Paris Travel Guide
Explore Paris interactively
Live venue search, neighborhood guides, AI travel assistant, weather and more.
About Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city of France, with an estimated city population of 2.04 million in an area of 105.4 km2 (40.7 sq mi), as of January 2026, and a metropolitan population of 13.3 million (2023). Located on the Seine in the centre of the Île-de-France region, it is the largest metropolitan area and fourth-most populous city in the European Union (EU). Paris is nicknamed the "City of Light" mainly due to its leading role in the Age of Enlightenment. Administratively, Paris is divided into twenty arrondissements (districts), each with their own cultural identity. Haussmann's renovation of Paris, which created new boulevards, parks, and public works, gave birth to a modern city known as the "capital of the 19th century". Paris is a major railway, motorway, and air-transport hub; in 2024 Charles de Gaulle Airport was the EU's busiest airport. Paris has one of the most sustainable transportation systems in the world and is one of only two cities that have received the Sustainable Transport Award twice. Its Art Nouveau-decorated Métro has become a symbol of the city. Paris is known for its museums and architectural landmarks: the Louvre is the largest and most-visited museum in the world; the Musée d'Orsay, Musée Marmottan Monet, and Musée de l'Orangerie are noted for their collections of French Impressionist art, while the Musée National d'Art Moderne, Musée Rodin, and Musée Picasso are noted for their collections of modern and contemporary art. Parts of the city along the Seine have been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1991.
Paris fun facts
- The Paris Catacombs hold so many bones that parts of the tunnels are literally structurally reinforced with human femurs.
- The Paris Catacombs are said to have a 'midnight zone' where explorators report hearing footsteps behind them in empty tunnels.
- The Sainte-Chapelle was built to house Jesus's crown of thorns, which the King of France bought for 135,000 livres in 1238.
- The Eiffel Tower sells €25 hot dogs to tourists who don't realize there are better ones three blocks away for €3.