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Paris, France City Guide

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Paris Meeting Planning

Eiffel Tower

Paris is considered one of the world's most enchanting cities, and meeting planners are not immune to its allure. From Louis XIV's grand art salons to the 19th century Universal Exhibitions, the City of Light has cemented its reputation as a first-class hostess. Now a hub for both global commerce and leisure adventures, Paris dazzles as many as 11 million visitors and 1,777 events each year with its charming beauty and unparalleled wealth of cultural opportunities.

As expected of a city with 163 museums and innumerable cultural icons, Paris does not lack in unique event space. Host a welcome reception aboard a Seine river cruise boat, or rent out the Carrousel du Louvre, whose four function rooms boast a backdrop of the world's most stunning collection of art. For a taste of legendary Parisian decadence, gather attendees at the iconic
  Moulin RougeMoulin Rouge
Moulin Rouge cabaret. Cocktail receptions and dinner parties at this grand spectacle are a great way to show attendees that conducting business in Paris is anything but ordinary.

Le Palais des Congrès de Paris

Traditional conference facilities also abound in Paris. In fact, the city has 15 major congress and exhibition centers, the largest of which is the 220,000-square-meter Paris Porte de Versailles. Having recently completed a massive renovation in 1996, the venue has risen to become the top-ranked exhibition center in France, attracting over 200 events each year. Meanwhile, the Palais des Congrès de Paris boasts four amphitheaters, 18 meeting rooms and over 19,000 square meters of of exhibit space used to host everything from medical symposiums to black-tie receptions.

Guests need not worry about getting lost in the streets as they navigate from one venue to the next. Paris boasts one of the world's most comprehensive metro systems, with 16 lines and 300 stations strategically placed throughout the city's 20 arrondissements, or districts, and extending into the inner suburbs. Getting to the city itself is also hassle-free, thanks to its two international airports serving 324 cities in 135 countries worldwide. European travelers can also make use of 425 high-speed trains that travel daily to Paris.

Palace of Versailles

For delegates, the greatest lure of an event held in Paris is not accessibility, but rather the prospect of what lies beyond the boardroom. The city's dining, nightlife and cultural scenes are incentive enough to undertake an overseas trip or cross-nation train ride, and the possibilities for group outings are endless. Special tours may be organized at nearly all of the city's museums, while early arrivals might enjoy a day trip to Versailles or to famed artist Monet's home in Giverny. From Michelin-rated restaurants and the elegant Champs d'Élysées to charming sidewalk cafes and the beautifully landscaped gardens of the Jardins du LuxembourgJardins du Luxembourg
Jardins du Luxembourg, Paris sets forth a truly magnificent stage for events of every variety.

Although Paris has always been the economic nucleus of France, the past century has seen the growth of this capital city into one of the world's most powerful business centers. An impressive 25 of the Fortune Global 500 companies are based here, a number second only to Tokyo. Included in these are BNP Paribas, Crédit Agricole, Peugot and France Télécom. Major international organizations such as UNESCO and the International Chamber of Commerce also call Paris their home.

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About Paris / Additional Info

Arc de Triomphe

Dating back to 4200 B.C., Paris has evolved into one of the world's most distinctive and famous cities. It has been the setting for historic events such as the storming of the Bastille in 1789, the victory marches of Napoleon and the siege of the Franco-Prussian War. Kings, emperors and presidents have seated their governments here, as did the shortly lived Commune of Paris.

Covering 87 square kilometers, Paris instantly brings to mind images of cobbled streets and graceful shuttered buildings with wrought-iron balconies – a look that was by no means an accident. In 1852, Napoleon III hired George-Eugène Haussmann to develop a plan for the modernization of Paris. Baron Haussmann's plan called for broad, sweeping avenues, uniform building heights, grand new public buildings and lush, green spaces. He also arranged boulevards to showcase famous landmarks such as the Arc de Triomphe and Palais Garnier, increasing the dramatic aesthetics of the city's layout.

Front de Seine

Although Haussmann designed his plan for a smaller city, his careful arrangement has withstood the test of time and population growth. Today, Paris proper is home to over two million people, with an additional 10 million people living within the greater metropolitan area. Nearly 20 percent of Paris' population was born outside of France, giving it an ethnic diversity that adds to the city's contagious energy for visitors. Experience the delights of a Tunisian bakery in the city's famed Latin Quarter, or delve into the heritage of the Maghreb region at the popular Institut du Monde Arabe.

As Paris has expanded and diversified, however, it has maintained its unparalleled reputation in at least one traditional area: food. French cuisine is renowned the world over, and with good reason. The country boasts 548 Michelin-rated restaurants, many of which are located within the Paris region. Lucky for the budget-friendly traveler, eating well need not be expensive in Paris. Stop into any boulangerie or patisserie to indulge in a freshly baked pain au chocolat or pastel-colored macaron. Or, purchase a fresh-pressed panini or tantalizing crepe from one of the many street vendors. For a quintessential Parisian experience, pack a bottle of wine, a baguette and some cheese for a picnic along the Seine.

Musée Rodin

In addition to its culinary excellence, Paris has long flexed dominance within the art world. Since the earliest royal art salon in 1673, France has shown great admiration – and high expectations – for its artists. Today, the city hosts some of the most prestigious art museums in the world; the Louvre, the Musée d'Orsay, the Centre Georges Pompidou, the Musée Picasso and the Musée Rodin are just a few of the most popular destinations. Hundreds of smaller galleries also dot the streets, providing plenty of opportunity for art lovers to soak up local culture.

After the museums and art galleries close, the City of Light lives up to its nickname thanks to its glamorous nightlife scene. From dance clubs and chic cocktail lounges to quiet neighborhood cafes and student-filled jazz clubs, nighttime in Paris presents an eclectic range of options to explore. Whether sampling local cuisine or soaking up the city's artistic and architectural gems, Paris presents a setting that visitors will not quickly forget.