"Bon Jour!" a Paris Travel Page by Ramonq

click: Parisienne music

Paris, one of the most famous cities in the world is also one of the most popular places to visit on earth. This comes as no surprise, because this city is simply beautiful even though Paris boasts no dramatic mountains or spectacular harbour to serve as backdrops. In fact, the city is located inland, on a rather boring French plain bisected by an ordinary looking river, the River Seine.

Yet Paris is beautiful because of what its citizens, past and present, has done to it. Through time, layer upon layer of French history have left imprints on the city's landscape. From the ancient Romans to the rise of the city in the Middle Ages through to Rennaisance, Napoleonic, Industrial Revolution and Post Modern times, each generation left their legacy to the city that complements the previous generation's contribution.

However, the most familiar Parisian symbols, the Tour Eiffel and the terraced apartments along tree-lined boulevardes, were figments of the 18th and 19th century's imagination. During these centuries, Paris undertook grandious projects that we now come to love. I will not be able to forget the sight of this famous tower as I walked down Parc du Champ du Mars with this steel structure looming ever closer and closer to me.

Send Photo to a Friend

Notre Dame and the Seine River

Paris originated from a small island in the Seine River., Ile de la Cite. The Notre Dame now dominates this island and much of Paris' history can be traced from here. Built during the Middle Ages, the Notre Dame stands prouclly in the middle of Seine river and has witnessed so much French history. For me, Notre Dame is the ultimate monument and symbol of Paris overtaking the popular Eiffel Tower.

The Seine River, however, is Paris' lifeblood. It winds through the city and it is used as a fluvial boundary by Parisians. It dissects Paris into 2 areas locally known as the Left Bank and the Right Bank. Amongst the confusing spider web-like interlocking streets, these two sections of Paris have distinct personalities. One is bohemian, and the other one is more royal and grand. These are the two districts where all the famous Parisian sights are located. The Eiffel Tower, Arch de Triomphe, Champs Elysee, Montmatre, Nortre Dame, Place de Concorde, Tuileries, Louvre and Pigalle, they're all in these two areas. One will never get tired of walking and exploring the inner sections of Paris! Or if you're not fit enough, take the incredibly vast and efficient Metro network which always has a station next to your intended destination.

Send Photo to a Friend

But Paris does not live in the past and it definitely does not exist only for tourists like me. The city has expanded organically, and with it, social and economic problems that plague most Western cities such as isolation of poverty, alienation, drugs, racism, and pollution. Take a Metro to some of its "grande banlieue" in some arrondisement, and you'll witness some hopeless and miserable sights. Paris is a thoroughly modern Western city despite the overwhelming presence of past architecture. However, if you go past the vast Bois de Boulogne you'd see a futuristic modern section of La Defense. Even in the city centre, there are wonderful modern whimsical architecture that stands out among the crowd such as the Louvre glass pyramid and Centre Pompidou near Les Halles. Paris certainly know how to mix the old and the new and this is why I like this city very much.

Paris is still a global trendsetter in many ways, especially in the arts and cultural endeavours.It's very difficult not to be enriched by the cultrual heritage that this city has to offer. This great city will continue to be a force to be reckoned with in terms of global recognition and its pursuit of style.