Paris France is Located in the north central part of France, in the region of Île-de-France.  Paris, the capital of France, is one of the most magnificent cities in the world, and one of the most visited with over 75 million tourists each year. Paris is called ‘magnifique’ in so many ways, one cannot count them all:  Paris the 'City of Love'.  Paris the 'City of Lights'.  Paris is the city with some of the most extraordinary and diverse architecture in the world: it includes castles (Versailles which was built by Louis XIV, and one of the three most visited sites in France and Fontainebleau, another royal palace).  The Eiffel Tower (Tour Eiffel) is the most visited monument in France, and too the cathedrals and churches (Notre Dame a fine example of Gothic architecture and most visited Cathedral in Paris), also the St.Chapelle (for the stained glass windows) and the Conciergerie are favorite stops. The Latin Quarter is a favorite place to visit, and of course the Sorbonne.  There are endless things to see and do, so look through our pages on Paris, and make your plans ahead of time, and order tickets, passes now, to visit Paris in all her glory. If you have a really limited sightseeing time schedule, then one of the Paris Yellow Bus Tours is the way to go. Paris is known for its beautiful, world famous statues that are scattered throughout its city streets: Rodin’s Balzac [at Montparnasse and Raspail], the statue of Marechel Ney [at Montparnasse and Rue de l’Observitoire] that Rodin called the most beautiful in Paris. It is also known for its numerous monuments and, of course, for the most famous art museum in the world - the Louvre (formerly the fortified castle and home of Philippe Auguste). Many of the more well known museums of the world (besides the Louvre), are here in Paris: the D'Orsay, the L'Orangery (containing Monet’s great masterworks of the pond at Giverny), the Rodin Museum, the medieval Cluny museum [Roman baths]; all in all a total of 43 world class museums, with a total number of museums, in the Parisian area, exceeding 100. You can visit over 60 of these museums-monuments [see list] with the Paris Museum Pass. No other city in the world compares to Paris in the eyes of the gourmet!  Everyday items that you can pick up in the ‘supermarche’ include delightful pates, the most luscious cheeses in the world, succulent and ripe fruits, mouth-watering patisseries and pain!  And, let us not forget the coffee, the best there is, especially so when sipped while sitting at a sidewalk cafe and enjoying the parade strolling by. We have often heard of the 'Left Bank' and the 'Right Bank' when Paris is spoken of.  The origin of these references is straight forward.  When the early Francs floated down the River Seine [headed north toward the sea], the land to their left was referred to as the 'Left Bank'; that to the right as the 'Right Bank'. Paris’ left bank (the southern part of the city) is known for it's somewhat bohemian lifestyle; a mode that flows along the wonderful streets of Saint-Germain-de-Pres, Saint- Michel, rue de Renne, and Blvd. Montparnasse.  The Left Bank is a way of life; as much the heart of the people of Paris, as the Sorbonne is the heart of Parisian university life.  And, since classes, at the Sorbonne, were originally taught in Latin, the area has become known as the Latin Quarter.  There is of course the Tour Eiffel that was built, in spite of near revolutionary protests, for the World's Fair of l898.  Parisians were up-in-arms believing that it would be an eyesore.  Instead, it became the highlight of the fair and the toast of Paris.  Paris’ Right Bank is best known for its elegant and sophisticated lifestyle.  Its most famous landmark is ‘Etoile’ (the Arc de Triomphe) which Napoleon ordered to be built in 1799. It was to be a replication of ancient Roman architecture to immortalize his many military victories. The most famous street in Paris is the Champs-Elysees.  This boulevard caters to the world’s elite.  Paris may be the fashion capital of the world, but the Champs-Elysees is the fashion center of Paris by virtue of its exclusive and chic stores and hotels.  For tours along the Champs-Elysees and Concorde Place and more... Paris boasts of more than 2000 years of history. The Gauls, of the Parisii tribe, settled in the area called Loukteih (Celtic for 'a marsh') around 250 B.C.  In 52 B.C. Caesar conquered this area and named it "Lutetia", the Latin for Loukteih.   In 360 A.D. Lutetia was renamed Paris (Civitas Parisiorum) by Julian the Apostate when he was proclaimed emperor of Rome. Paris offers something for everyone: its restaurants serve culinary delights (did I mention food again?).  Cultural venues abound: Art Galleries, Antique Shops, gardens galore, and speaking of gardens, one of the most famous combination Chateau, Gardens, Zoo(s) and Wildlife Safari can be found at Chateau Thoiry, just north of Paris.  Then there are the cabarets and night clubs; there are designer boutiques, and more boutiques with china, crystal,  perfume and so much more.....  bateaux-mouche (riverboat) cruises, walking, biking, hiking tours, horseback riding, every notable sport, aquariums and zoos.