Paris is the capital and most populated city in all of France. Located on the beautiful Seine River in the northern part of the country the city is home to over 2.2 million people. The city is just over 105 square kilometres in size. The metropolitan area of Paris however, is home to well over 12 million people. We have the cheapest Paris campervan rentals for you to choose from to tour around this beautiful country.
The city has certainly had somewhat of a chequered past. It is believed that the city has been occupied by man as early as 9800 BC. It wasn't until the third century BC that it was settled by the Celts known as Parisii, and from where the city gets its name today. Then in the first century BC it was overtaken by the Romans, turned into a military base called Lutetia. It was then later taken under the wing of the Christians in the early 200's. Clovis the Frank made it the capital in the 400's, and in 987, it became the capital of France under the rule of King Hugh Capet.
In the 1100's, Paris was really found its straps, it was not only a prosperous trading hub, but was the largest city in the western world, and also paid homage to the advancement of education was one of the top educational centres in Europe, due to the University of Paris. During this period also saw the birth of a very unique style of architecture, which later became known as Gothic.
The city also played host to events that changed its history forever, such as the French Revolution and the Enlightenment. It also became one of the biggest centres for the arts, science, commerce and fashion. Industries that it is still considered to be the world leader in today especially in fashion, as it hosts the Paris Fashion Week twice yearly.
The city boasts being home to 30 of the world's top Fortune 500 companies, and is one of the largest business districts in all of Europe.
Paris is also the home of so many iconic landmarks, such as the most visited art museum in the world, The Louvre. Other attractions that you just have to see include the Musee d'Orsay, the Musee du quai Branly, the Cathedral of Notre-Dame-de-Paris, the Sainte-Chapelle, the Eiffel Tower, the Sacre-Coeur Basilica on Montmartre, Les Invalides, Centre Georges-Pompidou, Museum national d'histoire naturelle, Cite des Sciences et de l'Industrie, Parc de la Villette, the Cite de la Musique, Musee des Arts et Metiers, the Arc de Triomphe, the Pantheon, the Grand Palais, the Palais Garnier, the Conciergerie, Place des Vosges, Place Vendome, Montmartre, and the Place du Tertre, the Sorbonne, the Flame of Liberty, Saint Denis Basilica, the Palace of Versailles, Chateau de Fontainebleau, Chateau de Vaux-le-Vicomte, Chateau de Vincennes, the Bois de Vincennes, Chateau Villette, Parc de Sceaux, Chateau de Sceaux, La Defense and Cathedrale Saint-Maclou de Pontoise.
Paris is also the home of the well-known red clay that forms the courts of Roland Garros. Every year the French Open Grand Slam tennis match is held in Paris.
Paris is also serviced by two major airports, Paris Orly Airport and Paris Charles de Gaulle.
