In this article, I share 20 fun facts about Paris, based on my experiences in the City of Light. Paris is the capital of France and a top visited city in the world. The entire city is as a global center for art, fashion and culture. During my school years, my mother and I went on several mother-daughter city trips across Europe. After our adventure in London, we headed to Paris a year later. I absolutely fell in love with Paris for its AMAZING second-hand shops, art scene, architecture and of course, the delicious pain au chocolat. To me, visiting Paris feels like walking through a museum with the mixture of classical and Haussmann architecture. Key Facts About Paris Details Population(2025) 2,048,472 Official Language French Currency Euro Country France Main Religion Catholicism Area 105.4 km² Discover my favorite 20 incredible fun facts about Paris that are sure to surprise you.
20 Fascinating Fun Facts About Paris The Eiffel Tower is the most visited monument in the world. It was originally built as a temporary installation Paris was once called Lutetia There are 24 Fortune 1000 companies in Paris The Mona Lisa was once stolen from The Louvre Museum, and recovered two years later The remains of six million people lie beneath one of the most popular cities in the world Paris gained the nickname “City of Light” during the Enlightenment Paris has a deep commitment to being green Women weren’t legally allowed to wear trousers in Paris until recently The Lumière brothers held the first public movie screening in December 1895, showing 10 films In 1921, the cocktail “Bloody Mary” was invented in Paris Each year, a bakery wins the title of the best baguette in Paris and delivers it to the French President for a year Pont Neuf doesn’t mean “bridge Nine”; it actually means “New Bridge” The Pont Des Arts bridge is famous for being covered in love locks, a practice that is now banned The main bell of Notre Dame Cathedral is named Emmanuel and weighs over 13 tons Camouflage was first used by the French army during World War I in 1915 Paris has the second largest wholesale market in the world There are no stop signs in Paris You can walk across Paris on foot north to south in two hours and 15 minutes More than 25 million tourists visit Paris each year; Disneyland Paris attracts half of them Paris Syndrome is real, particularly affecting Japanese tourists Rustic Pathways students visiting the iconic Eiffel Tower. 1. The Eiffel Tower is the most visited monument in the world; it was originally built as a temporary installation The Eiffel Tower in Paris is one of the most visited paid entrance monuments in the world. It was completed in 1889 for the World Fair and was intended to last 20 years. Now, 136 years later, it remains a symbol of the city. The Eiffel Tower became a historical monument in 1964. Evening lights were added to the tower in 1985, and in 1991, it was included as part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site “Paris, Banks of the Seine.” Bonus Fun Facts About the Eiffel Tower: The Eiffel Tower shifts by up to 15 cm due to temperature changes. The names of 72 engineers, mathematicians, and scientists are engraved on the tower. Visitors can take the elevator or climb the 1,665 steps to reach the top of the Eiffel Tower. Tip: Be cautious of scams and tourist traps around the Eiffel Tower or you could end up like my mom and me, paying $10 for a photo taken by a clown.
2. Paris was once called Lutetia Lutetia was a Gallo-Roman town that predated modern Paris. The settlement Lutetia Parisiorum was established in 52 BC by the Romans after conquering the Parisii tribe. Its strategic location on the Seine River made it an important trade hub and crossing point. Artifacts from Lutetia are displayed here, at the Musée Carnavalet. Historical Timeline 4500 BC: A Neolithic settlement existed at the site. 3rd Century BC: The Parisii, a Gallic tribe, established a city here. 1st Century BC: Romans conquered the settlement and began developing it into a city. 5th Century: Lutetia became the capital of the Merovingian dynasty of French kings, evolving into what we now call Paris. Over its 2,400-year history, Paris has constructed seven concentric fortification walls. Two of these medieval city walls from the Middle Ages are still partially visible today. Artifacts from Lutetia are displayed at the Musée Carnavalet. 3. There are 24 fortune 500 companies in Paris Paris is often viewed as merely a tourist destination, but the city is also home to 24 Fortune 500 companies, making it a major hub of capitalism as well. Rank Company City Address 49 Total Energies Paris 2 Place Jean Millier, 92078 La Défense, France 49 Electricite de France Paris 22-30 Avenue de Wagram, 75008 Paris, France 64 BNP Paribas Paris 16 Boulevard des Italiens, 75009 Paris, France 104 Societe Generale Paris 29 Boulevard Haussmann, 75002 Paris, France 118 Credit Agricole Paris 12 Place des Etats-Unis, 92127 Montrouge, France 119 Christian Dior Paris 30 Avenue Montaigne, 75008 Paris, France 122 Carrefour Massy 1 Rue de la Belle Feuille, 91300 Massy, France 126 AXA Paris 25 Avenue Matignon, 75008 Paris, France 130 Engie Paris 1 Place Samuel de Champlain, 92400 Courbevoie, France 166 Vinci Rueil-Malmaison 1 Cour de la République, 92500 Rueil-Malmaison, France 174 Groupe BPCE Paris 50 Avenue Pierre-Maurice, 75009 Paris, France 225 Bouygues Paris 32 Avenue Klein, 75015 Paris, France 251 Renault Boulogne-Billancourt 13-15 Quai le Gallo, 92100 Boulogne-Billancourt, France 284 Saint-Gobain Courbevoie 18 Avenue d’Alsace, 92400 Courbevoie, France 297 Sanofi Paris 54 Rue La Boétie, 75008 Paris, France 308 Veolia Environnement Paris 21 Rue La Boétie, 75008 Paris, France 320 Orange Paris 78 Rue Olivier de Serres, 75015 Paris, France 337 Credit Mutuel Group Strasbourg 1 Rue du Ginkgo, 67300 Schiltigheim, France 341 SNCF Group Paris 18 Rue de Dunkerque, 75010 Paris, France 348 L’Oreal Clichy 41 Rue Martre, 92110 Clichy, France 387 Schneider Electric Rueil-Malmaison 35 Rue Joseph Monier, 92500 Rueil-Malmaison, France 409 La Poste Paris 9 Rue du Colonel Pierre Avia, 75015 Paris, France 431 ELO Group Paris 18 Rue de la Chancellerie, 75007 Paris, France 496 Air France-KLM Group Roissy-en-France 2 Rue de la Haye, 95711 Roissy-en-France, France Data from Fortune magazine, accessed 10/24/2024 4. The Mona Lisa was once stolen from The Louvre Museum, and recovered two years later She may be tiny, but Mona’s smile pulls a bigger crowd than anyone else. The Louvre Museum is the largest art museum in the world and home to countless art treasures. In 1911, the Mona Lisa was stolen from the Louvre by Italian handyman Vincenzo Peruggia. Peruggia pulled off the theft by hiding overnight in the museum. It took 24 hours for anyone to realize the Mona Lisa was missing, as many artworks were removed for cleaning. Back then, the Louvre had limited security, with more rooms than guards. The theft was front-page news around the world and turned the Mona Lisa into a cultural phenomenon, with people lining up to see the empty space where she once hung. The investigation was lengthy, with various suspects, including Pablo Picasso. After two years, Mona Lisa was recovered, and the absence made it a household name. Discover the Birthplace of the Mona Lisa in Italy 5. The remains of six million people lie beneath one of the most popular cities in the world The Catacombs of Paris are located beneath the streets of the city and contain the remains of over six million people. This network of underground tunnels was created in the late 18th century to address overcrowded cemeteries and public health concerns. Today, the Catacombs are a popular historical site, attracting visitors interested in exploring this unique part of Paris’s history. Start Your French Journey With Our Student Programs Now 6. Paris gained the nickname “City of Light” during the Enlightenment Paris earned the nickname “City of Light” (La Ville Lumière) during the 18th-century Enlightenment. This name reflects the city’s role as a center of intellectual and cultural advancement, where philosophers and artists gathered to promote knowledge, new ideas and surprising facts. Paris also earned the title due to its early adoption of street lighting, further enhancing its image as a beacon of progress. The first electric streetlights in Paris were installed in 1878. 7. Paris has a deep commitment to being green The green garden at the Basilique du Sacré-Cœur is blooming beautifully. Alongside other European cities, the city of Paris set ambitious environmental goals as part of its commitment to the Paris Agreement, to become a carbon-neutral city by 2050. These initiatives include the following: Car Restrictions: Paris limits older, polluting vehicles and has created pedestrian-only zones to improve air quality. Parks: Paris has 450 parks and gardens, including Jardin du Luxembourg, Jardin des Tuileries and Bois de Boulogne. Tree Planting: By 2026, Paris plans to plant 170,000 new trees, enhancing its green spaces. Tree Preservation: Along with planting new trees, Paris is dedicated to preserving its existing urban forest, to enhance air quality and provide shade in public spaces. Bike Infrastructure: Paris has dedicated bike lanes and bike-sharing programs. Green Roofs and Walls: The city promotes green roofs and vertical gardens on buildings to reduce urban heat and improve air quality. Urban Agriculture: Paris has a high concentration of urban farming initiatives, allowing residents to grow vegetables and herbs in community gardens and on rooftops. Public Transport Expansion: Paris has the second busiest underground network in Europe, serving millions of passengers every day. The city is further expanding its public transport network, including the Metro and RER systems. Category Details Wooded Areas/Natural Spaces 26% Urban Space 22% Water 1.5% Regional Nature Parks ¼ of the region is covered by 4 existing parks and 1 planned park. Outstanding Gardens 43 Natura 2000 Sites 36 Ecological Corridors 15,000 km Geological Interest Sites 275 Sustainable Neighborhoods 138 Planned Housing Units 180,000 units planned within accredited neighborhoods. Urban Services High levels of services (water, waste, energy). Urban Rivers Reopened Over 5 km since early 2000s; 15 km more in progress. Biodiversity Reservoirs 262,000 ha, including Fontainebleau forest and Vexin Regional Park. Organic Farms Percentage Nearly 15% (661 producers) Organic Land 38,300 ha (7% of regional agricultural surface). Short Food Circuits In place for 985 farms (22%). Methanization Units 61 active units, including 41 agricultural; 222 million m³ of biogas produced (1.39 TWh of primary energy). Sources L’Institut Paris Region, GAB Île-de-France, 2023, Chambre Régionale d’Agriculture, DRAC Île-de-France, 2022, Agreste/RA 2020 >> LEARN MORE: Environmental Conversation Program in East Africa 8. Women weren’t legally allowed to wear trousers in Paris until recently Traditionally, women weren’t allowed to wear pants in public without police permission in Paris. The law was rarely enforced by the French government. In 2013, Paris passed a repeal to the centuries-old law requiring women to get police permission to wear pants. 9. The Lumière brothers held the first public movie screening in December 1895, showing 10 films On December 28, 1895, the Lumière brothers held the first commercial public screening of their films at the Grand Café in Paris. This evening is considered the beginning of moviegoing. The brothers charged admission for the event. They attracted a few dozen people to watch ten short films presented on the cinematograph, a machine that combined motion picture technology with projection capabilities. We have yet to discover how much they charged for popcorn! 10. In 1921, the cocktail “Bloody Mary” was invented in Paris The Bloody Mary cocktail was invented in 1921 at the New York Bar in the French capital. The drink’s creation is attributed to Parisian bartender Fernand Petiot, who made it using vodka and tomato juice. 11. Each year, a bakery wins the title of the best baguette in Paris and delivers it to the French President for a year This looks yummy! This competition celebrates the artistry required to make authentic French baguettes. The selection process involves a panel of judges who assess the baguettes based on various criteria, including taste, texture, crust and overall appearance. The 2024 winner was Boulangerie Utopie. >> LEARN MORE: 11 Fun Facts About France 12. Pont Neuf doesn’t mean “bridge Nine”; it actually means “New Bridge” The construction of Pont Neuf began in 1578 by King Henry III and was completed by King Henry IV in 1607. Pont Neuf is the oldest bridge and has 12 signature arches. It connects the Île de la Cité to the Right Bank. In 1991, Pont Neuf was added to the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites. 37 other bridges across the Seine include Pont Alexandre III and Pont Royal. Two friends smile on a Paris bridge with Notre-Dame and the Seine behind them. 13. The Pont Des Arts bridge is famous for being covered in love locks, a practice that is now banned Lovers have famously covered the Pont Des Arts bridge with locks symbolizing their undying love. The bridge spans the River Seine that runs through the heart of the city. The tradition gained significant popularity in the early 2000s, with thousands of locks adorning Paris’s bridges, earning the Pont Des Arts the nickname “Love Lock Bridge.” Since 2015, attaching locks to bridges in Paris has been officially banned. How about taking your significant other or best friend to Salzburg, Austria, and adding a lock at the Makartsteg Bridge instead? Notre-Dame Cathedral in the sun under a blue sky. 14. The main bell of Notre Dame Cathedral is named Emmanuel and weighs over 13 tons Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris has 10 bells, all located in its main bell towers. The largest and most famous bell was cast in 1686, is named Emmanuel and weighs over 13 tons. Emmanuel became a national historic landmark after ringing during the liberation of Paris in 1944. Notre-Dame’s construction began in 1163 and took nearly two centuries to complete, combining primarily Gothic architecture with some Romanesque elements from its early phases. 15. Camouflage was first used by the French army during World War I in 1915 Camouflage was first used by the French army in World War I in 1915. The word originates from a French verb meaning “to make up for the stage.” Today, streetwear brands have adopted camouflage. It is now common in oversized hoodies, jogger pants and other urban fashion items. 16. Paris has the second largest wholesale market in the world The Rungis International Market in Paris is the second largest wholesale food market in the world, after Central de Abasto in Mexico City. Rungis mainly deals with food and horticultural products. Located in the southern suburbs of Paris, the market spans 810 acres. Category Details Market Name Rungis International Market Significance World’s biggest fresh products market Turnover $12.1 billion Consumers Served 18 million Number of Companies 1,230 Visitors 6,400,850 New Buyers 4,300 Annual Goods Volume 3 million tons Food Products Volume 1.8 million tons Paris streets glow at sunset calling for evening strolls. 17. There are no stop signs in Paris In 2016, the last stop sign in Paris was removed from Quai Saint-Exupéry. Paris relies on traffic lights and the “yield to the right” rule to manage intersections. This change was due to the city’s decision to streamline traffic management. 18. You can walk across Paris on foot north to south in two hours and 15 minutes Paris is highly walkable. You can cross the city from north to south in two hours and fifteen minutes, and from west to east in three hours. The city has 6,100 streets, with Rue des Degrés being the shortest at 5.75 meters long. 19. More than 25 million tourists visit Paris each year; Disneyland Paris attracts half of them Each year, over 25 million tourists visit Paris to experience its landmarks, cuisine, and culture. Disneyland Paris, located east of the city, attracts around 12 million visitors annually. It is the most-visited theme park in Europe, surpassing the Louvre in yearly attendance. Rank Attraction Location Number of Visitors (2022) 1 Disney Park at Disneyland Paris Marne-la-Vallée 9,900,000 2 Louvre Museum Paris 7,700,000 3 Château de Versailles Palace Versailles 6,900,000 4 Eiffel Tower Paris 5,900,000 5 Walt Disney Studios Park at Disneyland Paris Marne-la-Vallée 5,300,000 6 Orsay Museum Paris 3,300,000 7 Pompidou Center Paris 3,000,000 8 National Natural History Museum Paris 2,320,000 9 Cité des Sciences et de l’Industrie Paris 1,993,000 10 Arc de triomphe Paris 1,755,000 11 Sainte-Chapelle Paris 1,202,000 12 Cité Médiévale de Provins Provins 1,200,000 13 Petit Palais – Musée des Beaux-Arts de la Ville de Paris Paris 1,083,000 14 Musée de l’Armée Paris 1,071,072 15 Musée du quai Branly – Jacques Chirac Paris 1,005,000 16 Atelier des Lumières Paris 640,000 Total 47,407,072 20. Paris Syndrome is real, particularly affecting Japanese tourists Paris Syndrome is a temporary psychological condition that affects some tourists, who experience extreme disappointment when the reality of Paris does not meet their expectations. Symptoms can include anxiety, delusions and feelings of depersonalization. Around 20 Japanese tourists experience it each year.