Where is paris in which country. General information about the city. Accommodation in Paris

Oh Paris! Unforgettable, magical, romantic, the dream of millions of tourists from all over the world, a city that delights with its unique flavor. Paris is the epitome of elegance, sophistication, beauty, love, sophistication, the capital of world fashion and style. A huge number of interesting sights are concentrated on the territory of the city. Numerous Parisian museums and art galleries open their doors to connoisseurs of art and history. Shoppers will be delighted with the variety of shops. Disneyland Paris welcomes its little guests. Fans of a quiet relaxing holiday are recommended to visit several picturesque city parks and squares. Paris is located in northern France and occupies both banks of the Seine. The shape of the city resembles a large rounded sphere. Many come to Paris to spend their honeymoon or ask for the hand and heart of their beloved.

History of occurrence

The history of Paris dates back to the 3rd century BC. It was during this period of time that the tribes of the Parisians founded the small settlement of Lutetia. Gradually it turned into a small town. Two centuries later, the Romans, led by the great Caesar, came to the lands of Lutetia. The city was named Parisia and joined the Roman state. In the 5th century, it was captured by the Franks, a royal residence appeared on the territory of the city, and Parisia was proclaimed the capital of the Frankish state. The heyday of the city fell on the 7th century. A huge number of cultural, educational, political institutions were built on its territory. During its difficult long history, Paris has experienced many trials - foreign invasions, several bloody wars, an epidemic of plague. The city became the official capital of France in the 16th century. Today Paris is a major financial, industrial, educational, cultural and commercial center. One of the most multicultural cities in the world.

Sights of Paris

The Eiffel Tower is a symbol of Paris, its visiting card, the brightest sight of the city. A huge metal structure of a pyramidal shape, supported by four powerful pillars. Its height is 324 meters. The tour starts from the first tier of the tower. It houses a wonderful restaurant where you can enjoy national French cuisine. There is a small gift shop next door. Near the Cineiffel center with a cozy cinema. From documentaries you can learn a lot of interesting things about the history of the creation of the Eiffel Tower. The youngest guests are greeted by the cheerful mascot of the tower - Gus. Having overcome several flights of the old spiral staircase, visitors find themselves on the second floor of the tower. It is a spacious observation deck. Here is the charming restaurant "Jules Verne". There is a souvenir shop nearby. In winter, an ice skating rink operates on this floor. The next point of the excursion is the third level of the tower. You can climb here on a modern elevator, because not everyone will dare to overcome the path of 1792 steps. From the third floor there is a breathtaking view of the whole city. Over its long history, the tower has been painted yellow and brown. Currently, a bronze structure of "brown-eiffel" color flaunts in front of visitors. Tourists can buy sightseeing tickets at the entrance to the tower. There are several checkouts here.

One of the most visited attractions in Paris is the Champs Elysees. Luxurious, fashionable street, which "smells" of wealth and celebration. In its central part rises the beautiful Champs Elysees - since 1873 the presidential residence. Once this magnificent building belonged to the notorious Madame Pompadour. Another owner of the palace was the beautiful Josephine, the wife of Bonaparte. Place de la Concorde is a wonderful place for walking. It is decorated with two sparkling fountains. In the center of the composition are bizarre mythical animals. Nearby are 8 original sculptures, each of which is the personification of some major city. The center of the square is crowned with a stele - a gift to Napoleon from the Egyptian king.

The Arc de Triomphe is another amazing attraction of the Champs Elysees. An ancient architectural structure, reaching 50 meters in height. It is decorated with six stone bas-reliefs depicting the most significant military battles and victories. The bas-reliefs are complemented by an original ornament and several antique sculptures.

The Champs Elysees is a place where a lot of events are held every year. In winter there is a Christmas market, in summer there is the famous Tour de France bicycle race and the Paris Marathon.

Art connoisseurs simply must visit the world-famous Louvre - a huge art museum, a delightful masterpiece of architectural craftsmanship. About 400 thousand unique exhibits are kept within the walls of the Louvre. The exposition is divided into several thematic parts - Ancient Egypt, Oriental antiquities, Ancient Greece, invincible Rome, Islamic and Etruscan art, sculptural compositions, painting, graphics and art objects. Around the museum there is a picturesque park with charming greenhouses, colorful flower beds, fountains, manicured lawns and original pyramid-shaped structures. The building of the Louvre resembles a magical "golden" palace, luxurious, maybe a little pretentious.

The pride of the museum is the incomparable Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci. Many people come to the Louvre and stand in long lines to get a glimpse of this miracle of artistic skill. On the third floor there is a gallery where works by later artists such as Dürer, Holbein, Hans and Vermeer are exhibited. Another "miracle" of the Louvre is the sculpture of Venus de Milo. The works of Michelangelo attract great attention - for example, his statue "the dying prisoner". In the Egyptian hall you can see real sarcophagi, a collection of jewelry, coins, dishes. The last point of the tour is the chambers of Napoleon. A huge room, made in the Empire style, the embodiment of power, wealth, strength.

Disneyland Paris is a fairy tale, it's magic, the dream of millions of children. A huge entertainment "town", equipped with an endless number of all kinds of attractions. On the territory of Disneyland there are several cozy cafes, shops, souvenir shops, restaurants and hotels. There is also a great golf course here. At the entrance, the little guests are waiting for the heroes of the famous Walt Disney - Mickey Mouse, the little mermaid Ariel, the eccentric Goofy, Winnie the Pooh and many others.

In the heart of Disneyland rises a beautiful fairy-tale castle. Nearby is the Sleeping Beauty Palace.

Disneyland Paris is the best Christmas present, and not just for kids.

Notre Dame Cathedral is a wonderful Catholic church located in the city center on the Ile de la Cité.

The famous Notre Dame de Paris, a real masterpiece of architectural art. Millions of tourists from all over the world come to see it every year. A majestic building, decorated with Gothic sculptures and magnificent stained glass windows.

Stone gargoyles look down on visitors from the roof. Entering the inside of the cathedral, visitors find themselves in a spacious bright hall with high vaulted ceilings, gilded columns, colored stained-glass windows, and unique frescoes. Such magnificence is breathtaking and dizzy. The impression of airiness and weightlessness is created. It is known that in the Cathedral of Notre Dame de Paris there is a priceless sacred relic - the Crown of Thorns of the Savior.

The Sorbonne University is one of the most prestigious educational institutions in France. It is a large architectural complex consisting of 13 independent buildings. Near the main building of the university, the chapel of St. Ursula flaunts, which currently houses the theological faculty. The chapel combines two styles - simple baroque and pompous ancient Roman. It is known that within its walls is the tomb of Cardinal Richelieu. In the 19th century, the complex was supplemented with new Renaissance buildings.

Around the Sorbonne lies the Latin Quarter of the capital. There is an atmosphere of celebration and fun. Walking along the narrow winding streets of this area, tourists can admire the original architecture of the local buildings. Plunge into the coolness of picturesque parks, admire the grandeur of the local palaces, go shopping or enjoy aromatic coffee in one of the cozy cafes. The Baths of Cluny are located in the Latin Quarter - ancient Roman ruins with thermal springs flowing through them. The decoration of the quarter is the Luxembourg Gardens and the legendary Pantheon. Part of the area is occupied by residential buildings, where Parisian bohemia lives - writers, musicians, artists, scientists.

Montmartre is one of the most beautiful places in Paris, a small historical district that carefully preserves the culture and traditions of the ancestors. At the top of a mountain in the Montmatre area rises a Catholic church - the Sacré-Coeur.

This place enchants tourists with its original boulevards and colorful cabarets. The spirit of indescribable freedom and fun is in the air.

Recreation and entertainment

Arriving in Paris, every tourist will be able to find entertainment to their liking. Connoisseurs of history and culture are advised to visit one of the many Parisian museums - the Museum of Modern Art, the Wine Museum, the Orsay and Orangerie Museums, the Picasso Museum and others. Magnificent metropolitan parks are always at the service of visitors. Among the most famous parks are Arterix, Bois de Boulogne, Futuroscope, La Villette Science Center, Floral Park and many others. Families with children can go to the Tauri zoo or the CineAqua water park. Theaters open their doors for theatergoers - Grand Opera, Comédie-Française, Montparnasse.

Paris is a city of festivals, every year a lot of various events are held here. Among the most popular are Museum Night, Music Festival, Theater Festival, Chinese New Year.

Paris transport

Paris is a city of modern opportunities, a developed industry. Transport links here are top notch. The most popular form of public transport is the metropolitan metro. Stations are located almost throughout Paris. Also, electric trains, buses, internal trains run around the city. The tram network includes four lines. Many use car rentals or taxis. The favorite means of transport for Parisians is the bicycle. Water transport offers walks on river trams. Within the city there are three major airports - Le Bourget, Charles de Gaulle, Beauvais and Orly. Every day they carry out several dozen domestic and international flights. You can get from the airport by taxi, bus or tram.

• The history of Paris dates back about 2 thousand years ago.
• In terms of population density, it surpasses all the cities of France.
• Paris is a city of light, with the onset of twilight, it lights up with millions of multi-colored lamps and lanterns.
• The territory of Paris includes - 20 districts and two islands - Ile de la City and Saint Louis.
• It is known that more than 470 thousand trees grow in Paris.
• Interestingly, in the city there is only one road sign with the designation "Stop". Mostly right-hand traffic here.
• There are about 70 museums in the capital of France.
• Disneyland Paris is the only one in Europe.
• Interestingly, it is forbidden to use a video camera on the Eiffel Tower at night. Persecuted by law.
• The Louvre is the most visited museum in the world.
• During the construction of the Eiffel Tower, only one worker died.
• Interestingly, the shortest street in Paris is only 5.5 meters.

Paris city on the map of France

Video: Unique Paris

Paris is the most wonderful city in Europe, which at all times was considered a model of impeccable style and fashion.

It is qualitatively distinguished by the extremely traditional way of life of the metropolis, whose inhabitants are reputed to be arrogant, but at the same time the city is also famous for its cosmopolitanism.

These contradictions and contrasts are found in any large city, but in Paris they have become the de facto style of the city and part of its culture.

Compare the tiny paths and alleys of the Latin Quarter and Montmartre with the monumental vista Louvre to the side quarter of Defense, or small street markets and old-fashioned pedestrian galleries under arcades with huge underground business centers in Montparnasse and in the Central Market quarter.

The same contrast can be seen between the prosperous aristocratic quarters and the bustle of the poorer districts of Paris. There are enough attractions in Paris that make a stunning impression on tourists: majestic monuments that emphasize the cold splendor Pantheon, industrial sophistication eiffel tower, airy glass lace Pyramids of the Louvre etc.

However, in addition to the world-famous places in this beautiful city, you can find what an ordinary person needs: nice quiet corners, remote from the Grand Boulevards, areas where people come to play bowls, numerous bakeries and cafe paris .

Recently, the cultural life of Paris has changed a lot under the onslaught of numerous crowds of immigrants, new extravagant buildings are constantly being designed and erected in the capital, but many of the old streets, cafes and restaurants of the city still defy fashion and remain emphatically traditional.

Paris keeps traditions and is an ideal place for rest. In some parts of the city, such as the bustling Mare, elegant Saint Germain or romantic Montmartre, you can safely wander the streets, go to shops, sit in cafes. And beautiful gardens, paths and sidewalks along river Seine and numerous, often hidden from prying eyes, quiet corners more than compensate for the lack of free space.

But wherever you go, you will find famous sights of paris, be it historic buildings or marvels of modern architecture. These symbols of the glory and grandeur of Paris will not let you get lost in this big city. There are over 150 art galleries and museums in Paris, as well as a myriad of cafes, eateries and restaurants along the streets and boulevards.

Their interiors are extremely varied in style, from ultra-modern trendy structures to traditional palaces with mirrors, from tiny bistros where good food is the main thing, to cheap Vietnamese restaurants.

With the onset of dusk in the city, famous metropolitan theaters and cabarets open their doors, offering visitors interesting, world-famous performances; classical music concerts often take place in historic buildings, sometimes in chapels or churches. And finally, Paris is the real capital of world cinema, and its extraordinary ethnic diversity has made this city one of the most famous centers of world music.

Many people dream of the city of lights, Paris. Thanks to its unsurpassed beauty, the most fashionable center of Europe continues to attract tens of millions of tourists from all over the world every year.

Most travelers believe that Paris has become so famous only thanks to Champs Elysees, the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre and Notre Dame de Paris, which are luxurious places to visit.

The capital of France is one of the most beautiful and romantic cities in the world. Every year, millions of tourists come to admire this ancient city. Where is Paris located? The city is located in the north-east of the country, in the district of Ile-da-France - one of the densely populated districts of France. Paris is located in a lowland on the banks of the Seine, which washes the banks of the city for eight kilometers.

The city was founded in the III century BC. fishermen who formed the settlement of Lutetia on the banks of the Seine. In the 5th century AD Clovis made Paris the capital of the Frankish state, and from the 12th century the city became the capital of France.

Features of Paris

The island of Cité became the heart of Paris. Today, Notre Dame Cathedral stands in that place, and it was here that the first tribal settlements were discovered. The oldest district of the city is the Montmartre district, which is located in the historical part of the French capital, where there are a lot of different architectural sights. Our article will help you create an interesting tour plan for this city.

Today, Paris has become a major center of European life. It hosts 220 different international organizations and companies. Paris has become one of the favorite cities for honeymoon trips and romantic weekends.

Paris is one of the main transport hubs in Europe. There are four airports in the vicinity of the city, two of which are the largest in Europe - these are Charles de Gaulle and Orly airports. There are also good rail links with all European capitals and many cities around the world.

There are 454 kilometers between London and Paris. Moscow is located at a distance of 2828 kilometers from Paris. The nearest European capital is Brussels (Belgium), located three hundred kilometers from Paris.

If you are going to Paris, read our article. Our tips will help you choose an interesting souvenir.

For some, Paris is the most romantic place in the world, where you should definitely go on your honeymoon or anniversary, for some it is a shopping paradise, someone considers it the cultural capital of the world. And for everyone, without exception, Paris is a place worth visiting at least once in a lifetime.

The beautiful capital of France is located in the central part of northern France. There are two versions of the origin of the city's name. The first says that the word Paris It was formed from the name of the Gallic tribe of the Parisians, who lived on the site of the modern island of Cité. According to the second version, which many consider far-fetched, the city was named after the mythical hero Paris.

Once the city belonged to the Romans, then was conquered by the Franks. Starting from the 12th century, Paris gradually turns into one of the most important educational, political and cultural centers of France and Europe. Today, Paris is one of the most significant tourist, business and political cities in the world.

Modern Paris can certainly be called a young city, since many Parisians, retiring, move to the suburbs or to the south of the country, and young people who want to earn money remain in the city. About 15% of the total population of Paris are immigrants who arrived from other countries of the EU, the CIS, Africa and Asia, therefore, in addition to French, Italian, Arabic, and Chinese can be heard on the streets of the city. Many service workers are fluent in English, and sometimes in Russian.

Most of the industrial enterprises of Paris have long been taken out of the city or even to other countries (an aircraft factory, car factories Renault and Peugeot-Citroën, production of cosmetics, tailoring, etc.), so today the main factor polluting the environment is transport.

Paris is an amazing and many-sided city that can amaze everyone who dares to visit it to the core. Here you can relax alone, together with your loved one, a big noisy company or in a close family circle with small children.

Climate and weather

The capital of France is located in the temperate zone, with quite pronounced seasons. Each season pays homage to Paris and highlights its charms, whether it's the hot summer sun caressing the pale facades of the buildings, or the autumn rain reflecting the glitter of millions of night lights on the pavement. But still it is believed that the most romantic city in the world appears in all its glory in spring and autumn.

In spring, it seems that the city itself awakens along with nature. It is filled with the smells of young greenery and cotton candy. Daylight hours are lengthening, and with it the opening hours of museums. The average daily air temperature rises from +8 °C in March to +15 °C in May. And although May is the rainiest month of the year, nothing lifts your spirits like a walk in Paris refreshed after a spring shower, flooded with gentle sun.

Summer in Paris is quite hot. The average air temperature stays at +23…+25 °C, but in recent years there have been more and more periods when the temperature reaches +32…+35 °C. Moreover, such heat often lasts until the end of September. Due to the closeness, supplemented by car exhausts, it is quite difficult to be in a multi-million city at this time.

October paints Paris in bright colors, giving it a unique charm and charm. Cooled to +13…+15 °C, the air seems clearer and cleaner. Fallen leaves are replaced by Christmas decorations at the end of November, so there are no “gray” periods in Paris.

In winter, Paris is relatively warm (+5 °C), but from time to time the air temperature can drop to sub-zero temperatures and snow falls.

Nature

Paris stands on both banks of the navigable river Seine, which has numerous islands connected to the shores by dozens of bridges.

Paris is the greenest capital in Europe with over 400 parks and gardens. To understand their names, you should know that squares mean small squares, medium-sized parks in Paris are called gardens, and only the largest ones are awarded the name of the park. At the same time, do not forget about the two forests (Bois de Boulogne and Bois de Vincennes), located on both sides of Paris. With the help of amazing trees, shrubs and flowers brought from all over the world, the best gardeners of France and Europe created real living works of art with lakes, fountains, grottoes and waterfalls.

Some of the most beautiful parks in Paris are Field of Mars(Parc du Champ de Mars) near Eiffel Tower, Champs Elysees(Champs-Elysees), plant garden(Jardin des plantes de Paris), which is part of the National Museum of Natural History, atypical for Paris english park monceau(Parc Monceau) in the Louvre area, etc.

Attractions

The genuine love of the French people for beauty is reflected in hundreds of magnificent palaces, parks, churches, chapels. To admire all the sights of the city, you will have to come back here again and again.

The undisputed symbols of Paris are Eiffel Tower (La Tour Eiffel), Arc de Triomphe (Arc de Triomphe), Notre Dame Cathedral (Notre Dame de Paris) and Palace of Versailles (Сhâteau de Versailles).

Among the religious architectural monuments of Paris, special attention deserves Sacré Coeur Basilica in Montmartre (Basilique du Sacré Coeur de Montmartre), Church of Saint-Germain-l'Auxerrois (L "église Saint-Germain-l" Auxerrois) and Alexander Nevsky Cathedral (Cathédrale Saint-Alexandre-Nevsky).

The most famous castles and palaces in Paris are Conciergerie (La Conciergerie), Luxembourg Palace (Palais du Luxembourg) etc.

Going to Paris, don't forget to take a walk along the Boulevard des Capucines, where the house where the world's first film screening took place in 1895 is located. Then you can walk through the narrow streets of the Latin Quarter, take a look at the most famous university in Europe - the Sorbonne - and visit one of the many museums located here. Admirers of Edith Piaf, Marcel Proust, Frederic Chopin, Jim Morrison, Oscar Wilde and other world-famous cultural figures visit the graves of their idols at the Père Lachaise cemetery without fail.

Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, Monet, Rodin, Delacroix or Picasso - all these icons of the art world are represented in the museums of Paris (Espace Dali, Musée d "Orsay, Musée du Louvre, etc.). In the museums of the French capital, you can also see antiques and unique archaeological finds from all over the world, collections of precious jewelry, weapons, etc. There are a number of original museums in Paris, among which the Perfume Museum (Musée du Parfum), the Chocolate Museum (Le musée gourmand du chocolat), the Wine Museum ( Musée du Vin), Parisian catacombs (Catacombes de Paris), etc. Literary museums of Honore de Balzac, Victor Hugo, etc. are located in the city.

The Champs Elysees and the Champs de Mars often host exhibitions of sculptures or unusual objects in the open air. There are many galleries in the Beaubourg and Saint-Germain-des-Prés districts, where you can visit art exhibitions of various trends, as well as exhibitions of photography or sculpture.

Most Parisian museums are open on weekends and closed on Mondays or Tuesdays, as well as some public holidays. Many of them remain open until late in the evening. Tours often need to be booked in advance. Entrance on the first Sunday of each month to most museums is free.

Nutrition

Paris is also the universally recognized gastronomic capital of the world, where every prestigious restaurant or small cafe can boast of the talent and experience of its chef and, of course, the excellent quality of French products. The choice of places is simply huge, and each has its own unique atmosphere and interior. In Paris, you can taste traditional dishes from all regions of France, as well as sophisticated modern culinary creations. On the streets of the city, you can easily find restaurants of all cuisines of the world. Of the Russian restaurants, the most popular are "City of Petrograd", "Prelude", "Dominic" and etc.

The hallmark of Paris are the famous Gratinée des Halles onion soup, Croque-monsieur sandwich and Potage parisien pureed soup. A rare meal is complete without a glass of good French wine.

The average bill (excluding drinks) will be about 30 € per person. If the bill does not say "service compress", it is necessary to leave a tip in the amount of 5-10% of the amount on the check.

For just a light snack, it is better to go to the cafe with the inscription Brasserie, which serve coffee, tea, salads and other light snacks. The word menu often refers to set meals, the cost of which is only 10-15 €. It is usually written on the boards at the entrance to the cafe.

In order not to make a mistake in choosing a restaurant, you can look into a special gastronomic guide. Paris Gourmand, which provides detailed information about each metropolitan institution.

Many Parisian restaurants operate on a set schedule, i.e. open for lunch from 12:00 to 15:00, and then only closer to dinner (by 19:00).

Restaurants and cafes with outdoor terraces, bars, tea houses, pubs and other establishments in Paris invite gourmets from all over the world to plunge into a real gastronomic feast.

Accommodation

Contrary to popular belief, you can stay in Paris for a very reasonable price. Hostels are traditionally considered the cheapest, a place in which will cost about 20-45 €. One room is usually occupied by 4-6 people. But if you are traveling with a group of 2-4 people, then it is more profitable to rent a furnished apartment, which will cost 55-110 € per night. The cost of a double room in a 1-2-star hotel will be from 50 to 180 €. By the way, even hotels with so many stars in Paris have clean comfortable rooms and good service. The cost of rooms in more "star" hotels starts from 200 € and can reach 850 €.

The closer the hotel is to the city center, the more expensive it is. When choosing a place to stay in the suburbs of Paris, you should find out in advance whether it is convenient to get to the center and whether transport costs will exceed the difference in the cost of living.

Entertainment and recreation

Every year, millions of tourists visit Paris, who are attracted not only by the magnificent architectural monuments and amazing museums of the city, but also by a rich cultural program. Paris has something for everyone, from quiet ferry rides on the waters of the Seine (from €13) to dancing the night away at the best nightclubs in the city.

In numerous theatrical ( Theater du Soleil, Comedie Francaise, Theater des Bouffes du Nord, Odeon - Theater de l'Europe etc.), concert halls and stadiums ( Stade de France) of the city you can see amazing productions and concerts of world stars.

Paris annually hosts such world-famous festivals as the Night of Museums, the Quartier d’été (“Summer Quarter”) theater and music festival, the Music Festival (Fête de la musique), Chinese New Year, etc.

If you are traveling with children, then in Paris you will have to visit at least 1 of its grandiose theme parks: attractions Disneyland Park(the cost of the entrance ticket is 61 € for adults, 55 € for children from 3 to 12 years old, plus the cost of the RER metro ticket is 7.3 € per person); attractions Parc Asterix(44 € for adults, 33 € for children from 3 to 11 years old); Robinson Island(L'île de Robinson) costing €2.5 for adults and €15 for children; Aquarium Aquarium(16 and 13 € respectively); thoiry zoo(27.5 € for adults, 21 € for children); Aquaboulevard de Paris water park(22 € on weekdays, 28 € for adults on weekends, 15 € for children from 3 to 11 years old), etc.

Almost all year round, various sports competitions (football, tennis, athletics, etc.) are held in the stadiums of Paris. Paris hosts the final stage of the famous Tour de France, the Roland Garros tennis tournament, the Paris Marathon and much more.

In the evening, numerous discos and theme clubs open their doors to visitors ( Duplex, Keur Samba, Overkitsch, Golden 80" etc.), cabaret ( Moulin Rouge, Paradis Latin etc.), jazz clubs ( Duc des Lombards, Le Baiser Sale etc.), karaoke bars (Boca, Casa Carolina etc.) and other entertainment facilities.

Purchases

As a trendsetter and the city that creates the best cosmetics in the world, Paris is also rightfully considered one of the best shopping places on our planet. Here you will find not only huge shopping centers (Galeries Lafayette, Printemps Haussmann, etc.), but also entire shopping streets and districts, the famous Parisian passages (Passage de Grand Cerf, etc.), which are covered passages between the streets. And outside the city there are several so-called outlets - huge pavilions consisting of hundreds of boutiques selling branded goods at discount prices (Marques Avenue, Troyes McArturGlen, La Vallee Village).

The 1st and 8th districts are the most popular among shopping lovers in Paris. Here is the so-called "Golden Triangle" (Le Triangle d "Or), consisting of avenue des Champs Elysées, avenue Montaigne and avenue Georges V. Here you will find stores of world famous brands (Dolce Gabbana, Gucci, Dior, Chanel, Luis Vuitton and etc.). The houses of leading designers are located on rue du Faubourg St-Honoré ( Yves Saint Laurent Hermes, John Galliano, Christian Lacroix, Longchamp, Miu Miu and etc.). Prestigious jewelry boutiques ( Tiffany, Cartier, Chanel, Bulgari and Chaumet) are concentrated on the place Vendome.

The Parisians themselves prefer to dress in the boutiques of young designers located on Rue des Francs-Bourgeois.

Connoisseurs of vintage fashion will be happy to visit the shop Free "P" Star on Rue Sainte-Croix de la Bretonnerie.

Deserves special attention Viaduc des Arts(12th district). Today it is the quarter of Parisian designers, artisans and artists, which houses many galleries and boutiques, where exhibitions and sales of works of art are regularly held.

Cigarettes and other tobacco products can be purchased at special kiosks with a red diamond ( bureaux de tabac). The average price for a pack of cigarettes will be about 6 €, in restaurants, bars and clubs the price will be slightly higher.

Most shops are open from 9:00 to 19:00 from Monday to Saturday. Opening hours of large supermarkets may be 2-3 hours longer. Sunday is a public holiday in the city. During sales, most shops are open on Sundays.

It should be remembered that many stores are closed from mid-July to the end of August due to vacations of employees.

Of the variety of food supermarkets in Paris, you should pay attention to the shops ED and Leader Price which differ in the most democratic prices. Outside the city you will find many cheap hypermarkets: Carrefour, Auchan, Euromarcher, Super U and Intermarche.

Transport

between Moscow and Paris there are many flights on a regular basis. Aircraft can land at one of the 3 metropolitan airports: Charles de Gaulle (23 km from the city centre), Orly (16 km) or Beauvais (90 km).

To get to the city from Paris-Charles de Gaulle airport, you can use a taxi (40-45 € - depending on the time of day), line B3 of the RER high-speed metro (8 €), Air France buses (17 €) or Roissy Bus (8 €). High-speed trains RER line B (9.85 €) and line C (5 €), Air France buses (12 €), Orlybus (6.4 €), as well as taxis (25-30 €) go from Orly airport to the city . If your plane arrives at Beauvais airport, book a hotel pickup as it will be cheaper than a taxi ride which will cost between 100 and 130 €. To get to the center of Paris from Beauvais, you can also take the TER regional train (€10) from Beauvais train station (but you will have to take a taxi to the station). Only charter flights or private jets arrive at Le Bourget Airport.

The metro is the fastest, easiest and cheapest way to travel around the city. The Paris metro (RATP) consists of 16 lines, numbered from 1 to 14, as well as 3 bis and 7 bis. You can get a metro card for free at ticket kiosks. The ticket price for 1 trip is 1.7 €, for 10 trips - 12.7 €. You can purchase a weekly pass (Navigo) that requires a photo. The fare depends on the zone (from 18.7 to 34.4). Zones 1 and 2 are within the ring road, 3-5 are more remote suburbs.

In addition to RATP, there are 4 RER lines in Paris. RER trains (within the city) are subject to the same tickets as the metro. If you are going out of town (airports, Disneyland, La Defense station, etc.), you need to buy a new ticket.

Tickets are sold in special machines at the stations, at the box office, as well as in some tobacco shops.

Within the city, the same metro and bus tickets are used, but when switching from one transport to another, you need to use a new ticket. When changing the route of a bus or tram, a previously validated ticket in this type of transport is valid for 1.5 hours. Controllers operate in all modes of transport, including the metro.

Tourist buses run on certain routes Les Cars Rouges(26 € for 2 days) and opentour(29 € for 1 day, 32 € for 2 days). The duration of the trip and the number of transfers is not limited.

There are 3 types of tariffs in Parisian taxis: A (0.96 € per 1 km) - from 10:00 to 17:00, except weekends and holidays; B (1.21 € per 1 km) - from 17:00 to 10:00, as well as on weekends and holidays; From (1.47 € per 1 km) - on Sunday from midnight to 7:00. The minimum landing cost is 3.4 €. If you order a taxi from the hotel, then the meter turns on at the time of the order, so by the time you get into the car, there will already be about 10-20 € on the meter.

To climb up Montmartre(a hill 130 m high), you can use the funicular.

The best way to get around the center of Paris is on foot or by metro, as constant traffic can make traveling by taxi or rental car quite exhausting.

Connection

Contacting your family and friends in Paris is easy. In many places there are telephone booths that work with cards that can be bought at tobacco and newsstands. The cost of cards varies from 8 to 15 € (depending on the number of minutes of conversation). You can also call with your own credit card. To call abroad, dial 00 followed by the country code and phone number.

Mobile communication works well in all areas of the city. The French mobile phone standard is GSM 900 or GSM 1800. You can rent a mobile phone at the post offices. When registering, the address of the hotel or the place where you are staying is called.

It has been operating in Paris for 5 years Paris WiFi system, which provides residents and guests of the city with free Internet access points, which include all parks, gardens, museums, galleries, etc. Internet in most hotels of the city is provided free of charge. The exception is, as a rule, the most "star" hotels.

Don't forget to send your family a postcard with a picture of the city. To do this, it is not even necessary to visit the post office, as many yellow mailboxes are located on most streets of the city. To send correspondence to Russia and the CIS countries, you need to purchase a stamp worth 1 €, which are sold at tobacco kiosks and post offices.

Security

Admiring the magnificent architectural monuments of Paris, strolling along the promenade or just looking at the shop windows, do not forget that Paris is not the most peaceful city in the world. The influx of migrants from Africa and Asia has led to the fact that, unfortunately, the crime situation in the city has become far from ideal. Dozens of pickpockets operate in crowded places, in unfavorable areas, which primarily include the 19th and 20th districts, you can become a victim of robbery, and not only at night. The most calm districts are considered from the 1st to the 8th and 16th.

Where possible, ATMs protected by a door should be chosen.

If you get sick, then you need to contact your insurance company in Russia. An employee of the company will call you back after a while and tell you which hospital and which doctor you should go to. If you seek medical help yourself, then it is likely that you will have to pay the bill for treatment yourself.

Business climate

With the right organization, the most profitable type of commercial activity in Paris can be a business in the service and trade sectors, followed by manufacturing activities, and in last place - the food industry and construction.

The rules for opening and doing business in Paris are the same for citizens of France and for foreign individuals and legal entities.

The French tax system is quite simple, but is characterized by strict tax control by government authorities. Penalties for incorrect filing of tax returns or tax evasion in Paris are among the highest in the world. The tax burden is also considered one of the most serious in all of Europe: out of 100 €, about 45 € will have to be paid to the state and city treasuries: VAT - 5-33% (depending on the type of activity); income tax - up to 75%; tax on a joint-stock company - 38-42%, etc. Labor laws are also quite strict. But with all this, services and goods produced in Paris are protected from double taxation, which plays an important role in increasing the profits of the enterprise.

The business center of Paris is the Défense district (La Défense), reminiscent of the number of skyscrapers Dubai. Modern buildings house offices of tens of thousands of French, European and Asian companies.

The largest exhibition complexes of the city (Porte de Versailles, Cité des Sciences et de l "Industrie, Paris-Nord Villepinte, etc.) annually host numerous exhibitions of world significance.

The property

The acquisition of residential real estate in Paris is a profitable and promising investment, as the inexhaustible tourist flow allows you to receive a stable income from renting out real estate. The main factor affecting the cost of Parisian real estate is its remoteness from the center and the main attractions of the city, so apartment prices range from 4,000 to 150,000 € per 1 m2. Modern apartments in new buildings in the suburbs of Paris, built according to modern trends and technologies, will cost 400,000-600,000 €, i.е. 6 000-8 000 € per 1 m2. If you still decide to buy an apartment in one of the historic buildings in the center of Paris, you should pay attention to the state of communications, as sometimes the cost of their restoration reaches 50% of the original cost of the apartment.

As for commercial real estate, on average, 1 m 2 of an office space, a shop or a hotel will cost 6,000-20,000 €, and a production one will be 50-70% cheaper.

In the 2nd district, due to the large number of pigeons that cause some damage to architectural monuments, there is a ban on feeding these birds. Violation of this rule will result in a fine.

You can get a considerable fine (68 €) in Paris since December 2012 for throwing a cigarette butt on the ground or in the water, as it is considered to be toxic garbage. About 10,000 urns with special "extinguishers" have been installed in the city for cigarette butts.

Smoking in Paris is prohibited in all public places, restaurants, hotels, transport, etc. You can smoke only on the terraces of cafes, bars and restaurants, as well as in specially designated areas with a corresponding sign.

Being drunk in public places is prohibited. The permissible blood alcohol limit for a driver is 0.5 g per 1 liter of blood (this is approximately 2 glasses of wine or 3 glasses of champagne). Young people between the ages of 16 and 18 can drink drinks with an alcohol level below 15%.

To navigate the Paris metro, you should not use maps in Russian, as you can easily get confused in the names of the stops. In addition, the main attractions are also signed on French maps.