Paris’s beginnings
The city of Paris, originally known as Parisii by the Celts, was captured by the Romans in 52 BC and renamed Lutetia. By the 4th century AD, it was again referred to as Paris.
Throughout the Renaissance and the Enlightenment, Paris became widely accepted as a cultural, religious, and political hub. It was the center of the French Empire and the French Revolution, both of which dramatically reshaped France’s political landscape and the international map.
In the 19th century, Napoleon III and Baron Haussmann redesigned Paris with the grand boulevards and buildings we know today, but not without sparking debate.
Paris: the capital of an empire
The effects of the French Empire are still prominent in Paris. You’ll notice the multi-ethnic population, restaurants with flavors from every corner of the world, and the many international companies that choose Paris as their headquarters.
French is a major international language with over 320 million speakers, most of whom live outside of France. Even the phrase lingua franca, meaning “the common language,” comes from a period when French was the language of trade. Today, French takes on many Creole forms and dialects, but Parisian French is still the textbook standard.
Why we can’t stop visiting Paris
Over 40 million people visit Paris each year- including you! Paris’s museums are treasure troves of priceless art, so much so that the art spills out into the city at sites like the Arc de Triomphe, Notre Dame, and the Eiffel Tower. For French students, it is the ultimate test of fluency.
Paris is a city that must be experienced firsthand to truly appreciate its magic! What are you waiting for? Bon voyage!