Paris: An Introduction with Lily Heise

The French capital is one of the world's most beloved cities. Elegant architecture, world-class museums, vibrant neighborhoods, and fabulous gastronomy, the city delights for so many reasons. This conversation aims to provide a primer on the city's history, layout, and main sites and other useful tidbits from pre-Roman times to the French Revolution, perfect for first-time visitors or anyone who would like to better understand this marvelous yet complex city.

The conversation will begin by journeying back over 2,000 years to the founding of the first village here by Gaulic fishermen on the banks of the Seine River. We'll then explore the key time periods of the city, from the Romans to the various King Louis and up to the outbreak of the French Revolution. We will stop this conversation in the year 1789. (We'll explore the modern era, the 1800s through to today, in other Conversations.)

Over the course of our virtual tour, we'll also explore the main sites built during these various eras including Notre Dame, the Louvre, and the Marais. Then it's over to you for a useful 30-minute Q&A during which you can tap your expert guide's vast knowledge of the City of Light.

Originally from Canada, Lily Heise is a freelance travel writer who has been living in Paris since 2000. She holds a Fine Arts Degree from the University of Guelph and has extensive experience in tourism and culture having worked for several French universities, museums, cultural sites and previously in the office of Context Travel. Her writing has been featured on the Huffington Post, Business Insider, CondeNastTraveler.com, Frommer's print guides and online, DK Eyewitness, Fodor's and others.

This conversation is suitable for all ages

90 minutes, including a 30 minute Q&A.