Paris is the capital of France and the country’s largest city. It is situated on the River Seine, in northern France. It has has an estimated population of about 2,200,000. An important settlement for more than two millennia, Paris is today one of the world’s leading business and cultural centres, and its influence in politics, education, entertainment, media, fashion, science and the arts all contribute to its status as one of the world’s major global cities.
The Marais District: The rue des Rosiers is still a major center of the Paris Jewish community, which has met a renewal since the 1990s. Walls feature announcements of Jewish events, there are bookstores specializing in Jewish books, and there are also numerous restaurants and other outlets selling kosher food.
The neighbourhood has experienced a growing gay presence since the 1980s, as evidenced by the existence of many gay cafés, nightclubs, cabarets and shops. These establishments are mainly concentrated in the southwestern portion of the Marais, many on or near the streets Sainte-Croix de la Bretonnerie and Vieille du Temple. Read the Gay Paris story.