It’s not only the seat of government, but also the country’s capital of commerce,

它不只是政府機關所在地，也是首都的商業區，

culture, and tourism.

文化及觀光區

So, what is the history of this iconic city?

那麼這指標性的城市有著什麼歷史呢？

Well, the origins of Paris can be traced back to 250 BC, when a Gallic Tribe called “Parisii”

巴黎可追溯到西元前250年，當高盧部落稱「巴黎士 (Parisii)」

settled on an island in the middle of the Seine River.

在塞納河的中部居住

After the island became a popular trading hub, the Romans took over around 52 BC, and

當這個小島變成熱門的貿易中樞，羅馬人在西元前52年占領後

expanded it along the left bank building baths, forums and amphitheaters.

沿著左岸建築浴場、廣場及露天劇場

By the end of the 12th century and long after the fall of the Western Roman Empire, Paris

就在12世紀末及西方羅馬帝國滅亡後，

became the center of France.

巴黎變成法國的中心

The area to the right of the Seine River, better known as the Right Bank, grew into

在塞納河右邊的區域，最常被稱之為右岸

a thriving business hub, while the Left Bank earned a reputation as the intellectual district,

轉變為繁榮的商業中樞，而左岸則被譽為文教區

housing the University of Paris.

區域內有巴黎大學

In the late 18th Century, just after the French Revolution, infamous military commander Napoleon

在18世紀末，就在法國大革命之後，惡名昭彰的軍官拿破崙

Bonaparte seized power.

波拿巴奪權

Over the course of about a decade, he improved Paris’ infrastructure and, to celebrate

在位近十年的時間，他改善了巴黎的基礎建設來讚頌

France’s military achievements, erected a number of iconic monuments, including the

法國軍方的成就，樹立數個指標性的紀念碑，包含了

Arc de Triomphe.

凱旋門

His nephew and heir, Napoleon III, built out the city even more, creating wide boulevards,

他的姪子和繼承人，拿破崙三世，推動更多項建設，建立了寬闊的林蔭大道

a huge opera house, a central market, public parks and a sewer system.

大型的歌劇院，中央市場，公園及汙水系統

He also divided Paris into twenty arrondissements, or districts, and expanded it to its current

他也將巴黎分成二十個郡，或稱為區，把巴黎市擴張到現在的水位

limits.

The city’s newfound prominence made it an ideal host for multiple world’s fairs, attracting

巴黎市的崛起讓它成為許多世界博覽會的主辦地，吸引

huge numbers of visitors.

許多的觀光客前來參觀

These symposiums led to the construction of the Eiffel Tower, Paris Metro and the Grand

這些博覽會帶來許多大眾建設如艾菲爾鐵塔、巴黎地鐵和大皇宮

Palace.

By this time, the city’s population had grown to nearly three million people, and particular attracting

而此時，這城市的人口已經成長到近三百萬人，特別吸引

artists and aristocrats from around the world.

全世界的藝術家及貴族前來

Paris was the city of choice for painters like Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dali and Henri

巴黎是畫家的首選城市像巴勃羅 畢加索，薩爾瓦多 達利和亨利

Matisse, as well as writers, like James Joyce, Samuel Beckett, Ernest Hemingway and F. Scott

馬蒂斯，和作家如詹姆斯·喬伊斯，塞繆爾·貝克特，歐內斯特·海明威和

Fitzgerald.

法蘭西斯·費茲傑羅

Fauvism, cubism, Impressionism and abstract art all saw their beginnings in Paris.

野獸派、立體主義、印象派和抽象藝術都在從巴黎開始

Today, greater Paris is home to roughly 12 million people, or nearly 20 percent of France’s

今日，大巴黎市是近1200萬人的家，或將近20%法國

total population.

總人口數

There’s no question that Paris plays a decisive role in making France the most visited country

毫無疑問的巴黎扮演決定性的角色讓法國成為世界上最多人觀光的城市

in the world.

The city remains a hub for food, commerce and culture, with world-renowned destinations

這城市還是保存美食，商業和文化聚集地，有著世界具聲譽的景點

like Notre Dame Cathedral, the Louvre, the Luxembourg Gardens and the Champs Elysees.

如巴黎聖母院，羅浮宮，盧森堡花園及香榭麗榭大道

The Eiffel Tower alone sees more than seven million tourists every year.

艾菲爾鐵塔每年有七百萬的觀光客前往參觀

Tourism has, in part, made the city an economic powerhouse as well.

觀光，就部分來說，讓巴黎成為國家的經濟支柱

At nearly $700 billion dollars, Paris’s GDP surpassed even the entire country of Saudi

將近七千億美元，巴黎的國內生產總值超過整個沙烏地阿拉伯國家

Arabia.

Paris’ enduring popularity and rich history make it one of the most sought-after, and

巴黎的人氣不減和豐富的歷史讓它成為全世界最受歡迎，

perhaps most romantic, cities in the world.

也許是最浪漫的城市

We can’t do episodes like this without help from our sponsors.

若沒有贊助商的幫助我們無法做影集

This episode was brought to you by Kay Jewelers.

這影片是由Kay珠寶贊助

For 100 years, every kiss begins with Kay.

100年來，每個吻都從Kay開始的

With its large population and booming economy, there’s no question Paris is one of the

有著人口數多及經濟蓬勃發展，巴黎毫無疑問的是

most dominant cities in Europe.

歐洲最占優勢的一個城市

But what about France as a whole?

那如果拿法國來當全體呢？

How Powerful is France?

法國的力量如何？

Find out in this video.

來看看這個影片

France is also a full NATO member and a founding member of the European Union, and they hold

法國也是北大西洋公約組織(NATO)的成員和歐盟的創始會員，而他們

a lot of influence over the world's economy.

對世界的經濟有著很大的影響力

14 African nations use a form of currency called the CFA Franc, which has direct ties

14個非洲國家通用一種貨幣被稱之為中非法郎，這貨幣直接與

to France's national bank.

法國國家銀行匯率掛勾

Thanks for watching Seeker Daily, everyone!

謝謝大家收看每日探索

Don’t forget to like and subscribe for new videos every day.

別忘了按讚和訂閱我們的每日新聞影片