Why Beirut Was Once Called 'The Paris Of The Middle East'

From colony to couture, no other Middle Eastern city has proved itself to be a hub of art and fashion quite like Beirut. The fusion of East and West, of tradition and modernity, earned the Lebanese capital the nickname: The Paris of the Middle East. War-torn and tired, the people of Beirut show they can turn tragedy into cultural innovation.

The history

The name Paris resonates within the city of Beirut not just for its cultural vibe, but also for the remnants of its status as a French colony during the Second World War. At the time, Beirut was at the center of political discourse and intellectual endeavors. The end of the war witnessed the independence of Lebanon, but not the loss of a cultural renaissance within the masses.

The influence

Fashion

When it comes to fashion, no other Middle Eastern city can be approximated to France quite like Beirut. This Lebanese capital is the home of world-renowned designers like Elie Saab, Zuhair Murad, and Reem Acra. These are trailblazers who not only put Beirut on the style map, but also continue to dominate Paris Fashion Week year after year.

Lifestyle

Beirut is rife with Parisian-style cafés, and no shortage of intellectual discussion to boot, as the city is constantly alive with art showings, plays, and poetry nights. Even the streets and architecture stand true to the nickname it’s earned over the years, with some parts of Beirut rich in French influence.

The Lebanese capital is a testament to the singularity of its people.
The city constantly proves itself to be the center of Middle Eastern cultural innovation. War-torn and tired, the people of Beirut show they can turn any tragedy into art.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.