Tell about Paris ?

"The sound of the Saint Denis market is really special," Coulam says, highlighting the layers of foreign languages and general hubbub of the open-air and indoor market where visitors will find vendors from all over the world selling fruits, spices and pastries.

It's far from the most popular station in Paris but it's hard to deny that Europe's busiest rail station, Gare du Nord has its uses. And according to Coulam, there is more to this much maligned part of life in the French capital than meets the eye.

The city of Paris began in the 3rd century BC when a Celtic tribe called the Parisii built a fortified settlement on the Ile de la Cite.

The Romans conquered the Parisii in 52 AD and they built a town on the River Seine.

The Romans called Paris Lutetia. However Roman Paris was not a particularly large or important town. It had a population of not more than 10,000.

In the late 3rd century Paris and the surrounding region were converted to Christianity

The French have a reputation for not speaking any other languages – pretty much like us lazy Brits. But for Parisians this isn’t true and most of them speak pretty good English, particularly younger people.

Under the Franks Paris flourished. In 845 the Vikings raided Paris. The French king paid them 7,000 pounds of silver to leave.

If you ask if they speak English they’ll undoubtedly say ‘no’ but this is because they don’t want to be embarrassed by their not-so-perfect language skills.

Medieval Paris was also a busy inland port with goods being brought to and from its wharves along the Seine.

The people of Paris are so stylish. They have a classic elegance that goes beyond fashion and it can make you feel like a badly dresses heffalump in comparison. The way they walk, talk, eat, drink, smoke and breeze through crowds is just so damn sexy.

Paris was also noted for its scholars. Paris University became famous. Meanwhile from the late 12th century onward the most famous cathedral in Paris, the Cathedral de Notre Dame was built.

Not only are the people sexy but the city is sexy. Everything about it oozes sex appeal from the beautiful buildings to the smoking hot bars and cafes.

However in 1338 the Hundred Years War between France and England began and in 1348 Paris was devastated by the Black Death.

Not only are they well dressed but the Parisians also have amazing figures. Both men and women are slim and look really healthy. You might not notice this until you spot a tourist waddling down the street and you’ll see that they stand out like a sore thumb.

In 1357 the mayor of Paris Etienne Marcel led a rebellion in Paris to try and gain more rights for Parisian merchants.

paris is the only city in the world where starving to death is still considered an art.” Carlos Ruiz Zafón, The Shadow of the Wind

However Royalist forces captured Paris in 1358 and Marcel and his followers were executed

In 1420 the English captured Paris. However the French recaptured the town in 1436.

I often feel like London is a young person’s city. Maybe this is because I’m young myself but people often tire of London and move away eventually

Paris gradually recovered from the Hundred Years War and in 1528 King Francois I moved his court to the town. Once again Paris flourished

But Paris seems to be a huge mixture of ages and it’s often the older people who seem to be the most interesting. Many of them are impeccably dressed and often have an eccentric style that makes you want to follow them around and find out more about their lives.

Paris was, of course, at the center of the French Revolution which broke out in 1789

morning of 14 July 1789 Parisians seized cannons and guns from the Invalides (a hospital for military veterans).

They then surrounded a fortress and prison called the Bastille. The governor was forced to surrender.