Historic Cities:   Paris

Although Paris is not and never has been part of the Languedoc, it is of interest to residents of and visitors to the Languedoc for a number of reasons:

• The Languedoc is currently part of France, an extremely centralised state within the EU, and so governed from Paris. Central government functions include the Constitution along with constitutional arms of government (The Executive , Legislature and Judiciary), The Medical System, The Education System, and the use of French Republican Symbols
• Many visitors to the Languedoc travel through Paris, including drivers and railway passengers from the UK and Northern Europe, and airline passagers from the USA, Canada, Australia, etc. Also, many Parisians spend their annual vacations in the Languedoc. Click on the following link for a good route from Paris to the Languedoc which passes over the Millau Bridge
• Some of the Languedoc Mysteries extend to Paris and beyond (eg Rennes-le-Château)
• Some Languedoc locations are nationally famous (eg Cathar Castles, Tautavel, Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert, Bugarach and the Pic de Bugarach, )
• Top-end Languedoc property is advertised by Parisian immobiliers
• The Languedoc contains many national monuments including World Heritage sites (Carcassonne, Canal du Midi, Pont du Gard etc)
• The Treaty of Paris was an important treaty between the King of France and the Count of Toulouse, under the terms of which the old Languedoc was annexed to France.
• Foreign embassies are located in Paris
• The histories of the Kings of France , England, and Aragon are closely tied to the Counts of Toulouse.
• Some Languedoc heroes are also French national heros (notably de Vauban, Pierre-Paul Riquet, Frederic Mistral and Georges Brassens, and many Historic Artists and Contemporay Artists)

There is also a cordial mutual contempt between Parisians and Languedociens. Parisions regard Languedocians as unworldly parochial rural hicks speaking a quaint incomprehensible patois, while Langudociens regard Parisions as unworldy parochial ignoramuses who cannot even speak their own barbarian language properly.

Paris Links

• Paris Travel Guide : www.justparis.org
  Paris: when and were to go. Getting around. Parks & gardens. Paris for kids. Nightlife. Weather. Photos. Hotels. Everything you need.
• Simply Paris - Paris Guide : www.simplyparis.org
  Paris travel guide. Top Paris Attractions, When to Go, Facts, History, Geography. Itineries & planning your trip. Culture & Entertainment.