Paris (Things to do - Places to Visit) - PARIS Top Tourist Placesbr Capital of Francebr Paris, France's capital, is a major European city and a global center for art, fashion, gastronomy, and culture. Its 19th-century cityscape is crisscrossed by wide boulevards and the River Seine. br br Beyond such landmarks like the Eiffel Tower and the 12th-century, Gothic Notre-Dame cathedral, the city is known for its cafe culture and designer boutiques along the Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré.