GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT PARIS

Paris, the cosmopolitan capital of France, is one of the largest city’s in Europe, with 2.2 million people living in the dense central city, 7 million people in the Metropole du Grand Paris and almost 12 million people living in the metropolitan area. In the north of the country on the river Seine, Paris has the reputation of being the most beautiful and romantic of all cities, brimming with historic associations and remaining vastly influential in the realms of culture, art, fashion, food and design.

Dubbed the City of Light (la Ville Lumière) and Capital of Fashion, it is home to some of the world’s finest and most luxurious fashion designers and cosmetics, such as Chanel, Christian Dior, Yves Saint-Laurent, Guerlain, Lancôme, L’Oréal, and Clarins. The city has the second highest number of Michelin-starred restaurants in the world (after Tokyo, which is much larger) and contains numerous iconic landmarks, making it one of the most popular international tourist destinations in the world, with around 14 million tourists annually.

Climate

Paris has a maritime climate with cool winters and warm summers. The moderating effect of the Atlantic Ocean helps to temper temperature extremes in much of western Europe, including France. Even in January, the coldest month, temperatures nearly always exceed the freezing point with an average high of 7 °C (45 °F). Snow is not common in Paris, although it will fall a few times a year, with major snowstorms occurring every few

years. Most of Paris’s precipitation comes in the form of light rain year-round. Summers in Paris are warm and pleasant, with an average high of 25 °C (77 °F). Spring and autumn are normally cool and wet

Getting there

Paris is served by two international airports:

Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) is the main airport of the city. It is located north of Paris and is connected by train, bus and taxi.

Paris Orly Airport (ORY), this older international airport is southwest of the city and is used mainly by Air France for domestic departures, as well as several international departures, mostly towards destinations around the Mediterranean.

Things to do and see

• Eiffel Tower. No other monument better symbolizes Paris.
• Arc de Triomphe de l’Étoile. The Arc de Triomphe exudes grandeur and offers a central view of the city.
• Champs-Élysées. Widely regarded to be one of the most recognizable streets in the world
• Notre Dame Cathedral. Impressive Gothiccathedral that was the inspiration for Victor Hugo’s novel The Hunchback of Notre Dame. Climb to the top
• The Louvre. One of the finest museums in the world of art and culture. Home of the Mona Lisa and innumerable others. Enormous building and collection, plan at least two visits.

Paris is one of the great fashion centres of the Western world, up there with New York, London, and Milan, making it a shopper’s delight. In summer, there is nothing better than browsing the boutiques along Canal St-Martin, or strolling along the impressive arcades of the historic Palais-Royal.