Paris, often referred to as the "City of Light," has a rich history that dates back over 2,000 years. The city was originally a small fishing village on the Île de la Cité, inhabited by the Parisii, a Celtic tribe, in the 3rd century BC. The Romans conquered the area in 52 BC, naming it Lutetia, and over time, it became a significant center of commerce and culture.   During the Middle Ages, Paris flourished as a center of learning and the arts, home to the renowned University of Paris, founded in the 12th century. The city played a pivotal role in the French Revolution (1789-1799), which led to the fall of the monarchy and the rise of the French Republic. The 19th century saw the transformation of Paris under Napoleon III and the urban planner Baron Haussmann , who modernized the city with wide boulevards, parks, and grand buildings.   Paris was occupied by German forces during World War II but was liberated in 1944. Post-war Paris became a hub for intellectuals, ...