DISCOVER CONTEMPORARY PARIS - A WORLD CITY ON THE MOVE

A forward-looking capital

Today, Paris is an open, multicultural and demanding metropolis. It combines its centuries-old heritage with the challenges of the 21st century: ecology, mobility, diversity and innovation.

Why take an interest?

Because Paris doesn't stand still in its glorious past: it moves forward, reinvents itself and inspires. To understand contemporary Paris is to grasp the face of a city in dialogue with the world while remaining deeply rooted in its history.

A brief history and anecdotes

The historic centre meets its suburbs, museums rub shoulders with street art, and classical monuments meet bold architecture such as the Philharmonie and the Fondation Louis Vuitton. The city's motto, ,  Fluctuat nec mergitur ("It is battered by the waves, but does not sink"), embodies this resilience and capacity to adapt.

Landmarks of contemporary Paris

- Greater Paris, a metropolitan development project
- The development of eco-neighbourhoods and soft mobility
- Cultural vitality: exhibitions, festivals, street art
- The rise of business and innovation districts such as La Défense and Station F

Tips for further study

- Explore contemporary art museums (Centre Pompidou, Palais de Tokyo)
- Discover the street art frescoes in the 13ᵉ arrondissement
- Visit modern architecture (Philharmonie, Fondation Vuitton, BNF)
- Observe cultural diversity through markets, neighbourhoods and events

Through the audio guide

🎧 Listen to our immersive account of contemporary Paris, between tradition and modernity, on History Guide City Paris!
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