Discover the City of Lights: Top 13 Fun and Fascinating Facts About Paris!

1. WWII Urinal Spies

While Parisian Perfume topped the charts in the world of fragrances, there was another lesser-known scent in the air that turned the tides of war: Behold the humble open-air urinals of Paris! During World War II, these furtive public lavatories served as clandestine communication spots for the French Resistance who stealthily exchanged valuable information on enemy movements, forever etching the unassuming urinals in the annals of history.
Source => smithsonianmag.com

2. City of the Dead

Feeling a bit bone-lonely? Why not take a trip down to Paris' underground city of the dead: The Paris Catacombs house the remains of around 6 million Parisians, creatively displayed in patterns and sculptures, covering a mile of tunnels open for public admiration.
Source => smithsonianmag.com

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=> Fun Facts about France

3. Lady Liberty's Parisian Siblings

Talk about a sibling rivalry worth commemorating: wouldn't you know it, Lady Liberty has close kin taking up some prime real estate in the City of Love! Hint: they've got her signature headpiece, torch, and a striking family resemblance: Paris is home to several replicas of the Statue of Liberty, including a 37-foot-9-inch tall version on the Île aux Cygnes in the River Seine, a 1/16 scale version sculpted by Frédéric Bartholdi himself at the Musée d'Orsay, and even more scattered around France and the world.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

4. Posh Paris Sewers

Who says plumbing can't be posh? Dive beneath the streets of Paris to discover a world flush with history and sanitation grandeur: The Paris Sewers Museum offers a delightful underground tour delving into two centuries of sewer systems, featuring interactive exhibits, workshops, and scenic views of the Seine for curious connoisseurs of city infrastructure.
Source => musee-egouts.paris.fr

5. First Literary Cafe

Hold onto your baguettes and berets, literature nerds: Le Procope in Paris, established by the Italian pasta prodigy Francesco Procopio dei Coltelli in 1686, stakes its claim as the world's first true literary cafe. This hallowed haunt once played host to writing heavyweights like Voltaire and Denis Diderot, and even American revolutionaries Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin stopped in for a caffeine fix. Le Procope still dishes out delectable French classics to this day, all while sporting some fancy 18th-century threads in its decor.
Source => tripsavvy.com

6. Oldest Public Clock

Time flies, but this clock reigns supreme: The oldest public clock in Paris has been accurately ticking away at the Conciergerie since 1371, commissioned by Charles V, a testament to the French monarchy's penchant for punctuality and clock-making prowess.
Source => sortiraparis.com

7. Fashionable Arrondissements

When Paris was asked, “How do you keep track of all your different districts?” it replied with a nonchalant shrug, “Oh là là, mon ami, we number them and name them, like a fashionable show of couture creations – think Yves Saint Laurent, but with arrondissements”: The 20 districts in Paris, known as arrondissements, each have a unique name and are numbered in a spiral pattern that starts from the city center – quite like a stylish snail's catwalk. On top of this chic twist, they go west to east on the Right Bank and south to north on the Left Bank, adding even more character and élan to the City of Light for visitors to discover.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

8. Louvre's Makeover History

From royal playground to ultimate hide-and-seek arena: The Louvre, once a medieval fortress turned royal residence, has gone through countless makeovers – from Charles V's posh pad to François I's renaissance revamp and Louis XIV's fancy garden addition by André Le Nôtre – before finding its true calling as one of the world's most visited museums during the French Revolution.
Source => pariscityvision.com

9. Multilingual Love Declarations

Paris, the city of love and linguistic gymnastics, offers the one-stop shop for all your love declarations in multiple dialects: The I Love You Wall in the Square des Abbesses, Montmartre boasts 311 "I love you" confessions in a whopping 250 languages, all within a cozy 40m² space, lovingly created by Frédéric Baron and Claire Kito for humanity to swoon over!
Source => en.parisinfo.com

10. Canary Kicking Revolution

If you've ever wondered where rebellious ladies kicked up their heels, shook their frills, and said "oui" to life: The cancan dance, a symbol of women's liberation and emancipation, started in Paris during the 1820s as the chahut at public dances. It was brought into the spotlight by bold Parisian women, particularly Celeste Mogador, and skyrocketed to fame at the Moulin Rouge in 1889. The iconic troupe continues to amaze with their acrobatics, flexibility, and rhythm while dancing to Offenbach's tunes and holds multiple world records, including the most French Cancan rond de jambe kicks in 30 seconds.
Source => moulinrouge.fr

11. Gluten-Free Bakery Bliss

Forget a baker's dozen, try a gluten-free smorgasbord: Chambelland, a famed Parisian bakery, has crafted its entire menu out of gluten-free bread and pastries, alluring those with celiac disease, gluten allergies, and the health-conscious crowd alike. Their secret to success? Organic ingredients such as rice and buckwheat flour, creating a perfect balance between deliciousness and healthfulness! Sign up for their newsletter to be in the dough about recipe ideas and upcoming treats.
Source => chambelland.com

12. Pedal to the Baguette

Forget about pedal to the metal: Paris is all about pedal to the baguette! In the City of Lights, the Vélib' Métropole bike-sharing program boasts nearly 15,000 bicycles across 1,800 stations, delighting almost 200,000 subscribers with an environmentally friendly and très chic way to navigate the picturesque boulevards.
Source => europeforvisitors.com

13. Star-Studded Cemetery

Where Oscar Wilde parties with Jim Morrison and Chopin plays that sweet funeral symphony: Père Lachaise Cemetery is home to many stars, including Wilde, Morrison, and Frédéric Chopin, making it not just a graveyard but a hotspot for cultural aficionados. This illustrious necropolis holds the title of the most visited cemetery in the world, with folks far and wide flocking to witness its elaborate tombs and celebrate the legends who slumber there.
Source => thewholeworldisaplayground.com