A Short History
The origins of Paris can be found over 2000 years ago when the Gaul's founded the city close to the end of the third century BCE. By 52 BCE the Romans had taken the city and changed the name from Paris to Lutetia. The Roman control of the city ended in the fifth century when they ceded control to the Franks. The Middle Ages are considered by some to be the golden era of Paris. During this period construction of magnificent buildings such as Notre Dame commenced. Work started in the 12th century and continued for 200 years until the completion of one of the greatest cathedrals in the world - and a tourist attraction that still has 21st-century visitors marveling at its great beauty. Other marvels flourished during this time. The swamps surrounding the Marais were drained and what was to become known as the Right Bank came into existence. In 1248 work on the Sainte Chapelle, which was reputed to contain the remains of the True Cross was completed, attracting wealthy pilgrims for far and wide. In 1253 one of the great centers of learning, the Sorbonne was accepting students.
By 1415, the Hundred Years War had drawn to a close and left the English in control of Paris and indeed the whole of France. It was only the passion of Joan of Arc that would see the city liberated by the middle of the 14th century.
The 1500's were a time of upheaval and warfare with battles between the Catholics and the Protest Huguenots occurring on a regular basis with a huge attendant loss of life.
The end of the 1600's saw the crowning of The Sun King, Louis XIV. If the Middle were when Paris really began to shine the period of the Sun King's rule was when the city assumed a brightness unmatched in the world at that time. The magnificent palace of Versailles was completed, and monuments showing the world the opulence of France and especially Paris began to appear across the country and the rest of Europe. It was not to last - poverty and class inequality would lead to the French Revolution 1789 and the streets of Paris ran red with the blood of royalty and those not deemed to be revolutionary enough.
By the time the Revolution had ground to a halt 17,000 had been guillotined.
After the bloodletting of the Revolution both Paris and France as a whole were desperate for stability - which they found in the form of general Napoleon Bonaparte, who, in 1804 was crowned 'Emperor of the French' by the Pope himself. Napoleon's military genius saw much of Europe fall under the control of France until his defeat at Waterloo, Belgium in 1815.
After Napoleon, it was the turn of Napoleon III to take the reins of power. He ruled the country for a period of over 17 years which saw Paris undergo a face-lift and come to resemble the city that it is today. Napoleon III tasked Baron Hausmann with revitalizing the Paris infrastructure. This resulted in the construction of the broad Paris boulevards - a feature that still characterizes the city today and delights tourists who flock to the city from across the globe each year.
By the end of the 1800's the rule of Napoleon III would come to an end and the time of the so-called Third Republic would begin.
The Nazi control of Paris during the Second World War would last until the liberation of the city on the 25th of August 1944. The city quickly regained its position as a promoter of innovation and liberal ideals. By the 1980's president Mitterand launched the 'grands projects', a series of significant city planning projects which would further entrench Paris as one of the most beautiful cities in the world as it entered the third millennium.
Cultural Attractions
Today Paris remains the destination of choice for well over 22 million tourists a year. Each of whom visits the City of Lights for their own, unique reasons - however, figures shown that a significant number of these visitors will take in some of the many cultural attractions offered by Paris during their visit.
Aside from the mandatory visit to the magnificent Eiffel Tower, the visitor to Paris is offered a wealth of opportunities to explore both the history and the cultural importance of the city.
One of the most rewarding of the destinations would have to be the Louvre museum. This museum of art and culture has been called the shining jewel in the crown of French cultural attractions. With classic and modern pieces of art such as the Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo a tour of the museum is unmissable. Visitors have access to approximately 380,000 objects from pre-history to the 21st century, including 35,000 works of art housed in 8 departments. A visit to the Orsay museum is also recommended for art and culture lovers. With works by masters such as Gaugin, Monet, Renoir and Van Gogh this is an opportunity to take in some of the greatest artwork ever produced and should not be missed.
The Palace of Versailles is one of the most visually arresting and historically interesting sites in Paris. An example of some of the most opulent buildings in the world this is a must see for the Paris visitor.
A tour of the Cathedral of Notre Dame (English - 'Our Lady of Paris') is an essential for the tourist. In 1323, John of Jandun remarked that the cathedral 'deservedly shines out, like the sun among stars'. Any visitor today would tend to agree with this observation. With a Paris Pass in hand visitors are allowed access to the top of the Towers of Notre Dame for free.
Visitors to the City of Light would be missing one of the most iconic of all French monuments if they neglected to take in the grandeur of the Arc de Triomphe. It offers exceptional views across the city from the viewing platform and insight into the proud martial past of the city (and country as a whole), as well as the development of Parisian society. The architecture alone is worth the trip.
For those who would like to explore the history of wine and the impact that it has had on Parisian and French culture a wine tasting in a historic wine cellar in the middle of the city is hugely instructive. Participants will enjoy and introduction to some of the best Bordeaux wines and French champagnes during the ‘ Chateau Wine Tasting - an indulgent treat for those wanting to get some insight into the French love of great wine - and relaxed living.
Find more cultural activities in our Culture and Arts Section!