Paris is a circle of boulevards, spiral of districts, rays of avenues and elegant squiggles of bunders on the map. There are many borders: administrative, topographic, symbolic. Topographic borders align with a ring of so-called “boulevards of marshals” (boulevards des marechaux) that have names of Napoleon’s military commanders – Ney, Davout, McDonald, Masséna. Around this ring that passes through the line of municipal frontiers of XIX century; almost joining to it, boulevards peripheriques by-passing highway is situated. The Seine is flowing from east to west smoothly bending that is thruway, symbolic border and the symbol by itself: the ship is represented on the emblem of Paris. The Cité island (Ile de la Cité) divides cradle of Paris into two branches. There is smaller island near it that is called the Île Saint-Louis, one of the most romantic old places in the city. Tourists that come to the main and the most Parisian cathedral, Notre Dame de Paris, prevail on the Cité. They walk and taste famous local ice-cream Bertillon on Saint-Louis. Two banks of the river are different: the Left bank (Rive gauche) is quite differs from the Right bank (Rive droite). The spirit of the Left bank is defined by Notre Dame School. School became Sorbonne; Latin district appeared around Sorbonne – students, youth, artists, musicians, professors, poets. Traditionally Latin bank considered being artistic and bohemian, and Right bank is administrative and business.
Every sixth habitant of Paris is a foreigner. Only more than 300 thousands of them settled on legal bases within peripherique (ring road). It is almost impossible to count illegal immigrants and those, who were able to get rid of foreign status. Africans, Chinese, Russians, Japanese, Greeks, Armenians, Portuguese, British, Indians and Brazilians were living and are living here.
Arab mosque, Russian Orthodox Church, Japanese pagoda, Irish pub and Chinese supermarket are neighboring with frontispieces of Paris designed by Haussmann. Charles Aznavour’s family is from Armenia. The best caviar in the city is in Petrossian shops. Beginning with 1920 th Polish bookshop opened on the Boulevard Saint-Germain. Parisian Greeks feed tourists and students with shawarma in the Saint-Séverin Quarter. Parisian Portuguese guard porches as concierges. But for the first time they appeared long ago: the best friend of Rabelais and Montaigne was Antonio Gouveia vice-chancellor of Saint-Barb College. Latin American cabaret and clubs are always full of people. At different times from Romania to Paris have moved countess Anna de Noailles, writer Mircea Eliade, sculptor Brîncusi who is now called Brâncusi after the mode of France . Russian writer Andreï Makine has got prestigious Goncourt Reward (Prix Goncourt). Czech Milan Kundera writes novels in French. Everything has mixed and became Parisian.
How do you think, where the most attended place in Paris is? Doubtless, it is the 1st district where the gorgeous Louvre Museum stretches out its ancient estate. This is the biggest treasure house of art with permanent giant crowd in front of one of the most famous woman of the past the Mona Lisa.
Besides Louvre 1st district is popular by the Tuileries Gardens. It is one of the most romantic green corners of the whole Paris. 63 acres of verdure, pretty benches, fairy ponds, relaxing people, park amusement and, of course, two cozy galleries Jeu de Paume (contemporary art) and L’Orangerie. The latter one is an exhibition of art works of 1870-1930 that also has two of Monet’s Waterlilies paintings which maestro presented to the museum himself. Moreover, from this garden you can have a way to the river Seine and Place de la Concorde.
By the way, about Place de la Concorde. This square is very popular between both native Parisian and foreigners due to its dark past, Egyptian obelisk, marble statues of French towns, Ferris wheel and beautiful fountains.
In the heart of Paris you can also visit Palais Royal that stays royal residence, theater and a training ground for extreme sportsmen at the same time.
Living in 1st district you have a great opportunity to walk across two main bridges Pont Neuf and Pont des Arts. And if the first one is the most ancient, the second is known as romantic place where you can spend lovely dinner, enjoying music, boats, the Seine and passengers.
Another worth visiting place is Place Vendôme that is the concentration of the luxury and jewellery world in Paris with Forum des Halles and lots of boutiques and unusual design shops, as instant, the stamp collectors market on Avenue de Marigny.
This district had its name La Bourse from stock exchange. This area isn’t well known among tourist, may be because of its the smallest size in this megalopolis. You won’t find anything truly famous here. But nevertheless, it is an important business district with prosperous financial and banking sectors and textile industry, as well.
What shall you see if you find yourself here? Well, the first thing you should get into account is marvelous architecture. Then try to find the National Library, Place des Victoires and the Avenue de L’Opéra with the Opéra Garnier at the end of it. Seemed rather non-tourist, this place can be discovered as one of your favorite one due to the atmosphere of ancient town.
This district is perhaps one of the most energetic. It is a location of 17th century structures and houses where once lived many world famous person. The most pleasant place in the area is Place des Vosges that is only a part of a giant ensemble of thirty six Rennaissance palaces. There are fountains and statues, beautiful architecture, big park area. By the way, it is the oldest Paris square where in previous days you could see Victor Hugo or Madame de Sevigné walking.
Going from the palaces it’d better to visit the National Picasso Museum and the Carnavalet. The latter is dedicated to the history of the city and contains some of the greatest collections of art.
The biggest part of the vicinity is taken by celebrity Le Marais that spreads also across the 4th district. This quarter has a very long history but today it is a major Jewish community centre in Paris.
There are the synagogues, Jewish restaurants with kosher food, bookshops and other national features. A little bit to the North of the district you will see Paris’s gay village with cafés, bars, shopping. And of course, Passage du Grand Cerf that is known by its best flea markets in the whole city.
4th district seems to be especially amazing because of the wide canal system and beautiful sceneries from the right bank of the Seine. Also, this arrondissment should be surely included into every tourist route due to the number of sights.
First of all, it is Hôtel-de-Ville. This building has been the house for Paris administration since 1357. But the whole structure was damaged into a fire of Paris Commune. Today, besides the restored facade, beautiful square behind it and some theme sculptures in the yard, you can see a department store called Hôtel de Ville, the Rue de Rivoli, the St-Gervais Church on the left side of the building and Bazar de Hôtel de Ville nearby.
The second sight will be the Centre Pompidou which is notable mainly by its unusual modern style. And the third one is Place de la Bastille that is a place of crossing more than ten streets and avenues. And, don’t forget to have a look at the Colonne de Juilllet which was established in commemoration of July Revolution in 1830.
Also we advise you to visit some old Paris areas like the Ile St. Louis and the Ile de la Cité that are considered to be the place where Paris was appeared. By the way, the amateurs of celebrity musical may drop at the most famous cathedral in the world Notre Dame Cathedral.
From historical point of view, this district is famous for Natural History Museum and giant cemetery called Panthéon. This is the place where many graves of outstanding Parisians are. You will find the resting places of Voltaire, Monnet, Dumas, Rousseau, Soufflot, Hugo and Zola etc.
But from cultural point of view the main spot in this district is the Quartier Latin. This name originated from Latin students who had studied in Sorbonne University and lived in this area. Quartier Latin has its own specific atmosphere of separate town inside a big one and various alternative trends of local youth. Visiting this place you will find one amazing side street the Boulevard Saint Germain where there are many small cafés fulled by progressive students, peculiar persons and impressed tourists. Being in this district surely visit collector’s stalls at the Quai de Montebello and fascinating Rue Galande where you will hear real street-jazz, will see unusual painted houses and will be in Caveau des Oubliettes pub with working guillotine.
Which is the most popular avenue in the whole France? The answer is clear. It is Les Champs-Elysées which is in the 8th Paris district. Actually, this area is full of both places of interest and places of entertainment. There are Place de la Concorde, Place de la Madeleine, the Presidential Élysée, luxury stores and restaurants, long French streets and impetuous romantic atmosphere. All in all, this district is a spot of modern rich life and fashion Paris.
Les Champs-Elysées is possibly one of the most beautiful and one of the richest avenue not only in France but in the whole world. Sometimes you can see more designer boutiques and cafés than tourists and visitors walking across them. It’s a major commercial center in Paris.
Concerning restaurants, we would counsel you to visit Plaza Athénée which is the place for connoisseurs of French wine.
For those who don’t what to buy something, it’d be better to go to Parc de Monceau or to Quartier Monceau with a famous flower market in.
Evening walking should pass near Arc de Triomphe. Marvelous decoration with thousands of light bulbs turns this avenue into the small City of Light.
Once this location was a center of Paris bourgeoisie. Those times had been gone but the proper ambience was saved. There are elegant architecture, cultural institutions and unique style.
If there is something worth visit here, it will be three Opéras: L’Opéra de Paris, the Opéra-Comique and the Opéra Garnier. L’Opéra de Paris is the leading opera in Paris and the great institution of French theatrical art. The Opéra-Comique isn’t the most ancient theater. But it was this place where street concerts and enterprises were played and world-known vaudeville appeared here, as well. Besides the performances, the building of Opéra Garnier is the best standard of grand architecture in Neo-Baroque style.
If you aren’t a fan of this type of art, there are some other locations where you can spend your time. For example, Pigalle with the old Red Light district, enormous10-levels store in the Art Nouveau Galeries Lafayette and Printemps, for lovers walking outside will suit the Saturday outdoor market on Boulevard de Clichy.
Separate topic about Paris is its vehicle. Modern life can’t be imagined without subway, cars, public transport, train, in particular, train stations. There are six main stations in Paris, two of them are in 10th vicinity. Gare de l’Est is one of the oldest and largest station in Paris at the same time. First of all, you should pay attention to its architecture, structure and inside fittings. Departing from here, all the trains go to north-eastern France, Luxembourg, southern Germany and Switzerland. Gare du Nord is situated not so far from the previous one. Besides the interesting neoclassic style, this station is a part of celebrity Channel Tunnel between France and England.
Moreover, this district can offer you a great view of the town of 19th century, Canal Saint-Martin, Musée de l’Éventail, Saint-Vincent-de-Paul church. This place is quite enough, but full of green corners and beautiful views.
