The Most Popular Tourist Destinations in Paris

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.

A Brief Overview of France's Unique Culinary Culture

Celebrated around the globe for its beautiful museums, extravagant palaces, and historical landmarks, France is one of the richest cultural destinations in Europe. Perhaps the only thing that rivals France's historic beauty and diverse history is the nation's cuisine. Indeed, the home of robust wines, scrumptious baguettes, and ripe cheese is a foodie's dream. Combined with the large number of celebrated French chefs, restaurant's sporting multiple Michelin stars, and fresh markets amongst the best in the world, France is truly a dreamland for food aficionados.

Exquisite cuisine has played an important role in France for hundreds of years. French cooking as it exists today largely began to develop in the 17th century, and today the nation's culinary influence extends across the globe. The nation's unique food culture is so well-known that France has become home to a bustling gastro-tourism industry, with many travelers coming to France annually primarily to taste the delicacies found throughout France.

France has a plethora of different plates and dishes, each of which are typical of a certain region in the nation. Several dishes have further evolved into "national" dishes. This trend began to develop in the Middle Ages, when Paris became the center of the culinary world in France. The capital city's incredible markets, chefs, and restaurants began to develop in that period, foreshadowing the country's future. France's unique "atelier" system for those involved in the processes of food creation also developed in this period.

In addition to the unique dishes and plates available throughout France, the nation has developed many systems of classification and differentiation for restaurants and workers. In addition to the aforementioned "atelier" system, restaurants in France are classified based on what foods they serve and the type of wait staff found in the establishment. Amongst the many different classifications are bistros, restaurants, bars, and "bistrot à vins." France is also responsible for much of the kitchen staff structure used across the globe, where kitchen workers are named according to their function in the food preparation process.

Regardless of whether you're in search of a delicious pastry delight or a beautiful glass of wine, France is truly an all-inclusive destination. The nation's unique culinary processes have cemented the nation's place in the history of food. It is that very history that has inspired millions "au travers" the rich flavors of French cuisine, and which continues to impact the world's understanding of "haute cuisine."

Good French Cheese, a Gift from the Gods.

What better way to begin exploring French culture than to delve into its Cheese?
It's well known that there are over 500 French cheeses, of all different types, colors, tastes, and smells (of course); and from all over France. Out of these, only 44 have been awarded the coveted Appellation d'Origine Controlée (AOC) status, which protects not only the name but also local method of production.

As Eric Lefebvre points out in this video, "on est sur un terroir, un historique de race de bétail et de mode de fabrication" - We are on a terroir (land), with a livestock pedigree and method of production.  AOP really means something.  Since 2009, the AOC is being replaced by the European standard Appellation d'Origine Protégée (AOP), which serves essentially the same purpose and encompasses other European counties.

Eric Lefebvre is recognized Fromager (cheesemaker) and "Meilleur Ouvrier de France" (master craftsman).  In this video, he presents us with 7 "fromages au lait cru en pâtes pressées non cuites" (uncooked cheeses from unpasteurized milk made through pressing).