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Montparnasse
The Montparnasse district occupies the 14th arrondissement, a part of the 15th and the southern end of the 6th arrondissement. The district became famous after World War I when the artistic and intellectual centre of Paris moved from Montmartre to Montparnasse. Montparnasse attracted famous people such as Picasso, Miro, Cocteau, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Ernest Hemingway and Jean-Paul Sartre. The Montparnasse area is renown for its literary cafés such as La Closerie des Lilas, La Coupole and La Rotonde. Montparnasse is also an important business district. From the top of the Tour Montparnasse, visitors can enjoy a breathtaking view of Paris. The Galerie Gaité Montparnasse is one of the city's popular shopping centres. |
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Place des Vosges
A great deal of French history has taken place at Place des Vosges. It was constructed by the order of Henry IV, and in 1612 was inaugurated for the wedding of Louis XIII and Anne of Austria. Over two hundred years later, Victor Hugo resided in an apartment here, and in this space he wrote a large portion of Les Miserables. It has since been renovated several times, and now houses cafes, restaurants, shops, and more. A statue of Louis XIII dating back to 1825 is there reminding visitors of Place des Vosges past, and visitors may also walk through the gardens.
Address: 6, Place des Vosges Paris France 75 004
 +33 1 42 72 10 16
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Saint-Germain-des-Pres
Saint-Germain-des-Prés is a charming district on the South bank of the river Seine. In the 19th century, the district became the meeting place of artists (Delacroix, Ingres, Manet) and writers (Racine, Balzac, Georges Sand). Les Deux Margots and Le Flore are the most popular cafés in the area. During World War II, Saint-Germains-des-Prés' cafés remained meeting places during the occupation of Paris. Among the cafés' most famous patrons were Simone de Beauvoir and Jean-Paul Sartre. Saint-Germain-des-Prés is the birthplace of the existentialism intellectual movement. |
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Avenue des Champs-Elysees
Avenue des Champs-Elysees is one of the most popular promenades in Paris, if not the world. It is a two kilometre stretch of road with the best of the city's shopping, restaurants, and movie theatres. Marked by the Arc de Triomphe monument at one end, it becomes a hub of activity on major holidays such as New Years Eve. Evening walks are ideal, as the boulevard is lined with elegantly lit trees.
Address: Avenue des Champs-Elysées Paris France 75008
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Pigalle
Pigalle is Paris' red-light district, and is easily recognizable at night by the illuminated red windmill of the Moulin Rouge. One of the world's first cabarets opened in Paris in 1889. |
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Opera district
The Opera district is characterized by the spirit of the Century of Light. During the 18th century, Paris was Europe's capital of fashion, luxury and intellectualism frequented by all of the continent's royal families. The district is known for its "Grands Boulevards" (large avenues) built by the Baron Haussmann, under Napoleon III, to give the capital city more prestige. In the heart of the district, the Opera Garnier, built in 1860, is one of the world's most renowned opera-house. The streets of the Opera district host banks, restaurants, cafés and Paris' most famous "Grands Magasins" (department stores): Galeries Lafayette and Le Printemps.
Address: Musée de l'Opéra (Opéra Garnier) Boulevard des Capucines Paris France 75009
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Ile-de-la Cite and Ile St-Louis
In the heart of Paris, the river Seine splits into two streams forming two islands: the Ile-de-la Cite and Ile-St-Louis. The Ile-de-la-Cite is oldest part of Paris. It is here where the first inhabitants of Paris, called the Parisii, settled around the 3rd century BC. During the Middle Ages, the Ile-de-la-Cite became an important religious centre with the construction of the Notre-Dame Cathedral and the Sainte-Chapelle. Less frequented, the Ile-St-Louis is known for its village atmosphere. Its quiet streets are lined with 17th century grey-stone houses. |
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Montmartre
Perched on a hill north of the city centre, the Montmartre area is like a village within Paris. Its narrow and winding streets, cafes and lovely squares give the district a unique atmosphere. The butte (hill) became famous at the end of the 19th century when Montmartre became the centre of the artistic and intellectual life in Paris until World War I. Famous writers and artists were attracted by Montmartre's Bohemian lifestyle including Apollinaire, Picasso, Van Gogh and Toulouse-Lautrec. Montmartre is also the birthplace of the Cubism movement. Today, Montmartre is still a meeting point for artists, especially around the Place du Tertre. The hill is dominated by the well-known Sacre-Coeur, a Byzantine-style basilica. Its construction began at the end of the 19th-century and was completed in 1914.
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Le Marais
Le Marais is an historic district of Paris featuring magnificent heritage apartments in the pure French style. King Henri IV decided to develop this marshy land on the right bank of the Seine River at the beginning of the 17th century. The district became fashionable and the centre of Parisian "salon life", when meeting places for intellectuals, writers and artists were created. The highlight of the district is the Place des Vosges, one of the most beautiful squares in the city, built in brick and stone and perched over a harmonious arcade. Many apartments on Place des Vosges used to belong to famous people including Madame de Sevigné, Richelieu, Bossuet, Alphonse Daudet and Victor Hugo who wrote a large part of Les Misérables there. Today, the district has undergone renovations and is one of the most desirable neighbourhoods in Paris. |
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Latin Quarter
The Latin Quarter is located south of Ile-de-la-Cite around Place St-Michel. In 1253, the district became home to the first University founded in France, the prestigious Sorbonne, one of the oldest universities in the world. At this time, Latin was the official educational language and students and professors used to talk in Latin after classes around the University. In 1968, the area was the centre of the French student revolt, known as May 68. The district has kept its original lively and trendy atmosphere and is renown for its medieval streets, colourful markets, restaurants, cafes and nightlife.
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La Defense
La Defense is the modern business district in Paris located west of the 17th arrondissement. This district is part of the "Grands Travaux" (big projects) undertaken by former French President Francois Mitterand in the 1980s. La Defense features 60 buildings hosting 1200 companies including many headquarters. The most impressive building in the district is the Grande Arche de la Defense, a huge hollow cube of 110 metres on each side housing business offices, restaurants and expositions. |
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Les Halles
Les Halles is a busy pedestrian zone that stretches from the Forum des Halles to the west to Pompidou Centre to the east and from rue Etienne Marcel to the north to rue de Rivoli to the south. Les Halles features numerous shops, restaurants, cinemas and a leisure centre.
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