FRANCE

Paris is the capital of France and one of the largest cities in the world. The city of light, as its nickname is, is located in the north of France. The Seine River divides Paris into two unequal banks, the right and the left. The history of the city is long, and has played an important role in the development of arts and sciences worldwide. Today Paris is one of the most important economic and cultural centers in the world, while the city receives thousands of visitors annually.

Paris first appears in the middle of the 3rd century, when it evolved from a Celtic settlement and retained the name “Lutetia”. In 360 he was renamed Paris, while in 486 Chlodovicus became the first king of France. During the Middle Ages, natural disasters and famines occurred in Paris and the construction of great sights began. such as the Notre Dame de Paris in 1163 and the Louvre Museum in 1210. In the 16th century, in Paris, the arts developed and great artists worked, whose works shaped the art world worldwide. In 1889 the Eiffel Tower was inaugurated, as a tribute to the 100 years since the French Revolution. During World War II, Paris was conquered by the Germans but suffered little damage, thanks to General Dietrich von Choltitz, who, enchanted by the beauties of Paris, disobeyed Hitler’s orders and did not destroy the city. From the end of World War II until today, Paris has experienced incredible growth, making it one of the most developed cities in the world.

No matter how many days you visit Paris, it is not enough to see all the sights of the city. Initially the emblem of the city is none other than the Eiffel Tower. Gustave Eiffel built the tower as a temporary presentation for the 1889 World’s Fair, but it remained in the city permanently. In fact, at first the Parisians did not like the Tower at all and did not want it to stay. Today, of course, it is an integral part of Paris. Today, thousands of visitors line up to climb the tower and admire the view of the city from above. The second largest attraction is the Louvre Museum, which houses 35,000 exhibits from prehistory to the 21st century. There are the Victory of Samothrace, Aphrodite of Milos, the Mona Lisa and Egyptian deities. For art lovers, the Orsay Museum features masterpieces by French Impressionists such as Monet Van Gogh, Cézanne, Manet, Renoir and many others. The Cathedral of Paris, the famous “Notre Dame de Paris” is a masterpiece of Gothic architecture and dates back to 1163. The building is imposing at 35 meters high and decorated with magnificent sculptures, and can accommodate up to 6,000 pilgrims. In addition, the Arc de Triomphe is another attraction worth visiting. It is located in the center of Place de l’Etoile, and from there you can visit the famous Champs-Elysees. The Arch was an order of Napoleon in honor of his army for the victory at Austerlitz, while the French army led by Charles De Gaulle paraded from the same spot after the liberation of the city from the Germans. For the most romantic is the area of ​​Montmartre. Where you will meet bohemian artists presenting their creations in the squares, the legendary Moulin Rouge Theater, as well as Amelie’s romantic cafe. At the highest point of Montmartre is the Basilica of the Sacred Heart, which is an impressive Romanesque-Byzantine church and began to be built in 1876. The view of the entire city of Paris is truly stunning from this point. A short distance from Paris, you can visit Versailles, home to the golden palace of Louis and Marie Antoinette. Finally, for those who want to feel like a child again, the Disneyland theme park offers pleasant moments for young and old.

French cuisine is world famous for its flavors. In fact, UNESCO has included French gastronomy in the world cultural heritage. It was developed in the 14th century by Gaillaume Tirel and since then it has evolved and is still gaining loyal followers. The most famous dishes of French cuisine are the onion soup, Cassoulet, which is duck meat accompanied by beans, fish soup bouillabaisse, ratatouille, rooster wine, tartare, quiche lorraine, snail and many frogs. France is also famous for its French cheeses, its fluffy desserts, but also its French wines. In Paris there are many restaurants serving local cuisine. If you prefer something more international, you will find countless choices of Asian, Arabic