With its majestic castles, classic architecture, and stunning masterpieces, France is a land full of exquisite treasures. Paris, often called the City of Lights, is indeed the shining gem in the center of the French crown. With its glorious museums, celebrated restaurants, and many cultural epicenters, the French capital is one of the most influential cities in the world. Its many impressive landmarks and famed locales have drawn visitors to the city for centuries, and today the city welcomes an annual 45 million individuals annually.
When one thinks of Paris, grandiose images of glamor are the first to come to mind, amongst which we often find Gustave Eiffel's famed tower and precious landmarks such as L'Arc de Triomphe or Sacré Coeur. Considering the general public's perception of Paris, it may come as a surprise that the most popular attractions in the city are not the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre Museum. Certainly, those iconic sites are amongst the most visited, but new developments have soared to the top of the list of the most popular attractions in Paris.
In fact, today the most visited tourist destination in the region is fundamentally American: Disneyland Paris. Opened in the spring of 1992, Disneyland Paris welcomes more than 15 million tourists annually, and has become the most popular tourist destination in Europe. Much like its American counterparts, the theme park offers visitors glimpses of the much beloved Disney characters, through its rides, parades, and shops.
Another of Paris' most popular destinations is a complex containing Paris' modern art museum, known in English as the Pompidou Centre. Named after former President of France Georges Pompidou, the centre opened in Paris' 4th arrondissement in the late 1970s. The building itself is quite a site, as its unique architecture features many of the building's structural elements. The Pompidou Centre has welcomed more than 150 million visitors since its opening, and the museum inside features work from many artists, including Pollock, Salvador Dali, and Andy Warhol.
Though modern exhibitions and new developments are perhaps not the most defining characteristics of Paris, they've allowed the city's influence to continue to expand. Many of them have garnered a fare share of criticisms, but they've all been built with the common goal of pushing the city forward. Indeed, these developments continue to draw new life to Paris, allowing the city to continue its reign as one of the most prominent in Europe.
