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.
![The façade of the Musée Carnavalet in Paris showcases a blend of Renaissance and classical architecture. Its pale stone exterior features intricate carvings, tall windows, and grand double doors framed by columns.]()
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.
Data from Fortune magazine, accessed 10/24/2024
4. The Mona Lisa was once stolen from The Louvre Museum, and recovered two years later
![Crowds gather in front of the Mona Lisa, Leonardo da Vinci's iconic painting, displayed in a glass case at the Louvre.]()
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.
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.
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.
![At night, the Paris bridge shines with warm streetlights, highlighting its arches. The light reflects on the water,perfect for evening walks.]()
The first electric streetlights in Paris were installed in 1878.
7. Paris has a deep commitment to being green
![A green garden in Montmartre is filled with colorful flowers. In the background, the Basilique du Sacré-Cœur stands proudly, adding to the beauty of the scene.]()
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.
>> 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
![The bakery window is filled with warm, flaky croissants and other French baked goods.]()
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 smiling friends pose on a bridge in Paris with Notre-Dame Cathedral and the Seine River in the background.]()
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 stands tall in the sun under a clear blue sky, its beautiful Gothic details shining brightly.]()
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.
![The streets of Paris glow in the warm sunset, casting a magical light on charming buildings and cobblestone paths.]()
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.
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.
