Arguably the most romantic city in the world, Paris enjoys a special status as a city break location. Famed for its elegant architecture and stylish pavement cafes, it's home to some of the most fashionable beings on the planet. However, it is just as famous as a major cultural centre, with some of the world's most renowned museums and galleries. It is also a major centre of intellectual life and artistic endeavour. 45 million tourists a year visit the Paris region to enjoy all that it has to offer.
Paris lies in the northern part of France on the banks of the river Seine in the French region of Ile-de-France. Paris is divided into 20 arrondissements or boroughs.
The Paris we see today is the result of a massive programme of regeneration which took place in the 19th century. This produced the wide tree-lined boulevards and neo-classical stone buildings which typify Parisian architecture.