Paris had always been a destination for traders, students and those on religious pilgrimages, but its 'tourism' in the proper sense of the term began on a large scale only with the appearance of rail travel, namely from state organisation of France's rail network from 1848. One of Paris' first 'mass' attractions drawing international interest were, from 1855, the above-mentioned Expositions Universelles that would bring Paris many new monuments, namely the Eiffel Tower from 1889. These, in addition to the Capital's 2nd Empire embellishments, did much to make the city itself the attraction it is today.

Paris' museums and monuments are by far its highest-esteemed attractions, and tourist interest has been nothing but a benefit to these; tourism has even motivated both city and State to create new ones. The city's most prized museum, the Louvre, sees over 8 million visitors a year, being by far the world's most visited art museum. Paris' cathedrals are another main attraction: its Notre-Dame cathedral and Basilique du Sacré-Cœur receive 12 million and 8 million visitors respectively. The Eiffel Tower, by far Paris' most famous monument, averages over 6 million visitors per year and more than 200 millions since its construction. Disneyland Resort Paris is a major tourist attraction not only for visitors to Paris, but to Europe as well, with 12.4 million visitors in 2004.

The Louvre is one of the largest and most famous museums, housing many works of art, including the Mona Lisa (La Joconde) and the Venus de Milo statue. Works by Pablo Picasso and Auguste Rodin are found in Musée Picasso and Musée Rodin respectively, while the artistic community of Montparnasse is chronicled at the Musée du Montparnasse. Starkly apparent with its service-pipe exterior, the Centre Georges Pompidou, also known as Beaubourg, houses the Musée National d'Art Moderne. Lastly, art and artefacts from the Middle Ages and Impressionist eras are kept in Musée Cluny and Musée d'Orsay respectively, the former with the prized tapestry cycle The Lady and the Unicorn.

Many of Paris' once-popular local establishments have metamorphised into a parody of French culture, in a form catering to the tastes and expectations of tourist capital. Le Lido, The Moulin Rouge cabaret-dancehall, for example, are a staged dinner theatre spectacle, a dance display that was once but one aspect of the cabaret's former atmosphere. All of the establishment's former social or cultural elements, such as its ballrooms and gardens, are gone today. Much of Paris' hotel, restaurant and night entertainment trades have become heavily dependent on tourism, with results not always positive for Parisian culture.

Paris, France is one of the most fascinating and romantic cities in Europe, and tourists visiting this wonderful city will find that things to see and do are almost limitless. Known as the 'City of Light', the beauty of Paris is overwhelming and its architectural and artistic heritage combine with undeniable appeal and world-class tourism to make any visit an unforgettable experience.

Divided into a total of 20 different numbered districts (arrondissements), Paris spirals around the River Seine and comprises almost 400 different metro stations, meaning that finding your away around really is a breeze. The most familiar arrondissements comprise the areas named Bastille, Élysée, Ile de la Cite, Louvre, Marais, Montmartre, Montparnasse, Opéra and the Latin Quarter.

If you are in the Louvre area, you may well choose to pay a visit to the city's tourist information centre, named the Office de Tourisme et de Congrès de Paris. Further official tourism outlets are to be found at Anvers, Montmartre, the Porte de Versailles and Pyramides, as well as at the train stations known as the Gare de l'Est, the Gare de Lyon and the Gare du Nord.

Visitors will find that there is a vast selection of Paris hotels available to suit every taste and budget. Paris accommodation ranges from the most luxurious hotels and large chains, to small guest houses rich in old-fashioned ambience, many of which are much cheaper than you might first expect. Les Halles is an especially popular central district with plenty of hotels, while others prefer to stay in the Bastille and Marais areas, close to the Gare Montparnasse, within the Écoles and Sorbonne areas of the Latin Quarter, or the Ile St. Louis - a large island on the River Seine itself. Despite having such a choice of hotels, it is always wise to select and book a hotel for your Paris vacation well in advance. Self-catering Paris apartments provide an affordable alternative for long- or short-term stays, rising greatly in price as you approach central attractions, with those based around the Avenue des Champs Élysées being especially desirable.

Many popular Paris apartments line the banks of the River Seine and tend to become more expensive as they approach the Avenue de New York (next to the Palais de Chaillot) and the Quai Branly, which stands alongside the iconic Eiffel Tower (Tour Eiffel) and close to the expansive Parc du Champs de Mars. Accommodation is also in plentiful supply within the vibrant Montmartre area, where the Sacré Coeur and the Moulin Rouge cabaret are amongst the main tourist magnets.

Every year millions of people come to Paris to marvel at its exquisite beauty, savour its exceptional cuisine and indulge in its world-famous shopping. The sheer magnificence of Paris never fails to surpass all expectations and every visitor finds what they are looking for, be it history, architecture, arts and culture, or even the most modern attraction such as Disneyland Paris. Being relatively small in comparison to many capital cities makes Paris a very practical city for visitors, with many of the major points of interest and splendid Parisian landmarks being within walking distance of one another.

Paris, France is one of the world's best-loved cities and the River Seine, as it weaves its way passing under numerous bridges, adds to the immeasurable beauty and charm, whilst neatly dividing the city into two. Situated north of the river, in the area known as the Rive Droite (Right Bank), are some of the most renowned Paris landmarks including the Champs Élysées leading to l'Arc de Triomphe. Lying at the other end of the Champs Élysées is La Place de la Concorde, a beautiful square where several important historical events have taken place, including the execution of Louis XVI. East of the avenue is the acclaimed Louvre and the Centre Georges Pompidou. South of Centre Pompidou is the majestic Notre Dame on Île de la Cité.

The area to the south of the river is known as the Rive Gauche (Left Bank) and it is here that the Eiffel Tower, the most prominent landmark in Paris and famed throughout the world, dominates the skyline, and provides breathtaking views of the wonderful symmetry of the city. More information about Paris Tourist

Attractions.

The city of Paris offers a wide selection of restaurants serving mouthwatering French food, as well as a choice of international cuisine, and the vibrant French nightlife provides a wealth of entertainment options.

Disneyland Paris, Parc Astérix and the Palace of Versailles are just a few of the many places of interest which are situated within easy reach of this French capital.

The city's two airports are Roissy Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG), which is located 23 kilometres / 14 miles to the north (approximate journey time 45 minutes), and Paris Orly Airport (ORY), lying some 14 kilometres / 9 miles south of the city (approximate journey time 35 minutes).

More Paris Information / Fast Facts and Orientation

• Country: France
• Status: Capital city
• Area: Approximately 105 square kilometres / 41 square miles
• Population: 2.2 million in the city; 10.95 million in the Île de France area
• Language: French
• Currency: Euro
• Time zone: GMT / UTC +1
• Country dialling code: +33
• Telephone area code: 01
• Religion: Predominantly Catholic
• Tourism: 20 million visitors annually
• Layout: Consists of 20 Arrondissements (Districts)