Where is Paris, France? Where is Paris located in the world? As you can see in the map below, Paris is located in northern France, bisected by the Seine River.
The city of Paris is the capital of France (the French Republic). France is divided into 13 regions, and Paris is also the capital of the French region of Ile de France.
France is part of Europe. People living outside Europe like to divide the European continent into smaller geographical areas. Thus, Paris and France are located in Western Europe.
With 19M+ arrivals, Paris was in 2019 the 6th most visited city globally (according to CNN travel). It was the 1st most visited city in Europe, now that London is not in Europe anymore.
In summer 2024, Paris will host the Olympic Games. Paris hosted the Olympic Games also in 1900 and 1924. In 2024, Paris will become the second city to host the Olympics three times (after London).
What is Paris Known For
Paris is famous for many things!. Paris is a cultural city. The main attractions in Paris include the Eiffel Tower, The Louvre Museum, the Orsay Museum, Notre Dame de Paris, and the Sacré Coeur in Montmartre.
Paris is also the world capital of luxury. You will find most French luxury brands in the Triangle d’Or (Golden Triangle), an area in Paris 8 delimited by avenues Montaigne, Champs-Élysées, and George-V.
Finally, Paris is also a gastronomical capital. In 2020 Paris counts 119 Michelin starred restaurants, but the Parisian bistros and brasseries are also good places to eat famous food to try in Paris.
Winter or Summer, rain or shine, read why Paris is always a good idea.
Interesting Facts About Paris, France
Paris is the most populated city in France. The population of Paris, France, is approximately 2.18 million inhabitants (2020), and the Metropolitan City of Paris (Région Parisienne) 10.73 million (2020).
What river runs through Paris, France? The Seine River. There is also the Bièvre River, but it was so polluted by the city’s tanneries and other industries that Paris decided to cover. Today, the Bièvre River only flows through Paris underground.
Paris in French is Paris (like in English but pronounced differently)
The historical center of Paris (Ile de la Cité and the Seine’s riverbanks) is a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
The oldest monument in Paris is the Luxor Obelisk (13 century BC), while the oldest monument built in Paris is the Roman Arenes de Lutece (1 century AD).
The city motto is Fluctuat nec mergitur (‘[She] is tossed [by the waves], but does not sink’). Historically, it makes reference to the ship that appears on the coat of arms and more generally, to all the challenges the city has faced through its history.
The colors of Paris are blue and red. These are the same colors as the French flag, but without the white (white refers to the French monarchy)
Often nicknamed Ville Lumière (City of Light), it might refer to the city’s first gas lamps in the 19th century. Another theory is related to the Age of Enlightenment in France
More locally, Paris is also nicknamed Paname about the Panama hats. This hat became very trendy in Paris at the beginning of the 20th century, and all the Parisian men used to wear it. In Paris, when you hear or read about Paname, they are referring to Paris.
Paris only has one sister city, and that’s Rome. Under the slogan, ‘Only Paris is worthy of Rome; only Rome is worthy of Paris.’, Paris and Rome were exclusively twinned in 1956.
Paris History
The history of Paris is long, very long! Here are some tips:
We don’t know much about the history of Paris before the Gauls. In 52 BC, this area was inhabited by the Parisii, one of the 98 Gaul peoples.
The Romans defeated the Gauls in 52 BC. The Romans settled in current Ile de la Cité (and part of current Latin Quarter), and they named their city Lutetia (translated into French as Lutèce).
During the Middle Ages, the French Kingdom was not much more than Paris and the current region of Ile de France. Thanks to marriages, alliances, and won or lost wars, France’s country took its current shape.
There is a French Monarch since Medieval Times. The first French King was Charles the Bald – King of the Franks and Emperor of the Romans (875–77).
The first king calling himself Roi de France (“King of France”) was Philip II in 1190.
The monarchy in France ended with the French Revolution (at least for a while) when the guillotine beheaded King Louis XVI and his wife, Queen Marie-Antoinette.
France also had two Emperors, Napoleon I and Napoleon III. Currently, France is a French Republic. Right now, we are at the 5th Republic. The first president of the 5th Republic was Charles de Gaulle (1959-1969), and the current president is Emmanuel Macron (since 2017).
Basilica of Saint-Denis, in the outskirts of Paris, is the burial place of the Kings of France while the Pantheon in Paris is the Republican equivalent, the burial place of many illustrious French men and women.
JUST FOR FUN: Take this (FREE) Paris Quiz!
Practical Information About Paris
Paris is divided into 20 arrondissements or districts. Read more about the districts of Paris.
Paris postal code is 75000 (75001– 75020).
The Parisian metro is the main means of public transportation in Paris. It is the world’s second metro system, inaugurated only after the metro in London.
Weather in Paris
Paris has an oceanic climate with an average minimum temperature of 15.1 ° C from June to August and 3 ° C from December to February and 8.9 ° C. Paris has frequent rains throughout the year, with an average of 111 days of rain.
Average temperature in Paris by month
Rainfall in Paris by month
Useful Addresses in Paris
- The address of the US Embassy in Paris is 2 Avenue Gabriel, 75008 Paris. Phone : (+33) 01 43 12 22 22
- The address of the Canadian Embassy in Paris is 130 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, 75008 Paris. Phone : (+33) 01 44 43 29 02
- The address of the Australian Embassy in Paris is 4 Rue Jean Rey, 75015 Paris. Phone : (+33) 01 40 59 33 00
- The address of the UK Embassy in Paris is 35 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, 75008 Paris. Phone : (+33) 01 44 51 31 00
