Introduction to Geography of Paris
Paris, France, the nation's capital and largest city. It is in north-central France, on the Seine River, about 90 miles (145 km) from the English Channel. To a considerable extent, the economic, intellectual, and cultural life of the nation focuses on Paris. Paris is often called “the City of Light,” in recognition of its great contributions to learning and the arts, as well as for its physical beauty. Few cities are more popular with tourists; few have been praised so lavishly for beauty, sophistication, and romantic charm.
General Plan and Description
Paris lies on predominantly flat land on the banks of the Seine River. It covers an area of about 40 square miles (104 km2) and is one of the most densely populated cities in Europe. Paris grew within a series of fortified walls, which gave the city a roughly circular shape. A high-speed expressway encircles the city where the last and outermost wall once stood. Within Paris are two large parks, Boulogne in the west and Vincennes in the east.
The Seine River divides the city into two roughly equal parts—the Right Bank (Rive Droite) to the north and the Left Bank (Rive Gauche) to the south. The Île de la Cité and the Île St. Louis are islands in the Seine. The Île de la Cité is the site of the first Paris settlement, founded more than 2,000 years ago. It is linked to the banks by several bridges and connected by a pedestrian bridge to the Île St. Louis. This island is mainly residential and has many 17th-century buildings.
The Right Bank was for centuries an area of royal palaces and mansions of the aristocracy; many of these structures now house public institutions. The remainder of the northern section is comparatively modern, having undergone considerable renovation since the 1950's. The Right Bank is the center of commerce and the fashion industry and has many of the city's most elegant theaters, hotels, restaurants, and shops.
The western Left Bank, along the Seine, is the location of the Eiffel Tower and a number of other noted landmarks. It is also an important government area, containing the Bourbon Palace, which houses the National Assembly, and many government ministries and foreign embassies. Much of the eastern Left Bank is dominated by educational institutions. The remaining area is mostly residential.
Numerous bridges cross the Seine. The Pont Neuf (New Bridge), contrary to its name, is the oldest, dating from 1607. The Pont des Arts, connecting the Left and Right Banks in the vicinity of the Louvre, is for pedestrians only and offers a good view of the Île de la Cité. The bridges, in general, provide excellent views along the river.
Along the banks of the Seine are embankments called quais. The quais of the Île de la Cité and Île St. Louis, as well as those of the central part of the city, provide broad treeshaded walkways. They are favorite promenades for Parisians. Some quais along other parts of the river have docking facilities for river craft.
A number of the main streets run either parallel or perpendicular to the Seine; however, the pattern is quite irregular. Boulevards, many of which run in short arcs, often connect to form long semicircular routes. Many boulevards are broad, shady, and extremely picturesque. A number of streets meet at odd angles or in open squares. Some intersections resemble the hub of a wheel, with the streets as spokes. The most famous of these intersections is the Place Charles de Gaulle, location of the Are de Triomphe. Short streets run in a haphazard fashion and many times are quite narrow.
Much of the present appearance of the city, particularly the Right Bank, is the work of Baron G. E. Haussmann, planner and administrator of a massive public works project under Napoleon III. In the period from 1853 until 1870, Haussmann razed and rebuilt some of the older and more crowded sections of the city and initiated the system of broad, tree-lined boulevards and open squares.
Commerce and Industry
Much of the financial activity of France is centered in Paris. The main commercial section, with the Bourse (Stock Exchange) at the center, is on the Right Bank. The Bank of France is located in Paris, as are numerous international banks and the offices of many large corporations and insurance companies.
The city is also the nation's leading wholesale and retail center; its merchandise attracts people from all parts of the world. Les Halles, for centuries the main agricultural produce market, was replaced in 1969 by a larger and more efficient market, located outside the city to ease congestion. In the open-air Flea Market an astounding array of goods are sold at hundreds of little stalls.
Paris is known internationally for such luxury items as designer clothing, perfume, leather goods, jewelry, and furs. But more important is the manufacture of automobiles, machinery, electrical equipment, and chemicals, most of which takes place in the surrounding suburbs. In an attempt to relieve the heavy concentration around Paris, the government discourages new plants from locating in the area and encourages relocation of existing ones.
Publishing and printing, food processing, and the making of tobacco products and glassware add to the diversity of Paris's manufacturing activities.
Transportation
Within the city transportation is provided by buses and by an efficient subway system, called the Métro. There is also rail service to some of the outlying suburbs. Automobile traffic is frequently very congested.
Paris is the focus of much of France's transportation system. Several superhighways, as well as many other major roads, radiate from Paris. The city's six railway terminals provide rail service to most parts of France and Europe.
The Seine is an important transportation artery, mainly for bulk cargo on barges, but also for other medium-size vessels, including passenger and pleasure craft. There are dock facilities within the city proper and in the suburbs. The Seine also connects Paris to LeHavre, a major seaport, and to other inland waterways via a system of canals.
Two international airports, Orly and Charles de Gaulle, serve Paris; Le Bourget handles domestic flights.
Landmarks and Places of Interest
Right Bank. The Avenue des Champs Ély-sées, a broad thoroughfare running generally northwest-southeast, forms the axis along which lie some of the Right Bank's most famous landmarks. At its western end is the Arc de Triomphe, commissioned by Napoleon I to commemorate his victories and finished in the late 1830's. The body of an unknown soldier from World War I lies in a tomb beneath the arch. The Champs Élysées is one of Paris's busiest and most fashionable streets. Its wide walks are shaded by broadcanopied trees and lined with cafes and exclusive shops and offices. The Grand Palais, a large exhibition hall, and the Petit Palais, housing a museum of fine arts, are located along the eastern part of the avenue. Nearby is the Élyée Palace, official residence of the president of France. At the Champs Élysées' eastern end is the Place de la Concorde, one of the city's largest and most impressive squares. It was the site of the guillotine during the Reign of Terror of the French Revolution. In the center of the square stands the ancient Egyptian Obelisk of Luxor.
To the east, along the river, are the Tuileries Gardens, an excellent example of formal landscaping. With sculptured shrubbery and flower beds, the Tuileries are among the most popular outdoor spots in the city. Adjacent to the gardens is the Louvre, perhaps the world's most renowned art museum. It is a U-shaped series of connected buildings built over hundreds of years. The two arms of the complex enclose another garden, the Place du Carrousel, and a triumphal arch erected by Napoleon I.
A short distance northwest of the Louvre is La Madeleine, a church built for Napoleon I in Greek classical style. It stands in a square at the intersection of four major streets and is a major Right Bank landmark. The Boulevard de la Madeleine leads to the Palais Ganier. Since the opening of a new opera house in 1989, this supremely elegant 19th-century structure has been used mostly as a theater for ballet.
Just south of the Palais Garnier lies the Place Vendôme, a showplace of 17th-century architecture. In the center of the square is a spiral column made from the bronze of cannons captured by Napoleon at the Battle of Austerlitz in 1805. Nearby is the 17th-century Royal Palace, once the home of Cardinal Richelieu.
Two areas of general interest on the Right Bank are Montmartre and the Marais district. Montmartre, situated on a hill in the far northern part of Paris, was once a village outside the city proper. In the late 1800's and early 1900's it was a bohemian neighborhood occupied by many artists, composers, and writers. A well-known spot is the Moulin Rouge, the cabaret made famous by the artist Toulouse-Lautrec. The cemetery of Montmartre has the graves of several noted individuals, including the writer Émile Zola and the artist Edgar Degas. Sacré Coeur, Montmartre's basilica, has multiple domes and a white exterior and is a major Right Bank landmark. Today, Montmartre is a popular and lively entertainment district.
The Marais district fronts on the Seine in the eastern part of the city. It has numerous historically and architecturally interesting structures, some dating to the 16th century. In the 17th century many prominent persons had large stately homes in the area, especially around the Place des Vosges. Many of the opulent homes have been restored and can be visited.
In the same area is the Hôtel de Ville, an ornately decorated building that houses the Paris municipal government. A short distance to the north is the Georges Pompidou Center. It offers a variety of attractions in an informal setting, including a museum of modern art, an industrial design center, a museum with working models and displays, and a public library. Since opening in 1977, the Pompidou Center has become a chief tourist attraction. Nearby is the Hôtel de Sâlé, a 17th-century structure that houses a museum devoted to the works of Pablo Picasso.
On the eastern edge of the Marais district is the Place de la Bastille, site of the prison-fortress destroyed in 1789 at the beginning of the French Revolution. Located here is the Opéra de la Bastille, which was opened in 1989. The National Opera of Paris performs here.
In the western part of the Right Bank is the Chaillot Palace, a striking 20th-century structure with a garden fronting on the Seine. It serves as a cultural center, housing a large theater and several museums.
The Bois de Boulogne, an extensive wooded park, is also in the west. It offers a variety of settings and facilities, including two racetracks, Longchamp and Auteuil; several lakes and gardens; an amusement park; and cafes and restaurants. Another park, the Bois de Vincennes in the east, has France's largest zoo and a restored 17th-century château, in addition to a racetrack, ponds, gardens, and woods.
Îie de la Cité. This island is the site of several important government facilities, including the police headquarters and the Palace of Justice, which houses the law courts. Connected to the Palace of Justice is the Conciergerie, originally the residence of the concierge, the overseer of the king's palace. Parts of the Conciergerie date to the 14th century. The building was used as a prison during the Reign of Terror. In the same area is St. Chapelle, a 13th-century church with magnificent stained-glass windows. Notre Dame stands majestically on the eastern end of the island. The cathedral is considered by many to be the epitome of French Gothic architecture.
Left BankOn the western part of the Left Bank is the Eiffel Tower, to many the outstanding symbol of Paris. From the top there is a magnificent view of the city. Opposite the Eiffel Tower, across a large formal garden called the Champ de Mars, is the French Military Academy. Nearby is the Y-shaped building that houses the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
A short distance away is the Hôtel des Invalides, an impressive group of 17th-century buildings, originally built as a home for disabled soldiers. Within the compound are well-tended gardens, several small museums, and the tomb of Napoleon I.
Perhaps the most well-known part of the Left Bank is the Latin Quarter. This area got its name from the Latin-speaking scholars and students who lived here many centuries ago. The Latin Quarter holds some of France's chief educational institutions, including the Sorbonne and other institutions of the University of Paris. The Panthéon, one of the most distinguished landmarks of the Latin Quarter, is an 18th-century church converted into a burial place for illustrious Frenchmen, including Voltaire and Rousseau. According to legend it is the burial place of St. Geneviève (422?-512), patron saint of Paris. The Latin Quarter, crowded with booksellers, shops, cafes, and cinemas, bustles with activity at almost all times of the day.
An area of special interest to artists and writers is Montparnasse, southwest of the Latin Quarter. It was a bohemian neighborhood where many struggling artists and writers settled in the early decades of the 1900's. It became the temporary home of such noted artists as Pablo Picasso and Marc Chagall and of the group of American writers that included Ernest Hemingway and Gertrude Stein. Today, Montparnasse is undergoing extensive urban renewal and much of the area has been modernized. Located here is the 688-foot (210-m) Montparnasse Tower, one of Europe's tallest office buildings.
Just east of the Latin Quarter are the Botanical Gardens, which also feature a zoo and an aquarium. Nearby is a partially restored Roman arena.
Part of the southern Left Bank is underlain by catacombs, which were used as a repository for bones from cemeteries excavated in the 18th century. During World War II these catacombs served as the headquarters of the French resistance movement.
Near the center of the Left Bank is the Luxembourg Palace, built in the 17th century. It is the seat of the French Senate. Adjoining the palace is the residence of the president of the Senate. The palace gardens form one of the largest parks on the Left Bank. Near the Luxembourg Palace are two of the Left Bank's notable churches. St. Germain des Prés is the oldest church in the city, dating from the 10th century. St. Sulpice is one of the city's largest churches; it dates from the 17th century.
Outside ParisAbout 10 miles (16 km) southwest of Paris is the palace of Versailles, a former royal residence. The palace, built by Louis XIV, is the supreme monument to the wealth and power of the French monarchy. Much of the palace has been restored. It houses a museum of French history, featuring portraits and period furnishings. In addition to the palace there are superb formal gardens and the Grand Trianon and Petit Trianon, châteaus built as retreats for the royal family. The palace grounds constitute a large forested park.
La Défense, just outside the city in the northwest, is a modern commercial center. It has many of the tallest buildings in the Paris area, which house mainly the offices of large corporations. The Basilica of St. Denis, in the suburb of St. Denis just north of Paris, holds the tombs of many of the French kings. Less than 5 miles (8 km) to the west is Malmaison, once a home of Napoleon I. It is noted for its museum, which has many of Napoleon's possessions and memorabilia. Sèvres, to the southwest, is renowned for its elegantly decorated porcelain and is the location of the National Porcelain Museum. Disneyland Paris, modeled after Disney World in Florida, is about 15 miles (24 km) east of Paris. Also within about 15 miles of the city are several spacious and scenic parks, including St. Cloud, which overlooks the Seine, and the Fôret de Marly and Fôret de St. Germain.
Education and Culture
The University of Paris, once the largest institution of higher education in France, was divided into 13 autonomous universities —University of Paris I through XIII—in the early 1970's. Together, the Universities of Paris have a combined enrollment of some 285,000 students and offer degrees in virtually every field of study. Also in Paris are the national conservatories of music, dance, and art. The headquarters of the National Center of Scientific Research as well as numerous institutes, colleges, and specialized schools are in Paris.
The National Archives, established in 1789, hold government, historical, and legal documents, accumulated over hundreds of years. The Bibliothèque Nationale de France ranks among the world's largest libraries with millions of volumes, some dating to the 15th century, as well as manuscripts and periodicals. Other libraries, such as university and research libraries, are numerous.
Dozens of museums are scattered throughout Paris. The Louvre, one of the world's largest museums, exhibits Oriental, Egyptian, Greek, and Roman antiquities and medieval, Renaissance, and modern art. The Musée d'Orsay, a railway station renovated as a museum and opened in 1986, houses an outstanding collection of Impressionist art. A large collection of modern art is found in the National Museum of Modern Art, located in the Pompidou Center. The Museum of Modern Art of the City of Paris also has an extensive collection. There are also museums dedicated to individual artists, including Delacroix, Monet, Picasso, and Rodin.
Historical museums include the Cluny Museum, devoted to the Middle Ages; the Carnavalet Museum, dealing mainly with the history of Paris; and excellent museums of maritime and army history. The Museum of Man (Musée de l'Homme) is an eminent museum of anthropology. Among the science museums is the Palace of Discovery, which includes a planetarium. The Chaillot National Theater, the National Theater of the Odeon, and the Comedie Française present stage productions. Noted orchestras include the Orchestra of Paris, the National Orchestra of France, and the French National Radio Orchestra. Contemporary music is performed at a number of locations throughout the city. Paris is especially known as a European center for jazz.
History of Paris
Historical knowledge of Paris goes back to the time of Julius Caesar in the first century B.C. The community on the Île de la Cité, occupied by a Gallic tribe called the Parisii, was known to the invading Romans as Lutetia. As a Roman trading center, it came to be known as Paris. In the late fifth century it fell to the Franks, whose chieftain Clovis made it his capital in 508. Under Charlemagne (reigned 771–814) the seat of government was moved to Aachen, and Paris declined in importance. It was raided repeatedly by Norsemen during the 9th and 10th centuries.
In 987 Hugh Capet, count of Paris, became king of France, and made Paris the capital city. As the monarchy grew stronger, Paris became the center of all activity, political, religious, and cultural. Construction of Notre Dame cathedral began in 1163, the University of Paris was chartered in 1200, and the original Louvre palace was built about 1204. By 1300 Paris was the largest city in the world, with a population estimated between 200,000 and 300,000.
During the Hundred Years' War Henry VI of England was crowned king of France in Paris, and occupied the city, 1431–46. When Henry of Navarre, a Huguenot (Protestant) leader, assumed the French crown as Henry IV in 1593, he declared Paris “well worth a mass,” and became a Catholic in order to win the capital. Paris became an archbishopric in 1623.
In World War I German forces penetrated to within 20 miles (32 km) of Paris. Reserve troops, rushed to the battlefront in taxicabs, helped save the city. In World War II Paris was declared an open city, to prevent bombing. German forces took Paris in 1940, and it was the center of German occupation until its liberation in 1944.
A long-range building program was undertaken in the 1960's to modernize Paris and relieve shortages of housing and office space. In 1977 a mayor of Paris was elected for the first time in more than a century. (The post, abolished in 1871, had been reestablished-in 1976.) During 1981–95 President François Mitterrand commissioned several major public-works projects in and around the city. Among these projects were a new national library, a new opera house, and a new entrance to the Louvre.
Population: 2,152,329 (city); 9,319,367 (metropolitan area).