The monumental buildings of Paris reflect the passing of the cebturies, from the great medieval cathedral of Notre Dame and the royal palace of the Louvre, to today’s grands projects, such as the Centre Georges Pompidou and the new Bibliothèque Nationale.

Beside all this grandeur everyday life goes on, represented here by terrace cafés and the Métro, while respite is offered by the parks and gardens, with their very parisian combination of nature with man-made formality.