Paris, the capital of France, ranks consistently as one of the most liked cities in the world. The Cradle of Paris is Ile de la Cite, a small island in the middle of the Seine River. Paris then first developped along the river, and from the Louvre to the Eiffel Tower or the Place de la Concorde to Notre-Dame, its evolution and its history can be seen from the river. The central portion of the banks form a very homogeneous ensemble and makes for a fine walk. The banks of the Seine are UNESCO World Heritage Site. The right bank of the Seine is dominated by the large perspectives due to the avenues designed by Haussman in the 19th century. The most prominent of them is the one extending from the Louvre to the Arc de Triomphe, through the Champs Elysees, France most famous avenue. By contrast, the Montmartre quarter, perched on a steep hill, with its narrow streets, staircases, gardens, and even a vineyard, has retained some traits of a village. Paris truly deserves her nickname of the City of Light. Many of the monuments are even more beautiful illuminated at night than during the day.

The region around Paris, called Ile de France since it is delimited by five rivers, was the historic craddle of the kingdom of France. Exceptional historical sights include the grandest and most famous palace in France, Versailles, built to illustrate the power of the French king Louis XIV at the height of the French Monarchy, and the Fontainebleau Palace, used by kings of France since the 12th century, and transformed by Francois I with Renaissance influences. Modernity is represented by the futuristic cityscape of La Defense. The Versailles and Fontainebleau palaces and parks are both UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Pictures : Ile de la Cité, Musée du Louvres et Jardin des Tuileries, Banks of the Seine, Eiffel Tower, Right Bank, Versailles and "La Défense".