The capital of France is Paris. It is the largest city in the country and serves as the political, economic, cultural, and administrative center of France

. Paris has been the capital since its establishment as such by King Clovis in the early 6th century, with a brief interruption during World War II when Vichy was the capital under German occupation

. The city is located in the Île-de-France region, situated on the Seine River in the north-central part of the country

. As of 2025, Paris has a population of about 2 million residents within the city proper and over 10 million in the metropolitan area

. It is renowned worldwide for its rich history, cultural institutions, fashion, gastronomy, and iconic landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower, Notre- Dame, and the Louvre Museum