书城外语英语PARTY——浪漫之都·法国
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第3章 城市导航Cityscapes(1)

Paris in Your Eyes

浪漫之都——巴黎

法国首都巴黎(Paris)是欧洲大陆上最大的城市,也是世界上最繁华的都市之一,素有“世界花都”之称。地处法国北部,塞纳河西岸,距河口(英吉利海峡)375公里。塞纳河蜿蜒穿过城市,形成两座河心岛(斯德和圣路易)。市区人口217万。城市本身踞巴黎盆地中央,属温和的海洋性气候,夏无酷暑,冬无严寒;1月平均气温3℃,7月平均气温18℃,年平均气温10℃。全年降雨分布均衡,夏秋季稍多,年平均降雨量619毫米。

巴黎是法国最大的工商业城市。北部诸郊区主要为制造业区。最发达的制造业项目有汽车、电器、化工、医药、食品等。奢华品生产居次,并主要集中在市中心各区;产品有贵重金属器具、皮革制品、瓷器、服装等。外围城区专事生产家具、鞋、精密工具、光学仪器等。

巴黎是法国文化、教育事业的中心,也是世界文化名城。法国着名的法兰西学院、巴黎大学、综合工科学校、高等师范学校、国立桥路学校以及国家科学研究中心等均设在巴黎。巴黎大学是世界上最古老的大学之一,创建于1253年。巴黎还有许多学术研究机构、图书馆、博物馆、剧院等。

巴黎是一座世界历史名城,名胜古迹比比皆是,埃菲尔铁塔、凯旋门、爱丽舍宫、凡尔赛宫、卢浮宫、协和广场、巴黎圣母院、乔治·庞毕度全国文化艺术中心等,是国内外游客流连忘返的地方。美丽的塞纳河两岸,公园、绿地星罗棋布,32座大桥横跨河上,使河上风光更加妩媚多姿。河中心的城岛是巴黎的摇篮和发源地。塞纳河畔圣米歇尔林荫大道有绵延数公里的旧书市场,每天都有不少国内外学者、游客来这里选购心爱的古籍,形成塞纳河畔古老的文化区——拉丁区的一大特色。

巴黎还是一座“世界会议城”。它以明媚的风光、丰富的名胜古迹、多姿多彩的文化活动以及现代化的服务设施,迎来了众多的国际会议,据统计,1987年在巴黎共举行了365次国际性会议,超过了纽约、伦敦、布鲁塞尔、日内瓦,居世界首位。联合国教科文组织、经济合作与发展组织等国际组织的总部均设在巴黎。

Paris is a good choice for a visit in this country. If you are a newcomer to the area or haven,t visited for a while,the information provided on this and related pages will prove invaluableinvaluable adj.无价的,价值无法衡量的 in assisting you to make your holiday or business venture here,as simple as a stroll down your local street back home.

Paris is the capital city of France,whose territory encompasses Paris and its suburbs. The city of Paris proper is also a département,called Paris département (French: département de Paris).

Paris,together with its suburbs and satellite cities,forms the Greater Paris metropolitan area,with a population estimatedestimate v.估计,估价,评估 n.估计,估价,评估 at 11.5 million as of January 2004. Paris is the most populous urban area in the European Union and is the second largest metropolitan area in Europe (after Moscow,and along with London),and is ranked approximately as the 20th most populous metropolitan area in the world.

Greater Paris metropolitan area,with a total GDP higher than Australia,is the largest financial and business center of Europe (alongside London),harboring more than 30% of France,s whitecollar population,as well as more than 40% of the headquarters of French companies,with the largest business district of Europe (La Défense),and the second largest stock exchange in Europe (Euronext).

Known worldwide as the City of Light (la Ville Lumière),Paris has been a major tourist destination for centuries. The city is renowned for the beauty of its architecturearchitecture n.建筑,建筑学,体系机构,its urban perspectives and avenues,as well as the wealth of its museums. Built on an arc of the River Seine,it is divided into two parts: the Right Bank to the north and the smaller Lift Bank to the south.

Formerly the capital of a colonial empire stretching over five continents,Paris is still regarded as the heart of the Frenchspeaking world and has retained a strong international position,hosting the headquarters of the OECD and the UNESCO among others. This,combined with its financial,business,political,and tourism activities,have turned Paris into one of the major transportation hubs in the world. Alongside New York,London,and Tokyo,Paris is often listed among the four major global cities.

Paris for some,represents a city of romance,for others,the French capital is a sparklingsparkling adj.闪烁的,闪闪发光的,发泡的 mix of writers and artists. While the first visit to the French capital may surprise,it is unlikely to disappoint. On all levels historical,architectural,cultural this is a fascinating city.

The River Seine splits the city into the Rive Droite (Right Bank) north of the river and the Rive Gauche (Left Bank) south of the river. Paris is just 10km (6 miles) by 11km (7 miles),easily explored on foot or via the efficient transport system.

Also known as the “City of Light”,Paris offers the true French experience,and if you don,t have time to visit other areas within the country,Paris will certainly give you an overall picture of the place.

Go up the Eiffel Tower,walk along the Seine at dusk or sip coffee at an elegant sidewalk café surrounded by artists or musicians;all these are unique ParisianParisian n.巴黎人 adj.巴黎的,巴黎人的 experiences. For the art lover,the Musee d,Orsay and the Louvre offer priceless collections,and the designer shops of the Rue du Faubourg St.Honore tempt the serious shopper. For those who enjoys food,Paris,restaurants are world renowned and you are sure to find new taste sensations as well as old favourites when here.

The hotels are good and the service uniquely French. Paris is city where new discoveries are made around every corner. There are excellent museums,galleries and fascinating buildings,wonderful theatre productions and fashion at its best. Its hard getting lost while you wander about,as outside every station and on most busy streets you will find maps of the local area.

Paris assaults the senses,demanding to be seen,heard,touched,tasted and experienced to the fullest. Paris is a city to discover and one you are guaranteedguarantee n.保证,保证书,担保,抵押品 vt.保证,担保 to fall in love with. Romantic and forever young,it will capture your heart.

Lyon Overview

文化之城——里昂

城市起源

里昂位于法国东南部、索恩与罗纳河汇合处。里昂地区的制药工业仅次于巴黎,是法国第二大制药工业基地,药品产量占全国1/10。该城市的一些学校声誉很高,从而使得里昂成为法国除巴黎之外最重要的教育中心。

里昂是一个叫隆的男人河与叫索恩的女人河合二为一生出的孩子。她有过一段辉煌史,那是在进攻戈尔的基地而繁荣的罗马时代。这里也曾有过一段令人屈辱的历史,当时的基督教徒曾受到残酷迫害,殉教者血染了整个里昂城。现在如果不提那些已远的旧事,而只谈现在已建成为超现代化城区的里昂,则她的魅力令人难忘。里昂的老城区与古老的宗教历史颇有渊源,其魅力令人回味。里昂分为旧城和新城,旧城在索恩河右岸,罗纳河和索恩河在城中蜿蜒流过,河上架有27座桥梁。游人来到里昂,总希望到旧城看看,曲折狭小的街道,爬上爬下的坡道,形成一种罕见的景观。里昂也有“文化城”之称,全市共有21个博物馆,以美术博物馆、纺织博物馆和装饰艺术博物馆最着名。

法国继巴黎之后人口最多的城市要数里昂了,他是座历史悠久的古老城市,特别是1998年被联合国教科文组织列为世界人文遗产城市之后,他的地位就更加显着了。里昂旧城的最中心布满了中世纪的建筑和教堂,这就使他获得了“拥有一颗粉红的心脏”之城的美称。

近年来,里昂在工商、交通和科教等方面都有很大的发展,包括郊区在内,人口已达126万,成为法国仅次于巴黎的第二大都市区和经济文化中心,在国际上也享有越来越重要的地位。

文化城市

里昂从来就是一座文化城市,从1450年至1550年,富有的银行家们来到这里,给城市带来了繁华和活跃的气氛,他们中有德国人和意大利人。在全欧洲,除了威尼斯,里昂是拥有印刷工人数量最多的城市,在这里的印刷厂里印出了第一本法语书。这里特别值得记住的是法国文艺复兴时期作家、人文主义者弗朗西斯·拉伯雷,他从蒙波利埃大学毕业后成为名医,1532年开始发表作品,他的《巨人传》就是在里昂完成的。里昂曾有艺术家和作家踊跃参加的文化沙龙,对传播新的文艺思想和理论做出了重要的贡献。这是一座了解自己的辉煌过去并对未来充满信心的城市,她的成功和其将在全法国经济、艺术领域所占的地位是所有预言家们都坚信不移的。