Paris and the Île-de-France: The Global City

The Magnetic Capital

Paris remains France's undisputed tourism epicenter, attracting over 30 million visitors annually. The city functions as a complete tourism ecosystem:

The Monumental Core - The Eiffel Tower receives 7 million visitors yearly, generating €85 million in revenue - The Louvre welcomes 10 million visitors, making it the world's most visited museum - Notre-Dame (before the 2019 fire) attracted 14 million visitors annually - The Arc de Triomphe and Champs-Élysées create an iconic urban axis

Beyond the Landmarks - Neighborhoods like Montmartre, the Marais, and Saint-Germain offer distinct experiences - Business tourism thrives with major convention centers and La Défense business district - Fashion and luxury shopping from haute couture houses to department stores - Culinary tourism spanning from street markets to three-Michelin-star restaurants

The Île-de-France Extension The region surrounding Paris offers crucial complementary attractions: - Versailles: 8 million annual visitors explore royal grandeur - Disneyland Paris: Europe's most visited theme park with 15 million guests - Fontainebleau and Chantilly: Showcase aristocratic heritage - Business tourism in new towns like Massy and Roissy

Challenges of Concentration

Paris's dominance creates both opportunities and problems: - Overtourism in central districts affects resident quality of life - Economic dependence makes the city vulnerable to global shocks - Infrastructure strain on transport, housing, and services - Price inflation drives out local businesses and residents