Paris is one of the most romantic cities going and its popularity as a tourist destination is rarely matched throughout the world. Often referred to as ‘The City of Light’, it’s a charming, magical city, full to the brim with majestic landmarks and quaint, beautiful streets of cafes, bistros and restaurants.

It’s also a busy, bustling capital and fizzes with tourist activity all year round, with all the attractions staying open throughout the seasons. So whether you’re investigating the overwhelming Parisian monuments such as the Arc de Triomphe or the famous Eiffel Tower, dining in one of the city’s many restaurants or just doing a bit of shopping you can come at any time of year and you won’t be disappointed.

The city is situated on the River Seine in a region called the Île de France in the north of France. It's believed that Paris was founded about 52BC when a Gallo-Celtic tribe known as the 'Parisii' established a fishing village on the island of Île de Cité, right in the heart of present day Paris.

Paris is divided into 20 different areas called arrondissements. Starting from the centre of the city, the arrondissements are number 1-20 in a clockwise direction.

Like any well-designed capital city Paris has great transport links, and the best way to get in and around the city is by hopping on the Metro. Just about everywhere in the city is within strolling distance of a stop on the city’s underground system, so Paris really is open wide for you to enjoy.

Of course no one trip to Paris can ever be the same as the last as there really is so much to do in this town. Not only is there a wealth of monuments for enthusiasts of the aesthetic, there’s also a buzzing nightlife, an excellent shopping scene and a lively, romantic street atmosphere. Did we mention that Parisians are quite fond of their cuisine too? You’ll find an unbelievable amount of excellent restaurants scattered all over the city - they take food very seriously here and wherever you go you’ll be confronted with quality.