French sightseeing makes more sense with an understanding of French history.
With the 5th century fall of Rome, the barbarian Franks and Burgundians invaded. From this unique mix of Latin and Celtic cultures evolved today's France. While France wallowed with the rest of Europe in medieval darkness, it got a head start in its development as a nation-state. In 507, Clovis established Paris as the capital of his Christian, Merovingian dynasty. Clovis and the Franks would eventually become Louis and the French.