▲ Paris is the capital of France and serves as the country's political, economic, and cultural center. Throughout its development since the Middle Ages, Paris has preserved traces of its past, including the layout of some historic streets, while maintaining a unified architectural style and achieving modern infrastructure development. As the heart of France, Paris hosts the headquarters of many multinational corporations, with La Défense being its primary business district. The Paris Region is one of Europe's highest-GDP areas, making it one of the "engines" of the global economy.
▲ The Louvre Museum was originally built in 1204 as a royal palace of France, housing 50 French kings and queens. It stands as one of the precious architectural treasures of the French Renaissance, renowned worldwide for its extensive collection of classical paintings and sculptures. After over 800 years of expansions and renovations, the Louvre Museum has reached its current scale, covering approximately 198 hectares divided into old and new sections. The iconic pyramid-shaped glass entrance in front of the palace, designed by Chinese-American architect I.M. Pei, spans 24 hectares. On August 10, 1793, the Louvre officially opened as a public museum. It houses the world-famous "Big Three" masterpieces: the Venus de Milo statue, the Mona Lisa painting, and the Winged Victory of Samothrace sculpture. With over 400,000 art pieces in its collection, the museum showcases sculptures, paintings, and decorative arts.
▲ Notre-Dame Cathedral of Paris, also known as the Cathedral of Notre-Dame de Paris or the Notre-Dame Cathedral, is located in the central district of Paris, the capital of the French Republic. Situated on the Ile de la Cite in the middle of the Seine River, it faces the Paris City Hall and the Louvre Museum across the river. This Gothic-style Christian church was founded on March 24, 1163, and serves as the cathedral of the Archdiocese of Paris, a branch of Christianity. It is one of the most symbolic monuments in the French capital, one of Europe's renowned Gothic cathedrals, a representative cultural heritage site of France, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. As a landmark of French and European literary and cultural significance, the cathedral's intricate carvings, paintings, and its vast collection of artistic treasures hold immense historical and cultural value, earning worldwide acclaim. It stands as a symbol of Paris and a sacred site for Christianity, one of the world's major religions.
▲ The Arc de Triomphe de l'Etoile, true to its name, is a monumental arch built to welcome triumphant armies returning from war. This arched structure stands at the center of the Place Charles de Gaulle roundabout in downtown Paris. The square itself was constructed to complement the majestic Arc de Triomphe, as the arch's presence caused traffic congestion. In the mid-19th century, a circular plaza with twelve radiating avenues—each 40 to 80 meters wide—was built around the arch. These streets fan out like the brilliant rays of a star, earning the square its alternate name, Place de l'Étoile (Star Square). The Arc de Triomphe is also referred to as the "Star Gate" and stands at the western end of the famous Avenue des Champs-Élysées.
▲ The Eiffel Tower (French: La Tour Eiffel; English: Eiffel Tower) stands in the Champ de Mars in Paris, France. It is a world-famous architectural marvel and one of the cultural symbols of France, as well as a landmark of Paris. The Eiffel Tower is 300 meters tall, with its antenna adding an additional 24 meters, making its total height 324 meters. Completed in 1889, it was named after its renowned designer and structural engineer, Gustave Eiffel. With its innovative and unique design, the tower is a technical masterpiece in the history of world architecture and serves as a major attraction and prominent symbol of Paris. Having weathered a century of challenges, the Eiffel Tower still stands magnificently along the Seine River after undergoing major renovations in the early 1980s. It is a source of pride not only for the French people but also for the entire world.
