Paris and France
FRANCE
The republic of France is the largest country in Western Europe and the third-largest in Europe as a whole. France extends from the Mediterranean Sea to the English Channel and the North Sea, and from the Rhine to the Atlantic Ocean. It is often referred to as l’Hexagone because of the geometric shape of its territory. In 2011, France estimated population reached 65.8 million people and the largest city in France, in terms of metropolitan area population, is Paris (11,836,970). A member of the G8 group of leading industrialised countries, it is ranked as the world’s fifth largest and Europe’s second largest economy by nominal GDP with 39 of the 500 biggest companies of the world in 2010.
France is the most visited country in the world, and there’s a reason for that – it has pretty much everything you’re looking for. France has 37 sites inscribed in UNESCO’s World Heritage List and features cities of high cultural interest (Paris being the foremost, but also Toulouse, Strasbourg, Lyon, Bordeaux, Nantes and others), beaches and seaside resorts, ski resorts, and rural regions that many enjoy for their beauty and tranquillity.
France is all about world-class art and architecture, Roman temples and Renaissance châteaux, iconic landmarks known the world over, and rising stars few yet know. Among other most renowned places there are the lily-clad gardens Monet painted at Giverny, the castles of the Loire Valley, the glamorous French Riviera, the Mont Saint-Michel or the city of Carcassonne. French culture offers never-ending possibilities to fill any stay in France. And there may be no better month than May for a vacation in France when the season crowds have not yet reach their highest.
PARIS
France’s capital, Paris, is located on the River Seine, in northern France, in the heart of Île-de-France region. Paris is often called the most romantic city in the world and is one of the most visited cities on earth.
Also known as the City of Lights, Paris is home to some of the world’s most beautiful architecture, art, monuments and people. From the iconic Eiffel Tower sparkling in the night, to the magnificent Versailles chateau, to the tree lined Champs Elysees, the crooked streets of St. Germain loaded with delicious patisseries and boutiques full of beautiful shoes, to markets overflowing with fresh produce, brightly coloured scarves and fresh cheeses, Paris is one of the most beautiful, bustling and alive cities in the world. Fashion-it spot, romantic cityscape, global centre of art and culture, historically rich, home to scenic parks and sidewalk cafes where you can sip a glass of French wine or a cup of coffee, Paris’ dynamic vibrancy makes it one of the most unique and stunning places you’ve ever been. It gets a lot of hype, but Paris will continue to impress you and live up to its reputation.
Paris has a very similar climate to the rest of central and eastern France, with warm summers and cold, fairly dry winters. Rain can fall year round, but fall and spring are great times to visit with pleasant temperatures and a drop in rainfall. The average temperatures in Paris during the month of May are 15°C.