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Paris

Capital of FranceParis lies in northern central France, where the River Seine bends north in an arc around two islands, the Île de la Cité and the Île Saint-Louis.

Why it's the capital

Clovis, the first king of the Merovingian dynasty, made Paris his capital from 508. Under the Capetian kings, starting with Hugh Capet, elected in 987, it grew into the largest and richest city in France.

Fun facts

  1. The name comes from the Parisii, a Gallic tribe; in Roman times the town was called Lutetia.
  2. The Eiffel Tower was new for the 1889 Universal Exposition, held to mark 100 years since the French Revolution.
  3. Paris is nicknamed the 'City of Light' mainly because of its leading role in the Age of Enlightenment.

Finding it on the globe

Follow the Seine inland from Le Havre on the English Channel. Paris is on the river in the north of France, much closer to the Channel than to the Mediterranean.

Sources: Wikipedia: Paris, Wikipedia: Seine