Paris, France

Paris is the capital of France, and the cultural centre of all that is French-speaking. Instantly recognisable worldwide through such landmarks as the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe and the world-class Louvre museum, Paris is a popular holiday destination despite Parisians' legendary, but mistaken, reputation for rudeness. A city that has seen revolution and civil strife, the capture of Paris has been the goal of many a military ruler - the capitulation of the city being seen as the equivalent to the defeat of a continent.

Paris forms its own commune, one of tens of thousands of administrative divisions that the country is divided into. Within the commune, the city divides itself into 20 arrondissements municipaux, or 'municipal boroughs'. Each of these has its own distinct character, unlike for instance the centre of London, which is mostly home to shops and government buildings. Diverse communities inhabit the heart of Paris: there is a Chinatown in the central 3rd arrondissement and a popular gay village in the 4th. This area is also where visitors will find the Ile St Louis, one of two islands in the River Seine that divides the city; the island is often regarded as a separate 'village', with some in its own little community viewing Paris as another place altogether.

See also

• France