The City of Lights and Love

Written by: Natalie Yao

Paris is a beautiful and exciting city in the country of France. It is often called the City of Light because it was one of the first cities in the world to have streetlights, and it still shines with art, culture, and history today. It is also known as the City of Love because of all the architecture and romantic aesthetic. 

One of the most famous landmarks in Paris is the Eiffel Tower. This tall, iron structure was built in 1889 and stands high above the city. Visitors can go up the tower to see amazing views of Paris. At night, the Eiffel Tower sparkles the first five minutes of every hour with thousands of lights, which can be seen all around the city. Another important place in Paris is the Louvre. It is one of the largest museums in the world and is home to many famous works of art, including Leonardo Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa. The Louvre used to be a palace for kings before it became a museum!

The city is divided by a river called the Seine. People can take boat rides along the river and see many famous sights from the water. There are also many bridges crossing the Seine, each with its own unique design.

Paris is also full of parks and gardens where people can relax, play, and enjoy nature. One popular spot is the Luxembourg Gardens, where children can sail toy boats in a pond or run around on the grass. There is also Jardin des Tuilleries, which is one of the oldest parks in Paris, stretching from the Louvre to the Place de la Concorde.

Cuisine and Culture

Paris is also known for its delicious food. Fresh bread, called baguettes, is a favorite, and many people enjoy buttery croissants for breakfast. There are also delicate macarons, which are sweet cookies with creamy filling inside. French cuisine is famous for using a lot of butter, garlic, potatoes, and wine. 

In Paris, you can hear people speaking French, the official language of France. Even though it may sound different, many visitors learn a few simple words like “bonjour” (hello) and “merci” (thank you).

Landmarks

• Arc de Triomphe: An arch that was built by Napoleon to celebrate his military victories 

• Sacre Coeur Basilica: a big white church with large domes that sits on top of the Montmartre hill

• Palace of Versailles: located just outside of the city, the grand palace has large gardens, and is the place where the French kings and queens used to live

• Palais Garnier: a opera house built in the 1800s with baroque design, the house now hosts many Chanel fashion shows a year