Character of the cityįor centuries Paris has been one of the world’s most important and attractive cities. Area city, 41 square miles (105 square km) metropolitan area, 890 square miles (2,300 square km). It is by far the country’s most important centre of commerce and culture. Paris occupies a central position in the rich agricultural region known as the Paris Basin, and it constitutes one of eight départements of the Île-de-France administrative region. The modern city has spread from the island (the Île de la Cité) and far beyond both banks of the Seine. People were living on the site of the present-day city, located along the Seine River some 233 miles (375 km) upstream from the river’s mouth on the English Channel (La Manche), by about 7600 bce. Paris, city and capital of France, situated in the north-central part of the country.

The city of grands projets (1968 to 21st century).

Haussmann’s Paris (mid-19th century to 1968).

Paris during and after the French Revolution (1789 to mid-19th century).

From Renaissance architecture to beautification schemes (15th century to 18th century).

Medieval development and discord (12th century to 16th century).

The Rue de Rivoli and Right Bank environs.

Saint-Germain-des-Prés and the Latin Quarter.

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Where is the ville