With a population of 2.1 million and holding the record for attracting more visitors than any other city in the world – 30 million of them in 2018 to be exact – Paris is a city not to be missed off your travel list.
Popular for long weekends of exploring everything the French capital has to offer, Paris is bursting with monumental landmarks, glamourous shopping boutiques, classic bistros and iconic art – all to admire, experience and immerse yourself in. Also known as the ‘city of love’, Paris is full of romance, from the twinkling lights of Le Tour Eiffel and quiet cobbled streets, to its endless culinary delights (French macaroons would be our treat of choice).
Paris is recognized as one of Europe’s major centers in business, finance, fashion, science and the arts. Any visit could be spent walking amongst the 6,100 streets in the city, visiting museums, architectural landmarks and galleries such as the Louvre, The Musee D’Orsay, Musee National d’Art Moderne, to name a few. Walk through the historical district along the River Seine, which is a UNESCO Heritage Site, and famous streets such as Champs-Élysées, where you can find the beautiful architecture of the Notre-Dame de Paris, Sainte-Chapelle chapel, Tour Eiffel, Arc de Triomphe and Sacré-Cœur Basilica.
Today, the Louvre has additional architecture that is recognized internationally. The Louvre Pyramid (Pyramide du Louvre) is a large glass and metal pyramid designed by Chinese-American architect Ieoh Ming Pei. It was completed and opened in 1989 and has since become a landmark of Paris. The larger pyramid is the main entrance to the museum and has three smaller pyramids nearby in the main courtyard (Cour Napoléon) of the Louvre Palace (Palais du Louvre).