous one, it is possible to use the stairs and
climb the steps (1,665 to the summit).
The ascent of the Eiffel Tower is a must to enjoy the magnificent view of Paris. Skip the huge
lines of the Eiffel Tower and get to the summit with this VIP Eiffel Tower tickets.

2Notre Dame Cathedral

One of the most enduring symbols of Paris: Notre-Dame de Paris, also known as Notre Dame, a
Roman Catholic cathedral is located on the eastern half of the Ile de la Cité. It is widely
considered one of the finest examples of French Gothic architecture in France and Europe.
Begun in 1163 and completed in 1345, this cathedral is a sight with its portals surrounded by his
many sculptures and gargoyles that adorn the roof.

We advise you to walk around the cathedral, then go inside and climb the 387 steps to the top of
the towers. The climb to the top of the towers can be exhausting, but you will get a panoramic
view of the region and see the famous gargoyles up close.
3Louvre Museum
The Louvre is the most visited art museum in the world. Located in the heart of Paris, this
historic building is a former royal palace, with an area of 210,000 square meters including
60,600 for the exhibitions. The museum is housed in the Louvre, originally a fortress built in the
late 12th century under Philip II. The remains of the fortress are visible in the basement of the
museum.

The collection is divided into eight departments:

 Egyptian antiquities
 Oriental antiquities
 Greek, Etruscan and Roman
 Islamic Art
 Sculptures of the Middle Ages, Renaissance and Modern Times
 Objects of art
 Paintings
 Graphic arts.

Practical Information: The Louvre museum is open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., except on
Tuesdays. Open until 9:45 p.m. on Wednesdays and Fridays.
4Champs Elysées / Arc of Triumph
Under the spell of ancient Roman architecture, Napoleon commissioned Jean Chalgrin the design
of a triumphal arch dedicated to the glory of imperial armies. Built in the 19th century, it is the
largest monument of its kind in the world. Impressive sculptures adorn its pillars. In addition, the
names of 558 generals and the great victories are engraved on the top of the arc. Under the Arc
de Triomphe is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier of France.

The panoramic terrace above the door offers a beautiful view of Paris. 50 meters high, 45 meters
wide and 22 meters deep, the Arc de Triomphe is located on the Place de l'Etoile which leads to
the Champs Elysees which is nicknamed "the most beautiful avenue in the world." It stands on
1.9 km between Place de la Concorde and the Arc de Triomphe. There are many luxury
boutiques (Louis Vuitton, Cartier, Guerlain, Montblanc …), places of ehntertainment (Lido,
cinemas), famous cafes and restaurants (Fouquet's).
5Cruise on the Seine
Find the best way to visit the "City of Light" enjoying a cruise on the Seine, especially at night.
When the sun sets, the monuments are lit slowly. You get a panoramic view to the forefront so
you can enjoy the beauty of Paris: Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, Pont Alexandre III and many
more.

You can also enjoy a dinner cruise on the Seine aboard a boat. For about two hours, you are
welcomed.
6Montmartre
Montmartre is a hill located in the north of Paris, 130 meters high, having its name to the
surrounding neighborhood. It is best known for the white-domed Basilica of the Sacred Heart, at
the top. It was completed in 1919 and honors the French victims of the Franco-Prussian war of
1870.

If you're in the area, do visit the Square of Tertre, few blocks from the Basilica. There are many
artists setting up their easels to paint tourists or exhibit their work. Place du Tertre is a reminder
of the time when Montmartre was the hub of modern art in the early 20th century; many artists
such as Amedeo Modigliani, Claude Monet, Pablo Picasso and Vincent van Gogh worked there.
The Espace Salvador Dalí, a museum dedicated primarily to sculpture and drawings of the
Spanish painter, can be found a few steps from the Square of Tertre.

The famous cabaret Moulin Rouge is located in Montmartre.

7Palace of Versailles
The Château de Versailles is the most famous castle in France. Built in the 17th century as a
symbol of military power of France and as a demonstration of French supremacy in Europe,
Versailles was the seat of political power in the Kingdom of France from 1682 to 1789. This
huge complex of buildings, gardens and terraces is definitely a must for any visitor who will be
captivated by exceptional accommodations, lavish decorations, furniture and gilded works of
Renaissance art.

Visit Versailles: you will start by the State Apartments and the famous Hall of Mirrors, the
Queen's chamber. Do not forget to stroll through the famous "French" gardens.
8The Latin Quarter - Luxembourg park
The Latin Quarter of Paris is located on the left bank of the Seine, around the Sorbonne. Known
for its student life, lively atmosphere and bistros, the Latin Quarter is the home to many higher
education institutions, such as the Ecole Normale Superieure, the Ecole des Mines de Paris or the
Ecole Polytechnique. The area takes its name from the Latin language, which was once
widespread in and around the University since Latin was the international language of learning in
the Middle Ages.

The Luxembourg park is a private garden open to the public created in 1612 at the request of
Marie de Medicis to accompany the Luxembourg Palace. The Parisians affectionately call it the
"Luco". The garden surrounds the Palais du Luxembourg, where the Senate seats. Redesigned by
André Le Nôtre, it is very pleasant to walk around; you will also find an orchard, several
varieties of apples, an apiary and a greenhouse with orchid collection. There are 106 statues, a
bronze reduction of the Statue of Liberty and 3 beautiful fountains.
9Moulin Rouge
The Moulin Rouge is a cabaret known as the spiritual birthplace of the famous French Cancan.
Located at the foot of Montmartre hill in the heart of Pigalle, it was built in 1889 by Joseph Oller
and Charles Zidler. Initially introduced as a courtship dance, the cancan made possible the birth
of the cabaret, now present in many countries around the world. Today, the Moulin Rouge is a
tourist attraction, providing entertainment for visitors from around the world.

Its style and its name have been imitated and borrowed from other nightclubs around the world,
Las Vegas, for example. In addition, many films have helped the reputation of the cabaret, such
as Baz Luhrmann’s movie in 2001, starring Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor.

Book the Moulin Rouge tickets in advance, it sells out extremely quickly.
10Disneyland Paris
Fans of Mickey can visit Disneyland Paris which is located 32 km from central Paris, with a
connection to the suburban RER A.

Disneyland Paris has two theme parks: Disneyland (with Sleeping Beauty's castle) and Walt
Disney Studios. Top attractions are Space Mountain, It's a Small World and Big Thunder
Mountain.