Sightseeing In Paris Is Like Plunging Into Ancient History

Sightseeing in Paris is like plunging into ancient history: remains of the old Roman Lutetia, grand medieval abbeys, gothic masterpieces, classical architecture, collections from Napoleonic times, perspectives defined by Haussman.

A remarkable density of artistic and cultural treasures to choose from at each visit! 180 museums and monuments for your enjoyment: discover internationally-renowned collections of paintings, sculpture and decorative arts, go in search of iconic emblems, symbols of the influence of an era, take inspiration from a wealth of contemporary heritage -all this makes Paris a capital of the arts, both past and present.

Paris one step ahead

An overview of the year's cultural events (inaugurations, reopening, etc.), details in the information file outlining the various themes.
A real cultural effervescence and a profusion of new products to further enrich Parisian heritage and change the face of the city.
In 2012, Paris stays one step ahead, while the future face of the capital for the 2020s is mapped out. The cultural scene remains the destination's strongest attraction, with the opening of new venues and with events for every type of public. Paris is a capital that is always in the public eye and always full of surprises with its museums, galleries, and monuments, trendy bars, hotels of charm and character, palaces, and sumptuous restaurants. Full of energy at every turn, Paris is more than ever A moveable feast'!Paris, leading tourism destination. Paris, a city at the heart of Europe, is the favorite destination of some 29 million visitors from Europe but also from emerging countries like China, India, or Brazil. The capital's ability to transform itself and to climb up into the top ranks of the most innovative cities makes it one of the most attractive destinations. Ideally connected to Europe's major capitals by ever-more efficient TGV links, and to the rest of the world via its airports, including Paris-Charles-de-Gaulle, Europe's leading airport, in terms of movement, Paris now seems to have no borders! Paris, always an event. All year long, some 300 artistic events take place every day in all cultural domains. Some of those invented in Paris have been taken up by other capital cities: the Nuit blanche, now adopted from Rome to Miami, or Paris-Plages, a summer event which transforms parts of the city into a seaside resort, today taken up by Milan, Brussels and Mexico. In addition to these major events that celebrate a typically Parisian art of living: Shopping by Paris, the capital's winter sales and shopping event; Paris Illumine Paris, festive end-of-year illuminations in all districts of Paris; and the Nuits Capitales, five days of special events, concerts and clubbing in Parisian nightspots. The cultural year in 2012 also features major exhibitions: with classics like Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, Degas, Le Corbusier or Dali. For contemporary art, there is Daniel Buren for Monumenta in the nave of the Grand Palais, which will also play host to the Fiac and Art Paris, and new since 2011, Paris Photo, the major international photography event. Exhibitions devoted to major artists like Helmut Newton or Edward Hopper are also held here. On the design scene, the Maison & Object trade show, the Puces du Design and Designer"s Days can now count on the new Paris Design Week. Gastronomy is also much in view with the Omnivore food festival, Fooding and the operation "Tous au restaurant'. Major sporting events will thrill spectators: The French Open Tennis Championship at Roland-Garros, the arrival of the Tour de France, the Prix d'Amerique, and the Paris Marathon.