facts about tourism in paris

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Tourism in Paris - statistics and facts

What are the leading travel markets in paris, what are the most visited tourist attractions in paris, key insights.

Detailed statistics

Travel and tourism's direct contribution to GDP in Paris 2019-2022

Number of tourist arrivals to Paris and the Île-de-France region 2019-2023, by type

Domestic tourism spending in Paris 2019-2022

Editor’s Picks Current statistics on this topic

Current statistics on this topic.

Museums & Galleries

Number of visitors to the Louvre in Paris 2007-2023

Destinations

International tourism spending in Paris 2019-2022

Travel, Tourism & Hospitality

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Recommended statistics

• Premium Statistic International tourist arrivals in France 2010-2022
• Basic Statistic International tourism spending in France 2019-2022
• Basic Statistic Travel and tourism's direct contribution to GDP in Paris 2019-2022
• Basic Statistic Travel and tourism's direct contribution to employment in Paris 2019-2022
• Basic Statistic Distribution of travel and tourism spending in Paris 2019-2021, by type
• Premium Statistic Passenger traffic at Paris-Charles De Gaulle Airport 2011-2022
• Premium Statistic Number of inbound tourist arrivals in selected European destinations 2019-2022
• Basic Statistic Leading European city tourism destinations 2019-2022, by number of bed nights

International tourist arrivals in France 2010-2022

Number of international tourist arrivals in France from 2010 to 2022 (in millions)

International tourism spending in France 2019-2022

International tourism expenditure in France in 2019 and 2022 (in billion euros)

Travel and tourism's direct contribution to GDP in Paris 2019-2022

Direct contribution of travel and tourism to GDP in Paris, France from 2019 to 2021, with a forecast to 2022 (in billion euros)

Travel and tourism's direct contribution to employment in Paris 2019-2022

Direct contribution of travel and tourism to employment in Paris, France from 2019 to 2021, with a forecast to 2022

Distribution of travel and tourism spending in Paris 2019-2021, by type

Distribution of travel and tourism spending in Paris, France in 2019 and 2021, by type

Passenger traffic at Paris-Charles De Gaulle Airport 2011-2022

Number of passengers at Paris-Charles De Gaulle Airport from 2011 to 2022 (in millions)

Number of inbound tourist arrivals in selected European destinations 2019-2022

Number of international tourist arrivals in selected cities and destinations in Europe from 2019 to 2022 (in millions)

Leading European city tourism destinations 2019-2022, by number of bed nights

Leading city tourism destinations in Europe from 2019 to 2022, by number of bed nights (in millions)

Inbound and domestic tourism

• Premium Statistic Number of tourist arrivals to Paris and the Île-de-France region 2019-2023, by type
• Premium Statistic Inbound tourist arrivals in hotels in Paris 2011-2023
• Premium Statistic Leading inbound tourism markets in Paris and the Île-de-France region 2022
• Basic Statistic International tourism spending in Paris 2019-2022
• Premium Statistic Domestic tourist arrivals in hotels in Paris 2011-2023
• Premium Statistic Leading domestic tourism markets in Paris and the Île-de-France region 2022
• Basic Statistic Domestic tourism spending in Paris 2019-2022

Number of tourist arrivals to Paris and the Île-de-France region in France from 2019 to 2023, by type (in millions)

Inbound tourist arrivals in hotels in Paris 2011-2023

Number of international tourist arrivals in hotels in Paris, France from 2011 to 2023 (in 1,000s)

Leading inbound tourism markets in Paris and the Île-de-France region 2022

Leading international tourism markets in Paris and the Île-de-France region in France 2022, by share of arrivals

International tourism expenditure in Paris, France from 2019 to 2021, with a forecast for 2022 (in billion euros)

Domestic tourist arrivals in hotels in Paris 2011-2023

Number of domestic tourist arrivals in hotels in Paris, France from 2011 to 2023 (in 1,000s)

Leading domestic tourism markets in Paris and the Île-de-France region 2022

Leading domestic tourism markets in Paris and the Île-de-France region in France 2022, by share of arrivals

Domestic tourism expenditure in Paris, France from 2019 to 2021, with a forecast to 2022 (in billion euros)

Accommodation

• Premium Statistic Hotels in France 2024, by region
• Premium Statistic Number of hotels in Paris 2019-2023, by rating
• Premium Statistic Number of hotel rooms in Paris 2019-2023, by rating
• Premium Statistic Hotel overnight stays in Paris 2011-2023
• Premium Statistic Hotel occupancy rate in Paris 2023, by hotel category
• Premium Statistic Average daily rate of hotels in Paris 2023, by hotel category
• Premium Statistic Revenue per available room of hotels in Paris 2023, by hotel category
• Premium Statistic Number of Airbnb listings in Paris 2023, by room type

Hotels in France 2024, by region

Number of hotels in France as of February 2024, by region

Number of hotels in Paris 2019-2023, by rating

Number of hotels in Paris, France from 2019 to 2023, by hotel rating

Number of hotel rooms in Paris 2019-2023, by rating

Number of hotel rooms in Paris, France from 2019 to 2023, by hotel rating

Hotel overnight stays in Paris 2011-2023

Total number of overnight stays in hotels in Paris, France from 2011 to 2023 (in 1,000s)

Hotel occupancy rate in Paris 2023, by hotel category

Occupancy rate of hotels in Paris, France in 2023, by hotel category

Average daily rate of hotels in Paris 2023, by hotel category

Average daily rate (ADR) of hotels in Paris, France in 2023, by hotel category (in euros)

Revenue per available room of hotels in Paris 2023, by hotel category

Revenue per available room (RevPAR) of hotels in Paris, France in 2023, by hotel category (in euros)

Number of Airbnb listings in Paris 2023, by room type

Number of Airbnb listings in Paris, France as of December 2023, by room type

Visitor attractions

• Premium Statistic Most visited museums and cultural attractions in Paris 2019-2022
• Premium Statistic Attendance at museums and monuments in Paris 2023
• Premium Statistic Number of visitors to the Louvre in Paris 2007-2023
• Premium Statistic Number of visitors to the Eiffel Tower in Paris 2011-2023
• Premium Statistic Number of visitors to the Musée d'Orsay in Paris 2007-2022
• Premium Statistic Number of visitors to the Centre Pompidou in Paris 2000-2022
• Premium Statistic Number of visitors to Disneyland Paris theme park in France 2009-2022

Most visited museums and cultural attractions in Paris 2019-2022

Leading museums, monuments, and cultural sites in Paris, France from 2019 to 2022, by number of visitors (in 1,000s)

Attendance at museums and monuments in Paris 2023

Number of visits at selected museums and monuments in Paris, France in 2023 (in 1,000s)

Number of visitors to the Louvre Museum in Paris, France from 2007 to 2023 (in millions)

Number of visitors to the Eiffel Tower in Paris 2011-2023

Number of visitors to the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France from 2011 to 2023 (in millions)

Number of visitors to the Musée d'Orsay in Paris 2007-2022

Number of visitors to the Musée d'Orsay in Paris, France from 2007 to 2022 (in millions)

Number of visitors to the Centre Pompidou in Paris 2000-2022

Number of visitors to the Centre Pompidou in Paris, France from 2000 to 2022 (in millions)

Number of visitors to Disneyland Paris theme park in France 2009-2022

Number of visitors to Disneyland Paris theme park in France from 2009 to 2022 (in million)

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40+ paris travel & tourism statistics (2023).

Ah, Paris, the City of Love … A romantic place that’s also teeming with history.

As the capital city of the world’s most visited country, Paris is home to some of the most iconic landmarks out there, not least the Eiffel Tower .

It attracts 30+ million visitors every year and is set to welcome 33 million people in 2022.

Ever wondered what the most popular attractions in Paris are?

Or how much the average tourist would spend during their visit?

Today, we have some of the latest and most interesting statistics about Paris for you.

From numbers of inbound tourism and its economic impact to tourist demographics and the hotel industry in Paris.

Let’s get started!

Sources : Attached with each stat is the source article or data. For a full list of all the sources used, head to the bottom of the post.

Travellerspoint

Is Paris the most visited city in the world?

In 2021, Paris is the second-most visited city in the world after Bangkok , which welcomed an incredible 22.78 million international visitors compared to Paris’ 19 million.

How many tourists does Paris get every year?

Paris welcomed roughly 38 million visitors in 2019. Despite hitting a rough patch in 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic, it is estimated that 33 million people will visit Paris in 2022.

Is France the most visited country in the world 2022?

Yes, France is the most visited country in the world . It has been attracting the highest number of visitors for 30 years, with 90 million recorded in 2019.

Paris statistics at a glance

• A total of 38 million visitors came to Paris in 2019.
• The top 5 international visitors in Paris are tourists from Belgium (11%), the UK (10%), the US (9%), Netherlands (8%), and Germany (8%).
• In 2018, international visitor spending in Paris was $14.06 billion, an increase from 2017’s $13.05 billion.
• The average tourist in Paris spends €101 per day in Paris .
• 53% of all recorded tourists in Paris in 2021 were women.
• 94% of people who visit Paris say that they are satisfied with their trip, with 78% intending to return within the next 2 years.
• As of January 2021, there are 1,611 hotel establishments in Paris, with three-star hotels being the most common, at almost 700 establishments.
• 1 in every 4 visitors in Paris travel on a business or mixed trip. The other 3 would be leisure travellers.

Inbound tourism in Paris

1. a total of 38 million visitors came to paris in 2019., 2. this number fell to 19 million in 2021, but is expected to recover and hit 33 million in 2022., 3. this made paris, in 2021, the second-most visited city in the world after bangkok., 4. there were 82.5 million overnight stays in paris in 2021, up 25% from 2020 but -58% from 2019..

[Paris Region Tourist]

5. Meanwhile, the number of non-overnight stays in Paris in 2021 was 22.6 billion, 30% more than 2020 and 55% less than 2019.

6. the top 5 international visitors in paris are tourists from belgium (11%), the uk (10%), the us (9%), netherlands (8%), and germany (8%)..

European tourists make up a significant portion of international visitors in Paris, with 10% of all international visitors to Paris coming from the UK.

Meanwhile, the US is only non-European nationality to make the most international visits to Paris, which means long-haul travel is common for American tourists .

7. Paris-Charles De Gaulle Airport, the largest airport in France, welcomed only 26.2 million passengers in 2021, a 65.6% drop from 2019.

Domestic tourism in Paris

How many French tourists visit Paris every year?

8. Out of all French visitors in Paris, 13% are from Hauts-de-France and another 13% are from Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, making these the top two French visitors. Nouvelle-Aquitaine

9. moreover, 10% are from nouvelle-aquitaine, while visitors from grand est and provence-alpes-côte d'azur make up 9% each of all domestic visitors in paris., paris tourism: economic impact.

How much money does tourism bring to Paris?

10. In 2021, tourists spent €8.4 billion in Paris, which is a 39% increase from 2020 but still 62% lower from the pre-pandemic level in 2019.

The Covid-19 pandemic caused tourist spending in Paris to drop by 62% between 2019 and 2021.

11. In 2018, international visitor spending in Paris was $14.06 billion, an increase from 2017’s $13.05 billion.

For both international and domestic visitors, tourism spending in Paris was significantly higher before the Coronavirus pandemic .

12. The average tourist in Paris spends €101 per day.

13. meanwhile, the average stay budget is €370 per person., 14. there are 119 thousand tourism-related companies in paris alone., 15. in 2021, these tourism-related companies in paris employed a total of 511 thousand people, which is around 20% of all travel and tourism jobs in the country..

[Paris Region Tourist & Statista]

This accounts to roughly one-fifth of the 2.5 million travel and tourism jobs in France as a whole.

Demographics of Paris tourism

What is the average visitor of Paris like?

16. 53% of all recorded tourists in Paris in 2021 were women.

In 2021, slightly more than half of all visitors in Paris were women, which reveals an increasing trend in female travel .

17. The average age of a visitor in Paris is 41 years old.

18. 34% of tourists in paris is from a higher socio-professional category., 19. 94% of people who visit paris say that they are satisfied with their trip, with 78% intending to return within the next 2 years., 20. 16% of all tourism trips in paris is made by people who come with families..

Family trips make up 16% of all tourism trips in Paris.

21. For families, visiting theme park is a popular activity as 40% of them visit a theme park during their stay in Paris.

22. 41% of repeat visitors in paris have made more than 10 trips to the city..

Hotels and accommodations in Paris statistics

How many hotels are there in Paris?

23. As of January 2021, there are 1,611 hotel establishments in Paris, with three-star hotels being the most common, at almost 700 establishments.

Out of the 1,611 hotels in Paris , 700 of them has a three-star rating.

24. The majority of tourists in Paris (53%) would stay in a hotel during their visit.

25. the most common method for booking accommodation in paris is through an online travel agency (38%)..

38% of visitors book their accommodation online , 32% book through their direct hosts, while 20% use the services of a travel agency.

26. The total number of nights spent in hotels in Paris fell by 27,000 from 2019 to 2020.

27. hotel occupancy rate in paris hit its lowest point in april 2020, at barely 20%., 28. an average double hotel room in paris costs €146 in august 2021, compared to €194 in may 2020 and the record-low €125 in july 2020..

Tourist activities in Paris

What are the top tourist attractions in Paris?

29. Walking around the city is the most popular thing to do for visitors in Paris, with 66% stating that they have engaged in the activity.

30. visiting museums and monuments comes at a close second at 62% of visitors having done it while in paris., 31. additionally, 37% of visitors also report to enjoy shopping in the city., 32. the most visited site in paris is the eiffel tower (35%)., 33. rounding up the top 5 most visited sites in paris, there are the arc de triomphe, sacré-coeur of montmartre, louvre museum, and notre-dame de paris in order of popularity..

34. The Covid-19 pandemic also affected cultural attractions in Paris. The Louvre Museum welcomed only 2.7 million visitors in 2020, a significant decrease from the usual 10 million visitors per year.

Business tourism in paris.

How many business travelers do Paris get?

35. There were 5.7 million business or mixed trips in Paris in 2021.

In 2021, 5.7 million business trips were made to Paris .

36. 1 in every 4 visitors in Paris travel on a business or mixed trip. The other 3 would be leisure travellers.

37. Out of all business trips taken in Paris, 61% is strictly professional while 39% is a mix of business and leisure.

38. in 2019, paris had the second-highest number of participants at associations meetings globally..

Paris is one of the leading cities hosting MICE events.

39. The average MICE event in 2019 was attended by an average of 851 congress participants.

40. business visitors in paris contribute to 38% of the region’s tourism revenue., 41. in 2020, 160 professional events in paris were postponed, whereas 157 were..

Of course, this is also what influenced the decline in the number of international and domestic visitors in Paris that year.

While the Covid-19 pandemic did slow down tourism in Paris, the industry has already begun to recover as travel picks up worldwide.

We hope these statistics were useful for you, whether you’re planning for a trip to Paris or simply wanting some insights about it.

Do you think we’ve missed anything?

Feel free to comment down below!

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Paris Facts: 41 Fun Facts About Paris That You Probably Didn’t Know

Want to know more things about Paris that you probably didn’t know? Here are the most interesting facts about Paris that will help you learn more about the French capital.

As someone who has called the City of Lights home for several years and explored every hidden gem as a professional travel writer, I can tell you there’s a lot more to Paris than meets the eye.

Did you know, for instance, that Paris receives over 35 million visitors annually according to the latest France tourism data?

Though the French capital receives an impressive number of visitors, not everyone dives deep to learn about all the Paris facts beyond its famous attractions.

Disclaimer:  This post might contain affiliate links. This means we may earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you) should you choose to sign up for a program or make a purchase using one of our links. It’s okay – We love all of the products we recommend anyway, and you will too! Also, that commission helps us keep this awesome free blog up to date! You can read our  full disclosure here  for more details!

So to make sure that you know a bit more about the city, I’ve compiled a list of all the fun facts about Paris — you probably know some but I am sure you’ll find a number of eye-openers you didn’t know about before.

For easy navigation, I am breaking down these Paris facts into categories.

Related posts you should check out:

• Funny Paris puns that will make your followers laugh out loud
• Captivating Paris Instagram captions that will increase engagement
• Best quotes about Paris you’ll love

Before You Go, Here’s How to Plan Your Visit To Paris: Practical Quick Tips

WHERE TO STAY Best Eiffel Tower Views:  Hôtel Le Walt  (9.0) Luxury stay:  Pullman Paris Tour Eiffel  (8.2) Mid-range stay:  Hôtel Eiffel  (8.7) Budget Stay:  People – Paris Bercy  (8.9) Apartment Rental:  Résidence Charles Floquet  (9.1)  

BEST GUIDED TOURS Louvre Museum guided tour : (4.5/5) Seine River Dinner Cruise : (4.7/5) Montmartre Walking Tour : (4.8/5) Le Marais Walking Food Tour : (4.5/5) Versailles Guided Tour : (4.8/5) Eiffel Tower Guided Tour : (4.4/5) 

• Considering travel insurance for your trip? World Nomads offers coverage for more than 150 adventure activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation, and more.
• Prepare your trip extensively with this Paris Travel guidebook .
• Don’t forget a universal travel adapter , a travel neck pouch , and comfortable walking shoes .
• Consider getting either the museum pass or the Paris city pass if you plan to visit many attractions. The city pass comes with free transportation and access to the hop-on-hop-off bus. You can read my Paris museum pass review to see if it’s right for you.
• Book this private transfer from CDG airport to Paris to avoid the hustle of figuring out how to get to Paris.

Psst… Unfortunately, things can and do go wrong when you travel. World Nomads offers coverage for more than 150 activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation, and more. If you’re considering travel insurance for your trip, check out World Nomads .

Fun facts about Paris

Here is some fun information about Paris you probably didn’t know before!

Interesting Facts On Paris

Let’s start with some of the most interesting things about Paris.

1. Paris has 5 statues of Liberty

This might come as a surprising Paris fact to many as the most known one is in New York but Paris also has a number of replicas of Statues of Liberty .

Actually, even the one in New York was gifted to the US by the French — something I am sure not many people knew.

2. Paris has one of the most famous paintings in the world

The Louvre Museum in Paris houses the most prestigious and most famous painting in the world, the Monalisa by Leonardo da Vinci.

Even though the painting is popular, a lot of people are always surprised by how small it is when they see it in real life — it is 77 cm x 53 cm to be exact.

Psst… Louvre is one of the best places to visit in Paris which means that it also comes with long queues. When in the city of love, make sure that you don’t waste time in long lines by buying this timed ticket to the Louvre , or better yet book this guided tour to learn more about this famous place.

Related post: Best day trips from Paris

3. There are 20 arrondissements in the city

Paris is segmented into 20 different arrondissements which can also be referred to as districts.

4. Paris is referred to as the city of light

One of the nicknames for Paris is the City of Light! I am sure almost everyone knows this as one of the facts in Paris. But what most people don’t know is how it assumed this nickname.

A number of people assume that it got its name from the impressive lights that come from the major tourist attractions of Paris at night or the illuminated lights in Paris at Christmas but that’s all incorrect.

Paris is called the city of light because it was one of the first European cities to install streetlights.

This was commissioned by Louis XIV in the 17th century to put more light on the streets as a way of restoring the city’s safety that had deteriorated due to the recently concluded wars.

But up to now, the nickname is so popular making the city even more special. Now that’s one Paris fact that I am sure you didn’t know about.

5. Paris has an underground city

Paris is undeniably a beautiful city but it also has darkness beneath its walls — a full city of darkness commonly known as the Paris underground city. This city is called “The Catacombs”.

Even though today the Catacombs are one of the places to visit in Paris to learn more about the city’s history, it’s still a dark place that holds over 6 million remains of Parisians. You can learn more about it by reading these Paris catacombs facts .

Pro tip* It might be a “dark city” but it’s also a must-visit. So make sure that you don’t miss visiting it and to avoid spending hours in the queue, buy yourself this skip-the-line entry ticket that comes with an audio guide. But if you want to get a deeper understanding of the Catacombs and their history and get access to sections closed off to the public, then book this guided tour with knowledgeable and professional tour guides.

6. The Seine River turns part of Paris into 2 islands

For tourists, especially those visiting Paris for the first time , it’s hard for them to believe that there are 2 remaining natural islands in Paris and that is all thanks to the Seine River.

With the islands of Île de la Cité  which is the biggest and also famous for having the Notre Dame cathedral and île Saint-Louis (all of which are connected by bridges), Paris can proudly say that it also has islands.

Aside from those 2 natural islands, there is also a man-made island called île aux Cygnes . However, those are not the only islands that ever existed on the Seine — some were filled in to join the mainland and some just disappeared.

Pro tip* The best way to take in all the stunning views of Paris is by cruising the Seine. It even gets better when you take the cruise at sunset. You get to enjoy an amazing sunset with a backdrop of some of the buildings and on return, you’ll be treated to the shimmering lights that come from all those popular attractions — It’s such a beautiful scene that should not be missed. And if you’re visiting Paris with your loved one, cruising the Seine is one of the romantic things to do in Paris . And while at it, don’t forget to book this Seine cruise that comes with dinner or this one with a 3-course meal to avoid last-minute Chaos. If you prefer one without dinner, then this is what I recommend . Psst… I always use Get Your Guide for all my tours as they have professional tour guides and I know I can always cancel the ticket if something comes up and I can’t take that tour.

7. The very first “Bloody Mary” was made in Paris

One of the fun facts about Paris is that the famous cocktail, Bloody Mary was first made in the French Capital.

Though there are a number of legends about who truly first created Bloody Mary as a number of people have claimed that honor, what is clear is that this classic cocktail that is enjoyed by a number of people originated from Paris.

8. The tradition of “love locks” did not start in Paris

This might come as a surprise to so many people to learn that the tradition of love locks didn’t actually start in Paris.

However, it’s easy to see why most people might have thought that since Paris is usually associated with love locks compared to any other place in the world.

So if not Paris, where did this tradition start? The tradition of locking padlocks started in a small town in Serbia, as a result of a failed love affair between 2 young lovers (Nada and Relja).

And since the relationship failed due to the infidelity of Relja which broke Nada’s heart, the young women in the town decided to start locking padlocks with their names and those of their lovers on the “bridge of love” and later throw the keys into the river as a sign of a life long commitment without infidelity.

Later on, everyone in the town and Serbia started locking padlocks as a sign of love which then spread all across Europe.

But Paris being the city of love , it became the forefront of locking padlocks on bridges that so many people mistaken it to be the origin of this romantic activity.

You can read more about how this tradition of locking padlocks on bridges was birthed in Serbia here .

9. Paris doesn’t have any “STOP” signs on its roads

Now if you come from a country whose roads are marked with “STOP” on every turn you make, you’re in for one big surprise. It’s one of the facts about Paris, France that blows everyone’s mind who hears about it.

Actually, even the 1 stop sign that ever existed at the exit of a construction company in the 16th arrondissement magically disappeared which makes Paris a “STOP” free city. But Parisians still make it work with other numerous road signs.

10. Paris has 450 parks and gardens

Paris is the heart of picnics and this could be thanks to the 450 parks and gardens spread across the city.

Though there are many parks and gardens in Paris , the most famous ones are the Tuileries Garden and the   Luxembourg Garden.

This means that whichever part of the city you’re in, you can always chill in the park or take your loved ones for a Parisian picnic .

11. It’s free to make videos in Paris

If you think that one has to pay thousands of Euros to record any kind of commercial video in Paris due to its immense beauty, you’ll be surprised. It’s absolutely free.

Well unless you’re going to film at locations like museums, parks, or swimming pools – that’s when you pay.

No wonder so much filming happens in Paris every day — whether it’s movies, commercials, etc. Yes, most of the movies filmed in Paris didn’t pay for filming locations. However, you need authorization from the officials if it’s a big production.

12. Paris is not the largest French-speaking city in the World

This Paris fun fact may come as a surprise to many, but yes, Paris is not the largest French-speaking city in the world! That title belongs to Kinshasa, the capital city of the Democratic Republic Of Congo.

If you’re wondering how possible that is, here is why! Kinshasa has a population of over 12 million who consider French their official language and Paris has a population of around 2 million!

Now that’s one of the facts about the French language I am sure you didn’t know about.

13. Paris is the world capital of Fashion

There is no city in the world that speaks and understands fashion like Paris. No wonder it is referred to as the world fashion capital.

With world-class luxurious fashion brands like Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Givenchy, Balmain, Dior, L’Oreal, etc from France, there is no doubt that Parisian and French designers at large set the tone when it comes to fashion.

Whether it’s French handbag brands , jewelry brands , French lingerie , to haute couture, France has set a tone for the entire world.

Related post: Best Paris hotels with an Eiffel Tower view

14. It costs 200,000 Euros to become a taxi driver in Paris

One of the other interesting facts of Paris France is that it costs 200,000 Euros to be a taxi driver. Now you might be wondering, why and how one pays such a huge amount of money for a job that doesn’t even pay that much a year.

To clarify, the 200,000 Euros are for the taxi license fee that taxi drivers pay to be able to operate as self-employed taxi drivers in the city. Need more clarification? There are 3 ways one can obtain a driving license in Paris;

• For free from the government body. But no one wants to take this route since it has a waiting period of over 14 years. Well, that’s even worse than going to college to be a doctor since it doesn’t take that long LOL.
• According to the French government , you can also rent a license from a rental company but the price you pay depends on how much the rental company wants to charge you!
• Buy the license from a taxi driver who retired or stopped driving for some reason. Now this is where that insane amount of money comes from. There is no set amount to sell it at but rather use the current free market price to get its value. And that market price always floats around 180k to 200k Euros.

Honestly, this has to be a lifelong passion for one to invest all that money in a license. No wonder there are not so many self-employed taxi drivers in Paris compared to other big cities.

Related post: Where to get the best views of the Eiffel Tower

Interesting Paris Facts for Tourists

As a tourist, these Paris France facts will come in handy.

15. Paris has the largest art museum in the world

One of the other Paris interesting facts is that it has the largest art museum in the world — the Louvre Museum . The museum which was constructed in the 12th century sits on an area of 72,735 square meters.

It also houses over 38,000 objects including the world’s famous painting — Mona Lisa and other extraordinary paintings making it one of the best museums in Paris and the world at large.

Also, its location next to the Seine River makes it a prime location perfect for visiting other attractions next to it. You can also check out more facts about the Louvre Museum .

Besides, the Louvre, there are so many other free museums in Paris that you can check out to truly immerse yourself in Paris’ art.

Pro tip* Since the Louvre museum is one of the most visited places in Paris, it gets really crowded in that it can take you up to 2 hours queuing for the ticket. So to avoid the long queues, make sure that you get yourself this skip-the-line ticket before your visit. You can also opt for this guided tour to maximize your visit.

16. You’ll need 200 days to see Everything in the Louvre museum

While still talking about art, it’s also important to know that it would take at least 200 days to see all the artwork in the Louvre .

Actually, this time is not even enough because it would mean staying in front of each object for just 30 seconds and we both know it’s impossible given the beauty of the objects in the Louvre.

17. Paris has the most beautiful Avenue in the world

Though it is an unofficial claim, Avenue des Champs-Elysees is believed to be the most beautiful Avenue in the world.

Dotted with trees on either side of the street, this 2- kilometer stretch located between the Place de la Concorde and the Arc de Triomphe is home to some of the world-class luxurious boutiques, nightclubs, flagship stores, and museums.

On top of that, a number of important events like the Bastille Day military parade, the arrival of the Tour de France, and the most beautiful Christmas lights in Paris take place here.

With all that, it’s hard not to see why the Avenue des Champs-Elysees is believed to be the most beautiful avenue in the world and the prettiest street in Paris .

18. Notre Dame Cathedral is was the most visited attraction in Paris

This might come as a surprising Paris fact since most people imagine that the Eiffel Tower is the most visited landmark in Paris .

To give you proof, the Notre Dame Cathedral received approximately 13 million visitors and the Eiffel Tower received almost 7 million visitors according to 2019 data.

This goes to show that Notre Dame receives almost double the number of people who visit the Eiffel Tower.

Pro tip* Due to the fire that set the roof of the cathedral ablaze, Notre Dame was closed off to visitors as they finish the renovations. This obviously has impacted the number of people that visit the Cathedral but in normal times, the Notre Dame Cathedral is the most visited landmark in Paris while the Eiffel Tower ranks fourth.

19. Paris has 37 bridges

Paris is a city that is well connected with a number of bridges. With 37 bridges in total, you ought to see some.

Some of the most famous and beautiful bridges in Paris that are worth visiting include Pont Alexandre III which is considered to be the most beautiful bridge in the world, (it’s actually my favorite bridge in the city) Pont De Bir-Hakeim which gives stunning views of the Eiffel Tower , Pont Neuf which is the oldest standing bridge in Paris, and Pont Des Arts which is commonly known as the Lovelock bridge.

Related post: Big mistakes to avoid while traveling in Paris

20. It takes 2 hours to walk from the south point to the north point of Paris

Paris is a very walkable city and it’s actually the best way to see all the famous landmarks and the hidden gems of Paris .

The city might be assumed to be theoretically big which is true but it’s not that big compared to other popular cities in Europe.

This means that in just 2 hours, you can walk from the north part to the south part of the city with ease. This makes seeing the city easier especially if you have just 1 day in Paris or even 2 days in Paris .

21. Paris has 6,100 streets

One of the other fun Paris facts is that the city has a total of 6,100 streets! Of course, they’re all not made equally!

Some are short and others long with the shortest being Rue des Degrés in the 2nd arrondissement at just 5.75 meters while the longest is Rue Vaugirard in the 15th arrondissement at 4.3 km (2.6 miles).

Of course, as a tourist, you can’t see all of them but there are some prettiest streets in Paris that are worth checking out.

22. Paris Has The Only Disneyland in Europe

One of the cool facts about Paris is that it is home to the only Disneyland in Europe, technically located outside the city bounds! Just 32 km east of Paris.

If you plan to visit the happiest place in France, then you can check out my articles on the best Disneyland Paris rides , the best restaurants at Disneyland Paris , and practical tips for visiting Disneyland Paris .

Also, make sure that you buy your entry ticket in advance to avoid wasting time in the long lines.

23. A Visit to The City Can Cause The Paris Syndrome

Various movies set in Paris have done a good (or bad job depending on how you look at it) of showing Paris as all romance, beauty, and nothing more!

This means that some people travel to Paris expecting to experience just that and not the “bad” or “ordinary” side of it and when they’re faced with a different reality compared to what they had envisioned or even romanticized about, they suffer from some kind of shock, disappointment, and often feel underwhelmed.

This became such a huge issue that this experience got a name — the Paris Syndrome ! Though any tourist from any country can suffer from it, it is usually experienced by travelers from Japan.

24. The Most Visited Cemetery in the World Can Be Found in Paris

It’s not every day that a cemetery is considered a tourist attraction, but in Paris, the cemetery of Père-Lachaise is!

On average, it receives about 3.5 million visitors a year making it the most visited necropolis in the world.

This is thanks to it being the final resting place of some notable people like Édith Piaf, Marcel Proust, Oscar Wilde, Jim Morrison, and more, and the visually detailed gravestones.

Eiffel Tower Interesting Facts

These Eiffel Tower facts will give you a more detailed understanding of the Iron Lady.

25. The Eiffel Tower was initially a temporary structure

Despite the Eiffel Tower being the icon of France and one of the major landmarks in Europe , it wasn’t always like this. In fact, no one anticipated that it would be one of the most visited attractions in the country and in the world.

It was initially constructed to last for just 20 years and later destroyed but after seeing how many people embraced it and how many people traveled from afar just to see it, that forever changed the history of Paris and France in general.

And now, it’s the international symbol for France and a bucket list item for a number of travelers.

Pro tip* While visiting Paris, the one thing you should not miss is visiting the Eiffel Tower. Climbing the tower offers breathtaking Paris views . But since it’s a famous Parisian landmark, you’re guaranteed to find long lines — so the best way to skip those long queues is to buy this online skip-the-line entry ticket with access to the summit . And if you prefer having a guided tour to learn more about the Iron Lady, then this guided tour is exactly what I took and the guide was so friendly on top of being very knowledgeable.

26. The Eiffel Tower was considered ugly at one point

Forget the current times when millions of people flock to see the beauty of the tower plus the millions that dream of visiting it at one point in life, this wasn’t the case at the time of its construction.

When Gustave Eiffel (the man who constructed the tower and named after him) presented his proposal to build the tower, many influential people at the time opposed him claiming that they were going to destroy the untouched beauty of Paris with a “useless piece of metal” that would overshadow meaningful landmarks like Notre Dame, Louvre museum and Arch de Triomphe.

Actually, the famous writer, Guy de Maupassant thought it was too ugly for his eyes that he ate his lunch right below the tower as it was the only place his eyes couldn’t see it while in the city.

But in the present day, it is one of the most beautiful landmarks in France and the entire world as a whole.

27. It’s illegal to distribute images of the Eiffel Tower at night

I am sure this is one of the facts on Paris France that most people overlook. It is considered illegal to distribute these photos because the 200,000 lights that illuminate at night are considered a work of art that is copyrighted by the artists.

So try not to clash with French law by not distributing night photos of the Eiffel Tower even if they’re taken by you.

And when I say distribute, I don’t mean posting those photos on your social media — that is totally legal. But what is illegal is printing those photos and selling them.

Related post: The ultimate guide to visiting the Eiffel Tower

28. The Eiffel Tower is the most valuable icon in Europe

The tower is the most valuable landmark in Europe . It is estimated to be worth 435 billion Euros. 

29. There are 1,665 steps from the base to the Top of the Eiffel Tower

To reach the top of the Eiffel Tower, you’d need to climb 1665 steps! Don’t worry though as you won’t have to climb all of them since the stairs from the second to the third floor are not open to the public.

In reality, you can climb 674 stairs from the esplanade to the second floor which takes around 30-45 minutes depending on your fitness level. You’ll be able to enjoy stunning views from the Eiffel Tower when you reach the top.

You can learn more about the Iron Lady by reading these fun Eiffel Tower facts .

Paris history facts

Here are some Paris history facts you may not have known.

30. The first photo of a person ever taken was in Paris

The said first photograph of a human person was taken by Louis Daguerre in 1838 at the Boulevard du Temple Street. And thanks to him and Paris, photography has become a big deal all across the world.

31. The oldest standing bridge in Paris is called the New Bridge (The Pont Neuf)

It might come as a surprise but it’s actually a Paris fact. By the time Pont Neuf was constructed, there were a number of old bridges and it was the newest, hence the name “New Bridge”.

But as time went on, the “old bridges” all collapsed and they had to construct new ones which meant that the “New bridge” was no longer the newest but its name couldn’t be taken away.

So as of now, it’s the oldest standing bridge in Paris even if the name says “New”.

32. Paris was originally a Roman City called “Lutetia”

Having conquered the city of Parisii in 52 BC, the Romans who had been trading along the river, changed the name from Parissi to Lutetia. This and many others are some of the interesting nicknames for Paris .

33. You Can Still Find Roman Ruins in Paris

To add to the above Paris fact, you should know that there are still some Roman Ruins in Paris with the most prominent being an amphitheater, Arènes de Lutèce in the Latin Quarter .

Related post: How to spend a weekend in Paris

34. The French people were the first to use the camouflaged army uniform

If you were wondering where the entire world got the idea of the camouflaged army uniform, now you know.

With the creative minds of Parisians and the French people in general in terms of fashion, it’s not surprising that they came up with this idea that the whole world embraced.

35. Notre Dame is considered Paris’ Point Zero

What this means is that all distances in Paris are measured from Notre Dame! Just like how all “roads lead to Rome”, in Paris, they all lead to Notre Dame Cathedral.

If you visit the area, you’ll be able to see a small compass in the concrete in front of the church. Being point zero, this makes this spot the exact center of Paris.

And just like everything else in Paris, this comes with traditions where people put coins and hope that their wishes will come true or couples kissing next to it and hope for eternal love.

36. It was once illegal for women in Paris to wear pants

One of the shocking facts about Paris is that women were not allowed to wear pants in Public up until 2012.

A law that was enacted in 1800 banned all women from wearing “Men’s clothes” and anyone who wanted to do so had to get permission from the Police.

However, even with the law present, women did wear pants with no consequences but it was only in 2012 that the law was removed due to the efforts of then Minister of Women’s Rights, Najat Vallaud-Belkacem who said that the law could no longer match up with the modern-day values.

37. Paris is the Birth Place of Cabaret

The tradition of Cabaret has been part of Paris for a long time! It is believed to have started in Le Chat Noir in Montmartre in 1881.

At that time, it used to be a show of amateurs singing, doing poetry, or plays and comic shows in a nightclub while patrons enjoyed drinks.

It became popular and it started spreading, and the famous Moulin Rouge also caught up in 1889. Today, there are a number of cabarets in Paris but the most popular is still Moulin Rouge, especially among tourists.

The shows at Moulin Rouge are incredibly fun with perfectly dressed and talented dancers putting on an electric show. If you want to watch one, you can book our spot here as tickets sell out fast.

Fun Facts about Paris for Kids

These Paris facts are what most kids will want to learn.

38. Paris is the capital city of France

It is also the largest city in the country. Paris became the capital of France in 987 A.D

39. Tree counting is an official job in Paris

Well for that lucky or unlucky person- depending on how you’re looking at it, the government pays him/her to count all the trees in Paris.

The current official standing is at 484,000 trees with more to be planted in the coming years! This makes Paris one of the most treed cities in Europe.

40. Paris is one of the oldest cities in Europe

Having been established in 987 A.D., Paris ranks as one of the oldest cities in Europe. It’s actually older than a number of countries around the world.

41. Paris’ Subway system is the second busiest in Europe

Paris’ subway system known as the Paris Metro is the second busiest in Europe just after the Moscow Metro serving 5.23 million passengers every single day. It also ranks 4th in the world.

Final Thoughts on the interesting facts about Paris, France

There you have it, folks. I hope you learned something from these Paris fun facts as I had so much fun and learned a lot while putting together these interesting facts about Paris.

Do you know of any other facts on Paris that I may not have included here, don’t hesitate to leave them in the comment section and I will add them to my list.

NEVER TRAVEL TO PARIS WITHOUT TRAVEL INSURANCE One of the biggest mistakes you’ll ever make when planning a trip to Paris is to forego Travel Insurance ! You might think that it’s expensive, but when you think of how much it will save you when you lose your valuables or even get sick, then you’ll know that it’s NOT that expensive! Unfortunately, things can and do go wrong when you travel. World Nomads offers coverage for more than 150 activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation, and more. If you’re considering travel insurance for your trip, check out World Nomads .

More posts to inspire you to travel to Paris

• Best things to do in Paris
• Incredible beaches near Paris
• How to spend a weekend in Paris
• Best weekend getaways from Paris
• Best Paris hotels with Eiffel Tower view
• Where to find the best views of Paris
• Cute cities near Paris
• What to wear in Paris in spring
• Best places to take photos of the Eiffel Tower

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Esther is the face and voice behind Dreams in Paris! She has always been obsessed with Paris even before she moved there. She has lived in Paris for a couple of years, and that obsession has not changed! That love for Paris, plus her passion for writing led to the birth of Dreams in Paris! She now shares all the practical tips and guides she’s picked along the way to help you plan a memorable trip to the city of love! You can learn more about her here !

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The Good Life France

Everything You Want to Know About France and More...

A to Z of Paris | 26 fascinating facts about Paris

Paris is special. For many reasons. Its architecture spanning centuries. Cafés spilling out on to the street where you can watch the world go by. The food, culture and wine. A rich history and a plethora of museums and art galleries. Fabulous shops. Gorgeous parks. And so much more.

The unique charm of Paris is based upon its savoir-vivre, that je ne sais quoi. The indescribable, yet completely recognizable, way of life which has become embedded in our subconscious. To “think Paris”, as the writer Paul Valéry noted, is to know the true insider history of what makes this city a mélange of mortar and myth.

Arrondissement

In 1795 Paris was originally divided into 12 arrondissements (municipal districts). 1-9 on the Right Bank and 10-12 on the Left Bank. During the reconstruction of Paris in 1859 by Napoléon III and Baron Haussmann, eight more districts were added. The city’s map was redrawn in the form of a snail’s shell. It began with the 1st arrondissement at the Île de la Cité and ended with the 20th at its eastern boundary.

A bistro, or bistrot in its original Parisian incarnation, is a small restaurant serving moderately priced simple meals in a modest setting. Bistros are defined mostly by the foods and wines they serve. French home-style cooking is typical. A bistro has different menus for lunch and dinner. No one knows the definitive origin of this word, but the most popular version is that the term originated during the Russian Occupation of Paris in 1814. The brasserie (brewery), is a type of restaurant that evolved in Alsace, the leading French brewing region.

Champs-Élysées

Elysian Fields in French, the final resting place of the Gods in Greek mythology. The entire area encompassing the Champs-Élysées was originally fields. In 1616, Marie de Medici, wife of King Henry IV, cleared most of the fields to extend the garden of the Palais des Tuileries. However in 1716, Guillaume de L’Isle’s map of Paris (the French cartographer known for his accurate maps of Europe and the newly explored Americas) still showed a short stretch of roads. Fields, and market garden plots separated the grand axes of the Tuileries gardens from the planted avenue that was originally known as the Avenue des Tuileries. But in 1724, the Tuileries garden axis and the avenue were connected. They led beyond the Place de l’Etoile (renamed Place Charles de Gaulle). The Palais du Louvre, then situated in open farmland (now the Place de la Concorde) flanked it on both sides.

Place Dauphine

The Place Dauphine is a public square located near the western end of the Île de la Cité in the first arrondissement of Paris. It was created by King Henry IV in 1607. It was the second of his projects for public squares in Paris, the first being the Place Royale (now the Place des Vosges ). He named it for his son, the Dauphin of France and future Louis XIII, born in 1601. The square, actually triangular in shape, can be accessed via Pont Neuf. Despite its name (New Bridge), it’s the oldest bridge in Paris and connects the left and right banks of the Seine by passing over the Île de la Cité.

Eiffel Tower

What would Paris be like without the iconic Tour Eiffel ? It was never supposed to stay on the Champ de Mars. Gustave Eiffel designed the tower as a temporary construction for the 1889 Universal Exposition. It took two years, two months and five days to build. The tower has 18,038 metal parts: 2,500,000 rivets, and 7,300 tons of iron, and is covered by 60 tons of paint.

Flying Buttresses

One of the greatest innovations of the Gothic era was the “flying buttress” system of structural support as seen on the cathedral, Notre Dame de Paris . This system allowed stone masons to erect soaring cathedrals with massive interior spaces, while allowing interior walls to exhibit massive stained glass windows.

Hector Guimard

His Art Nouveau entrances for the Métro (the brand new Parisian means of transport that was put in service for the 1900 World’s Fair) have become emblems of Paris. Violently criticized by his contemporaries who found his style too busy, Hector Guimard nevertheless created 141 metro entrances of which 86 still exist. They are now protected as monuments historiques, Édicule Guimard, by National Heritage of France.

Baron Haussmann

Everything we love and hold dear about the City of Light today we owe to the singular brilliance of Baron Georges-Eugène Haussmann (1809-1891). Working in collaboration with Napoleon III, he was the city’s innovative and daring planner. He gave us the Gare de Lyon, Gare du Nord, Gare de l’Est, Les Halles, Hötel Dieu Hospital. The Paris Opéra, the Fountain and Place Saint-Michel. The Rue de Rivoli, boulevards Raspail, Haussman, Saint-Germain, Voltaire and countless others. Avenues des Gobelins, Mouffetard, Soufflot, Malesherbes, Victor Hugo, Kleber and Georges V. The Bois de Boulogne, Bois de Vincennes, Parc des Buttes Chaumont, Parc Montsouris, Parc Monceau and Jardin du Luxembourg. The Grande Hôtel du Louvre, the “modern” Champs-Elysées, and Père Lachaise Cemetery, where he was buried in 1891.

Impressionism

Jean Jaurès

Jean Jaurès (1859-1914) was one of the founding members and leaders of the French Socialist Party. This was the forerunner to today’s Socialist Party. He also founded the socialist paper L’Humanité, still going today. He is remembered for his anti-militaristic attempts to avert the outbreak of the First World War and was killed for it. Although Jaurès is unknown outside of France, a glance at any map of any French village or city reveals the extent of his impact on the country. There are thousands of streets, schools, metro stations and public squares named after him. Perhaps only former president Charles de Gaulle has more French real estate dedicated to his memory. But his legacy extends further than place names. The biggest testament to Jaurès impact on French society is that, even today, his memory is still invoked by politicians from the far-left to the far-right.

A képi is a cylindrical cap worn as formal head wear by soldiers and gendarmes in France. The képi has become one of the classic symbols of France.

The French Celts (Parisii) originally called the capital of their fishing village on an island in the river Sequanii, Lucotecia, “the place where water shines”. When Julius Caesar conquered France in 52 BC, he changed the name of the capital to Lutetia (Lutèce in French) from the word lutum meaning “mud” or “swamp”. He also changed the name of the river Sequanii (the Celtic water goddess) to Sequana that eventually translated into the river Seine. It derives its name from the small village Source-Seine, 19 miles to the northwest of Dijon.

Moulin Rouge

The Moulin Rouge, the red mill, is a cabaret near Montmartre in the Pigalle district, co-founded in 1889 by Charles Zidler and Joseph Oller. The original mill, which burned down in 1915, was instantly recognizable amidst the other buildings in the neighborhood. A windmill with large rotating vanes painted entirely in red was decorated with the figures of a miller and his wife, who appeared to exchange knowing glances. The interior decor embodied all the glamour and decadence of the Belle Epoque (1871-1914) period. The Moulin Rouge was the birthplace of the enthusiastic Can Can dance. It was originally introduced as a seductive dance by the courtesans who operated from the mill. Can Can revue was a form of cabaret entertainment uniquely all its own.

The Cathedral of Notre-Dame de Paris, a masterpiece of Gothic architecture, is the most visited monument in France. It was built in the Middle Ages, at the far end of the Île de la Cité. Work started in the 13th century and finished in the 15th century. Notre Dame was badly damaged during the French Revolution, but the cathedral, as is stands today, was restored in the 19th century by the architect Viollet-le-Duc, some 855 years old. Its many visitors come to admire its stained glass and rose windows, towers, steeple, and gargoyles.

Place de la Concorde is one of the most well known traffic junctions in the world. The ancient Egyptian Luxor Obelisk, measuring 22.5 meters in height and weighing an estimated 227 tons sits in the center. It arrived in France on May 10, 1833 during the reign of King Louis-Philippe I. The obelisk and its pair, which still stands in front of the first pylon of the temple in Luxor, were the largest obelisks to have been erected by Ramses II. Its pedestal was given to the Louvre. You can see it there on display in the Egyptian galleries. It was thought to be too risqué for public consumption. Baboons are depicted standing on their hind legs, their arms raised, their genitals clearly visible. In return, King Louis Philippe gave Egypt a large clock. That is still in place in the clock tower of the Citadel of Cairo.

The Panthéon, located in the 5th arrondissement, was originally built as a church dedicated to Ste. Genevieve. It now functions primarily as a mausoleum for famous French heroes. It is an early example of Neoclassicism realized by the architect Jacques-Germain Soufflot. It’s facade is modeled after the Pantheon in Rome. The large crypt, covering the whole surface of the building accommodates the vaults of some of the most famous French people. Voltaire, Rousseau, Victor Hugo, Émile Zola, Jean Moulin, Madame Curie, Louis Braille, Jean Jaurès, Soufflot, and most recently, Simone Veil.

Quasimodo was the main protagonist of the 1831 Victor Hugo novel The Hunchback of Notre Dame. Hugo began writing largely to make his contemporaries more aware of the value of Gothic architecture. In this day it was often neglected, destroyed or replaced by new buildings. For instance, the medieval stained glass panels of Notre Dame had been replaced by white glass to let more light into the church. Until recently The Hunchback of Notre Dame was believed to be completely fictional. But in 2010 academics uncovered references to a “humpbacked” carver in the memoirs of Henry Sibson, a 19th century British sculptor working at the cathedral around the time the book was written. The documents were found during a house clearance in Penzance, Cornwall. They are now part of the Tate Museum archive.

Jardins Renoir

Within walking distance from the Place du Tertre in Montmartre there are gardens dedicated to the painter Auguste Renoir. They surround the Museum of Montmartre, the oldest building in the district. The gardens are named in memory of Renoir who lived there between 1875 and 1877. He painted several of his masterpieces there, including le Bal du Moulin de la Galette. Often overlooked, the Renoir Gardens offer beautiful views of the Clos Montmartre vineyard and surroundings. Built in the 17th century, the Museum of Montmartre, then known as the Bel Air House, served as a residence and meeting place for many artists including Auguste Renoir, Suzanne Valadon and Raoul Dufy.

Shakespeare & Company

This legendary bookshop was first owned by Sylvia Beach, an American book seller and publisher. This rags to literary riches bookstore was home to the Lost Generation of writers and artists who were searching to find their way out of the horrors of World War II. Many like F. Scott Fitzgerald, Ernest Hemingway and James Joyce found refuge in the store. Shakespeare & Company closed during the Second World War. It was reopened by George Whitman in 1951 under a different name. He subsequently re-named it Shakespeare & Company in 1964 after Beach’s death. Under George Whitman, the shop welcomed a new generation of writers. Allen Ginsberg, Henry Miller, Anaïs Nin, Ray Bradbury, and William S. Burroughs among them. When his only daughter was born in 1981, he named her Sylvia Beach Whitman. By this time the bookstore was a celebrated center of English literature.

À la Civette, the oldest Tabac, short for tobacconists (makers and purveyors of cigars and cigarettes), opened its doors in 1716. It has been at 157 rue Saint-Honoré for 140 years, just across from the Louvre Museum and the Palais Royale. In France, tobacco products can be sold only in certain bars. There are more than 34,000 tabacs. They are protected and licensed by the state. You can spot them by a distinctive elongated diamond sign. Tabacs can also sell newspapers, magazines, gifts, telephone cards and postage stamps. À La Civette had many famous 18th customers including Ben jamin Franklin, Voltaire, Denis Diderot and Jean-Jacques Rousseau.

Exposition Universelle

The original 19th century Exposition Universelle, or Paris World’s Fair, showcased the best and latest innovations in agriculture, industry and art. In 2025, a new fair called ExpoFrance will open its doors. At the heart of the exposition will be a giant globe, 127 meters in diameter (1/100,000th of the Earth). This “innovative center” will be composed of both glass and interactive screens on which the cultures of the world will be presented in virtual reality. ExpoFrance will be financed without public funds, like the World Fair of 1889 that saw the creation of the Eiffel Tower.

Louis Vuitton

In the world of fashion brands, Louis Vuitton handbags and accessories are the pinnacle of luxury, recognizable everywhere in the world. His son Georges created the famous LV design of alternating, entwined initials, diamond points, stars and quatrefoil flowers, called Damier (checkerboard in French). This is the earliest example of fashion branding. The patent of the monogram on canvas was originally filed in 1905 in an attempt to stop counterfeiting.

Avenue du Président Wilson

Most major cities in France have a Place or Avenue du Président Wilson. It commemorates the key role that Woodrow Wilson, the 28th President of the United States played at the Paris Peace Conference that formally ended the First World War. After the war, in which approximately 117,000 American soldiers died, Wilson promoted the idea of a League of Nations. An international organization for resolving conflicts between nations. The plan emphasized intervention over isolation, and introduced the idea of a multi-national peace organization. The League of Nations failed, but it was the precursor to the United Nations.

St. Francis Xavier

Saint-François-Xavier Church (or Saint-François-Xavier-des-Missions-Etrangères in full) is located in the affluent 7th district, a stone’s throw from the Hôtel des Invalides. It is dedicated to Francis Xavier of Basque origin, one of the founders of the Jesuit Order. The church was completed in 1873. Over the years it’s gathered a wealth of religious art objects, including The Last Supper by Tintoretto. But what makes Saint-François-Xavier Church so special is that it houses the shrine containing the preserved body of Sainte Madeleine-Sophie Barat. From 1806 to her death in 1865, she worked tirelessly to help educate young girls. As a result, several girl schools were founded during the reign of Napoleon III. She is considered one of the earliest feminists in French history.

The département of Yvelines is part of greater Paris’ Île de France region. Its capital, Versailles, flourished around Louis XIV’s château. Versailles was the French capital for more than a century under the Ancien Régime. Then again between 1871 and 1879 during the early years of the Third Republic. The eastern part of the department, as well as its northern part along the Seine, is part of the Paris metropolitan area. But the rest of the department is rural, much of it covered by the Forest of Rambouillet. Castles from the 17th and 18th century include Chateau des Voisins, and Chateau de Louveciennes. There’s also Chateau du Pont, Chateau du Parc, Chateau des Sources, and Chateau Saint-Germain-en-Laye.

There are several museums located in this rich department including the Museum of National Antiques, Museum of River and Canal Craft, Horse-drawn Coach Museum, Toy Museum, Sheep Museum, and Cloth Museum of Jouy. Many writers’ and artists’ had homes there.  André Derain’s house, Émile Zola’s house, Maurice Ravel’s house/museum, Alexandre Dumas père’s Château de Monte-Cristo can all be visited. And there are many fabulous gardens including the Marly Estate of Marly-le-Roi and the King’s Vegetable Garden at Versailles.

Émile Zola was a French novelist, critic, journalist, playwright and political activist prominent during the late 19th century. He was a major figure in the political liberalization of France. He also played a major part in what is known as the Drefus affair. Alfred Dreyfus was a French Jewish artillery officer. His trial and conviction in 1894 on charges of treason became one of the most tense political dramas in French history. The incident eventually ended with Dreyfus’s complete exoneration, aided by Zola’s fierce struggle against anti-Semitism. Many of his books features Paris, including one called “Paris”.

Sue Aran runs French Country Adventures which specialises in unique and truly fabulous tours that take you to the heart of Gascony, the Pays Basque, the Tarn and beyond…

Enjoy our “How to be a Parisian in less than one hour” podcast !

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About Paris

• Facts about Paris

Planning Your Trip

• Travel to Paris
• Accommodation
• City Transport
• Embassies & Visas
• Safety & Emergencies
• Ile de la Cite & Ile St Louis
• Châtelet-Les Halles
• Latin Quarter
• Champs Elysées
• St Germain des Pres
• Montparnasse
• Bastille & Oberkampf

Paris Attractions

• La Tour Eiffel
• Arc de Triomphe
• Centre Pompidou
• Musee d'Orsay
• Basilique du Sacre Coeur
• Catacombes de Paris
• Hotel Invalides

Out & About in Paris

• Restaurants
• Museums & Art
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Parisian Culture

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All that you need to know about Paris

The most visited tourist destination in the world, with over 45 million visitors annually, it is very easy to arrive in Paris with huge expectations: of grand vistas, of budding writers in every cafe, of romance on the Seine and rude waiters.

It is easy to see in Paris the city of love, or the city of lights. But it is also important to see in it the city that has seen 4 revolutions (to date), 18 kings named Louis and at least 2 occupying forces. Learn all about Paris with our helpful travel guide.

And this is not even all there is to know about Paris . Outside of the well beaten path of the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame , there are 20 arrondissements to explore, each with their own character and version of Parisian life.

The Paris Inside Paris

The estimated 2.2 million inhabitants of Paris are all very proud to be Parisian, and so they should be. Which city has been more romanticized in literature and film? In fact there are 65 films (and counting) that star the Eiffel Tower as a significant feature. And that's just a small fraction of the number of films that merely feature the Eiffel Tower either as a symbol of French or European lifestyle or as an example of something beautiful.

Despite its long, and often blood splattered history , Paris still retains the title of the most romantic city in the world. With the majestic sweeping boulevards and the regal architecture, it is hard not to be enchanted and seduced by this mysterious, copacetic city.

An International Melting Pot

Of Paris' 2-million-strong population, around 20% are immigrants from all over the world making Paris one of the biggest multi-cultural centers in Europe. This meeting of cultures and cuisines means that Paris is always on (or at least near) the cutting edge in the worlds of food, art, music and fashion.

Each neighborhood, or arrondissement, has its own story to tell about Paris . From the historical academia of the 5th arrondissement to the stylish and creative 6th and 7th; the monied, sleepy atmosphere of the 16th contrasted with the clash of cultures in the 18th, 19th and 20th arrondissements. Residents are frequently assessed, on first meeting at least, by their postcode, and as a consequence often develop a fierce sense of local pride. In our Paris guide you can read about each area of Paris and decide where you want to go.

A Paris Guide: the French Capital Inside and Out

If you are looking for international cuisine , innovative fashion, classical art or historical architecture, this city will deliver. A day appreciating classical art in the Louvre can be finished off listening to a underground band in the heart of the student scene in Oberkampf or the romantic atmosphere of the Eiffel Tower can be contrasted by a visit to the Catacombes to explore the city's bloody past.

Our Paris guide will let you in on all the secrets you need to know about the city.

As the capital of France, Paris' transport system is clean, efficient and most importantly cheap. Other parts of the country are accessible from Paris in only a few hours, which makes for a large choice of day trips should you feel the need to escape the city. The Palais de Versailles and the Loire Valley are a must-see to truly understand Paris' decadent past whilst Disneyland Paris will entertain adults and children alike.

A week, a month, a year isn't long enough to uncover all of Paris' treasures and you could spend a lifetime trying to pinpoint the subtle differences between the Right and Left Bank. But it would be a lifetime well spent. This city is populated by people, architecture, restaurants and nightlife that will seduce you and make you never want to leave.

On all levels – historical, architectural, and cultural – there is something about Paris that will fascinate you.

The most famous sights such as impressionist mecca Mont Martre and Montparnasse as well as the equally enchanting but underground Les Marais and Invalides.

The weather in Paris can be unpredictable though. For a few reasons most people will say that the spring (April through June) or fall (September through November) are the best times to visit. In general the weather in paris isn’t too extreme in either direction (too cold or too hot), and prices on things like airfare and hotels aren’t at their peak.

Most international flights land and leave from Charles de Gaulle airport, which is situated 30km (19 miles) north-east of Paris. The two cheapest and fastest ways to get into the city from Paris CDG are by RER and by bus. The RER train from Roissy-CDG to Paris leaves from the train station in Terminal 2.

Traveling on Metro

The Paris metro is without a doubt the fastest and cheapest way of getting around the city, even if it might not be the cleanest.The Paris metro network connects at several points in Paris with the RER, the commuter trains that go from the city center to the suburbs.

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31 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Paris

Written by Lisa Alexander Updated Mar 21, 2024 We may earn a commission from affiliate links ( )

Whether sunshine is sparkling on the café terraces of Boulevard Saint-Germain, or melancholy mists of the Seine River are shrouding Notre-Dame Cathedral, Paris has a way of romancing visitors. The love affair might begin with a first glimpse of the Eiffel Tower, then continue with strolls along the wide tree-lined avenues and in lavish formal gardens.

The city is seductively beautiful. Each neighborhood ( quartier ) reveals its unique personality. The Latin Quarter is a small cluster of pedestrian streets and narrow medieval alleyways where bookshops vie for space with university students' cafés and eateries. The fashionable Champs-Élysées buzzes with energy. Outside the city center, Montmartre still feels like a country village and flaunts its bohemian past.

After seeing the museums and monuments, you will want to seek out the small surprises, like family-run bistros with handwritten menus; cobblestone lanes full of quaint shops; secluded squares adorned with flowing fountains; and elegant tea salons, where dainty jewel-like desserts beckon from glass-covered pastry cases.

In every hidden corner and at all the famous sites, Paris casts a spell of enchantment. One visit may inspire a lifelong passion.

Discover what makes the City of Light so captivating and learn about the best places to explore with our list of the top tourist attractions in Paris.

See also: Where to Stay in Paris

1. Eiffel Tower

2. musée du louvre, 3. avenue des champs-élysées, 4. musée d'orsay, 5. palais garnier, opéra national de paris, 6. cathédrale notre-dame de paris, 7. place de la concorde, 8. arc de triomphe, 9. hôtel de la marine, 10. jardin des tuileries, 11. seine river cruises, 12. musical concerts at sainte-chapelle, 13. bustling boulevards and legendary cafés, 14. jardin du luxembourg, 15. sacré-coeur and quartier montmartre, 16. panthéon, 17. place des vosges, 18. musée rodin, 19. place vendôme, 20. centre pompidou, 21. hôtel national des invalides, 22. domaine national du palais-royal, 23. place de la bastille, 24. place du châtelet and tour saint-jacques, 25. la conciergerie, 26. fondation louis vuitton, 27. parc de la villette, 28. paris plages, 29. cimetière du père lachaise, 30. parc des buttes-chaumont, 31. grande arche de la défense, where to stay in paris for sightseeing, tips and tours: how to make the most of your visit to paris, best time to visit paris, france.

The Eiffel Tower (la Tour Eiffel) ranks high on the list of places to visit in France and is one of the most-visited tourist attractions in the world. So it's hard to believe that the structure was originally dismissed as a monstrosity. The innovative metal structure shocked Victorian-era audiences when it was unveiled by Alexandre-Gustave Eiffel for the Paris Exhibition of 1889 .

Whether loved or hated, the Eiffel Tower has always impressed. Reaching a height of 324 meters, the tower is comprised of 18,000 sturdy iron sections held together by 2.5 million rivets. Although no longer the world's tallest building, the Eiffel Tower has achieved the status of an icon.

For first-time visitors, seeing the Eiffel Tower is an unforgettable experience. Upon arrival at the esplanade, the sight of the four massive pillars that support this 10,100-ton monument leaves many awestruck.

Author's Tip : Purchase your tickets to the Eiffel Tower in advance online. You first choose a specific date and during the online process, you will reserve a specific time slot for the visit. (You must arrive on time.) Tickets sell out during high season (July and August), so you should purchase your tickets as far in advance as possible.

When you arrive at the Eiffel Tower, you will first walk through the esplanade gardens. Then you will look for the correct queue (which will be labeled "Visitors with tickets"). The recently renovated gardens feature leafy trees and pedestrian pathways with close-up views of the Iron Lady.

To arrive at the Eiffel Tower's 1st floor (at 57 meters) requires an elevator ride or a walk up the 360 steps. This level has public restrooms, a gift shop, a cafeteria, a brasserie restaurant, and an open-air terrace space for admiring the views.

The 2nd floor (at 125 meters) of the Eiffel Tower is reached from the 1st floor by a staircase of 344 more steps or an elevator ride. This level has similar amenities as the 1st floor, except the viewing platforms offer a perspective onto more of the Paris monuments (such as the Notre-Dame, the Louvre, and the Basilique du Sacré-Coeur).

A highlight of the 2nd floor, the Michelin-starred Le Jules Verne delivers exceptional haute cuisine in a dreamy setting. The restaurant's dining rooms feature expansive windows, which provide a peak of the Eiffel Tower's structural beams and glimpses of Paris cityscapes. You'll also find a buffet-style cafeteria and the Pierre Hermé macaron boutique.

To arrive at the top floor (276 meters in elevation) requires an exhilarating elevator ride from the 2nd floor. The staircases only go up to the 2nd floor, so climbing up to the top is not an option.

Visiting the top floor of the Eiffel Tower is one of the most thrilling things to do in Paris , but it's not for the faint of heart. When you walk out onto the compact viewing platform at this level, you are overwhelmed by the far-reaching views and strong gusts of wind. Up this high, it feels like another world, and you can no longer hear the noise of street traffic below.

You definitely will want to spend some time taking photos of the Eiffel Tower. From either the Jardins du Trocadéro (a short walk across the Seine River) or the Parc du Champ de Mars (the lawns in front of the tower), there is just the right distance for picture-perfect photo-ops.

Address: La Tour Eiffel, Champ de Mars, 75007 Paris (Métro: Bir-Hakeim, Trocadéro, Iéna, or Passy station)

The Louvre is the most prestigious of Paris' museums and the crème de la crème of the city's cultural attractions. Besides its exceptional art collection, the building has a regal past: The Louvre was formerly the residential palace of France's kings.

Today, the Musée du Louvre displays thousands of artworks, many of which are considered masterpieces, from antiquities to European paintings of the 15th to 19th centuries.

It is impossible to see it all in one visit, but you can focus on a particular gallery, such as classical sculpture, Italian Renaissance art, or 17th-century French paintings, or take a self-guided tour to cover the Louvre Museum's highlights.

Of course, you will want to get a look at the Mona Lisa or La Gioconda (or La Joconde in French) painted by Leonardo da Vinci in 1503-1505. Many tourists breeze through the museum just to glance at this one piece, but there are other must-see works of art to admire even if time is limited.

Other masterpieces of the Louvre include the ancient Vénus de Milo sculpture; the monumental Victoire de Samothrace of the Hellenistic period; the immense Wedding Feast at Cana painting by Veronese (1563); Sandro Botticelli's Venus and the Three Graces fresco; and Liberty Leading the People (1831) by Eugène Delacroix, depicting the Parisian uprising of July 1830.

To get the most out of a visit to the Louvre, join a guided tour. The museum offers tours in multiple languages. These focus on the highlights and provide information on the palace.

The Louvre Museum Skip-the-Line Tour is another option that also takes you straight to the museum's most famous artworks, including the Venus de Milo and the Mona Lisa . On this three-hour tour, a guide (who is an art historian) provides in-depth commentary about the masterpieces.

Author's Tips : Most visitors enter the museum in the courtyard of the palace at the Pyramid du Louvre , the glass pyramid designed by Ieoh Ming Pei in 1917. This entrance almost always has long lines. The wait is especially long without a timed entrance ticket. (See tips below for alternative entrances to the museum.)

Avoid the lines of the Pyramid entrance by going to one of the lesser-known entrances. If you already have a Louvre museum ticket or a Paris Museum Pass, head to the Carrousel entrance (99 Rue de Rivoli) where you likely can walk right in without waiting in line. You may save some time at this entrance if you haven't reserved a specific time slot for admission.

Purchase a museum pass : If you plan to visit multiple museums, you can save money and time by purchasing a Paris Museum Pass . The savings depends on how many museums you visit. The advantage is that you don't have to purchase a ticket at each museum. However, you still need to reserve a specific time slot (free of charge) to visit the Louvre, the Musée d'Orsay, and Château de Versailles (otherwise you may have to wait in line).

If you have not already purchased a ticket or Paris Museum Pass, you may use the Porte des Lions entrance on the 4 Quai François Mitterrand.

Address: Musée du Louvre, Rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris (Métro: Palais-Royal Musée du Louvre or Pyramides station)

Brimming with fancy boutiques and dining terraces, the Champs-Élysées epitomizes the fashionable panache of Paris.

You'd never guess that the most monumental boulevard in Paris used to be a desolate swamp. The marshland was converted into an avenue by renowned landscape designer André Le Nôtre in the 17th century. Two centuries later, the city planner Baron Georges-Eugène Haussmann added the grey stone Mansard-roofed buildings that give the boulevard its classic Parisian look.

The Champs-Élysées is divided into two parts with the Rond-Point des Champs-Élysées as its intersection.

The lower part of the Champs-Élysées, bordering the Place de la Concorde , includes a spacious park, the Jardins des Champs-Élysées , and the Petit Palais fine arts museum. The upper part, extending to the Arc de Triomphe, is lined by luxury shops, hotels, restaurants, cafés, cinemas, and theaters. This bustling area draws many tourists and is a gathering place for Parisians.

The Champs-Élysées is famous for its prestigious establishments, such as Maison Ladurée (75 Avenue des Champs-Élysées), a pâtisserie boutique and tea salon that offers exquisite French pastries (macarons are the house specialty), and upscale designer boutiques like Tiffany & Co. (62 Avenue des Champs-Élysées), Louis-Vuitton (101 Avenue des Champs-Élysées), and Cartier (154 Avenue des Champs-Élysées).

For fine dining , the top choices are the legendary brasserie Fouquet's (99 Avenue des Champs-Élysées) and the swanky gastronomic restaurant L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon Étoile (133 Avenue des Champs-Élysées), which has one Michelin star.

Although the Champs-Élysées has an image of refinement, there are many affordable places that cater to tourists and students on a budget, such as Starbucks, Quick, Burger King, and McDonald's.

Address: Avenue des Champs-Elysées, 75008 Paris (Métro: Champs-Élysées Clemenceau station to visit the Jardins des Champs-Élysées and Petit Palais, Franklin d. Roosevelt station for Ladurée, George V station for the main shopping area).

You haven't seen the best of French art until you visit the Musée d'Orsay . The Musée du Louvre may hold the most masterpieces of European painting, but the Musée d'Orsay focuses on works by celebrated French artists including Monet, Renoir, and Degas.

If you love Impressionist art , this is the place to go. The Musée d'Orsay displays a splendid collection of 19th- and 20th-century art (created from 1848 to 1914).

Although the museum's inventory begins with 19th-century Realist paintings and landscape paintings, the highlight of the museum is the Impressionism collection. Also on display are Post-Impressionist works by artists such as Pierre Bonnard, Paul Cézanne, and Vincent van Gogh, and bohemian artists like Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec.

Some of the museum's famous paintings include Claude Monet's The Magpie , Gare Saint-Lazare, Poppy Field , and Luncheon on the Grass ; Vincent van Gogh's self-portrait and Starry Night ; and Renoir's Dance at Moulin de la Galette, which depicts a festive party scene in Montmartre.

You may rent an audioguide to take a self-guided tour. The commentary (available in English and French) covers over 300 works.

The museum also has a bookstore/gift shop, two casual cafés, and a fine-dining restaurant, which is worth the splurge. Formerly the Hôtel d'Orsay (a luxury hotel within the original Gare d'Orsay) and listed as a Monument Historique , the Musée d'Orsay Restaurant features gilded ceilings and sparkling chandeliers.

On the square in front of the museum, there is a kiosk that sells sandwiches and falafel.

Address: Musée d'Orsay, Esplanade Valéry Giscard d'Estaing 75007 Paris (Métro: Musée d'Orsay, Assemblée Nationale, or Solférino station)

Commissioned by Napoleon III in 1860, the Palais Garnier Opera House was designed by Charles Garnier in an exuberant Baroque style. Garnier worked tirelessly on the project for over a decade, from 1862 to 1875. Today, this show-stopping landmark is a symbol of Napoleon's Imperial regime.

Upon entering the building, you are dazzled by the lavish 11,000-square-meter interior. Much of the building's space is dedicated to the main foyer with its fabulous Grand Escalier , marble entrance staircase, adorned by ornate gilded lamps, and the Salon du Glacier , a sumptuous Belle Époque hall decorated with mirrors, Corinthian columns painted gold, colorful mosaics, and music-themed ceiling paintings.

The horseshoe-shaped auditorium has an intimate feel, although it can accommodate 2,105 people in its plush velvet seats. Gilded balconies, an enormous crystal chandelier, and a Chagall ceiling painting add to the theater's marvelousness, creating the perfect dramatic backdrop for ballet, opera, and music performances.

The Opéra Garnier hosts a prestigious calendar of events in addition to galas. Attending a performance is one of the most exciting things to do in Paris at night. It's a wonderful way to see the building's interior while enjoying a glamorous evening. Another option is to visit (entry ticket required) on a self-guided tour or take a guided tour during the daytime.

Connoisseurs of fine dining will be delighted to discover CoCo, a chic restaurant within the Opera House (entrance is at 1 Place Jacques Rouché) that serves contemporary French cuisine prepared from seasonal ingredients. CoCo offers lunch and dinner daily, as well as weekend brunch (every Saturday and Sunday) featuring musical entertainment. The garden terrace is open Tuesday through Saturday during summertime. Reservations are recommended.

Address: Palais Garnier, Place de l'Opéra, 8 Rue Scribe (at Auber) 75009 Paris (Métro: Opéra, Chaussée d'Antin-La Fayette or Havre-Caumartin station)

Despite the damage done by the 2019 fire, it is still worth seeing the Notre-Dame Cathedral. This awe-inspiring medieval monument stands at the heart of Paris on the Île-de-la-Cité, an island in the Seine River. To get here from the Latin Quarter , simply cross the Petit Pont bridge.

The Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris was founded in 1163 by King Louis IX (Saint Louis) and Bishop Maurice de Sully, and the construction took more than 150 years. The cathedral was first created in the Early Gothic style, while later additions (the west front and the nave) show the transition to High Gothic style.

Note: A large fire in April of 2019 caused considerable damage to the cathedral: The medieval roof and the 19th-century spire collapsed. However, the monument was partly saved thanks to the work of hundreds of firefighters.

A project to repair the structure is underway. The city plans to rebuild the cathedral and restore it to its previous state. Restoration work is ongoing.

Currently, the interior of the cathedral (including the towers) and the space immediately in front of the cathedral (on the Parvis Notre-Dame) are closed to the public. A few steps away from the cathedral's facade, a section of the Parvis Notre-Dame (square) is now used for educational exhibits about the cathedral.

The Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral anticipates reopening in December 2024. A project to redesign the landscaping around the cathedral is scheduled for completion in 2027.

Until the reopening, the Notre-Dame de Paris congregation will celebrate Mass at the Eglise Saint-Germain l'Auxerrois (2 Place du Louvre) in the 1st arrondissement.

Address: Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris, 6 Parvis Notre-Dame - Place Jean-Paul II, 75004 Paris (Métro: Cité or Saint-Michel Notre-Dame station)

The Place de la Concorde stands at the heart of Paris both literally and figuratively. The square was created in 1772 by the architect of King Louis XV. During the French Revolution, the Place de la Concorde was the scene of state-ordered executions , including Louis XVI and Marie-Antoinette, among other victims of the guillotine. The square was also part of Napoleon's triumphal route.

One of the largest and most central squares in the city, the Place de la Concorde offers a sensational perspective of the city's landmarks. In one direction, you can admire the Arc de Triomphe and in the other, the Louvre, while the Eiffel Tower can be seen in the distance.

Two ornately decorated fountains and an Egyptian obelisk are found in the middle of the square. However, it's a bit of a hassle to get up close because you have to walk through heavy traffic. The Place de la Concorde is one of the busiest intersections in Paris.

Tip for Pedestrians : You will notice cars circulating the square at high speeds. French drivers don't always pay attention to pedestrians. Make sure to get out of the way of oncoming cars!

During summertime , the Place de la Concorde adopts a fairground ambiance, with a Ferris wheel gracing the square from June through August. The neighboring Jardin des Tuileries also has amusement park rides and fairground treats during summertime.

To arrive at the Place de la Concorde, walk from the Louvre through the Jardin des Tuileries or the Rue de Rivoli, or follow the Quai des Tuileries along the Seine River. Alternatively, you may take the Métro to Concorde station.

Nothing says capital city grandeur quite like a triumphal arch. Paris' Arc de Triomphe is dedicated to the soldiers who fought in the French armies of the Revolution and the Napoleonic Wars. Napoleon I commissioned the building of this mighty structure in 1806 but did not live to see its completion in 1836.

The monument was modeled after the Arch of Titus in Rome. The massive 50-meter-high arch features bas-reliefs with larger-than-life-size figures, which depict the departure, victories, and glorious return of the French armies.

Particularly noteworthy is the bas-relief by François Rude on the Champs-Elysées-facing side: Departure of the Volunteers of 1792 , also known as La Marseillaise , illustrating the troops led by the winged spirit of Liberty. On the inner surface of the arch are the names of more than 660 generals and over a hundred battles.

The Arc de Triomphe stands at the end of the Champs-Élysées, presiding over a circular intersection (the Place de l'Étoile).

From the top of the monument, a viewing terrace affords a panoramic outlook onto the 12 avenues that radiate from the Place de l'Étoile, including the route from the Avenue des Champs-Elysées to the Place de la Concorde and the Louvre. It's also possible to see all the way to La Défense, the hilltop neighborhood of Montmartre, and the Eiffel Tower.

At the foot of the Arc de Triomphe is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier , dedicated in 1921 as a memorial to an anonymous soldier (symbol of the many other unknown soldiers who valiantly died for their country during World War One without ever receiving recognition).

The Flame of Remembrance was ignited at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on November 11th, 1923, and since that date has not ever been extinguished. Every evening at 6:30pm , a ritual takes place to rekindle the memorial flame at the tomb.

Throughout the year, events to honor national holidays are held at the Arc de Triomphe, including the November 11th (anniversary of the Armistice of 1918) ceremony commemorating those who perished in the war; the May 8th Fête de la Victoire (Victory Day) celebrating the end of WWII, and the liberation from Nazi occupation; as well as festivities for July 14th (Bastille Day).

Admission requires an entrance ticket. You may reserve a ticket in advance online. Free admission is included with the Paris Museum Pass (no reservations required). Guided tours are available.

For visitors with reduced mobility and young children, there is an elevator to reach the viewing terrace. Otherwise, you must take the stairs (284 steps).

Address: Arc de Triomphe, Place Charles de Gaulle, 75008 Paris (Métro: Charles de Gaulle-Étoile, Kléber or Argentine station)

A fascinating glimpse of ancien régime (old regime) splendor awaits you at the Hôtel de la Marine . During the reign of Louis XV, this Neoclassical palace housed the apartments of the Intendants du Garde-Meuble de la Couronne (the King's Furniture Storage Intendants). The intendant had an important job: procuring and maintaining the furnishings for the king's elaborate palaces.

The Hôtel de la Marine opened to the public in 2021 after several years of painstaking restoration work. This monument is one of the newest tourist attractions in Paris.

You enter the Hôtel de la Marine through a cobblestone courtyard off the Place de la Concorde. Then walk up the massive marble staircase and into the reception rooms, where you feel like you have stepped back in time. The interior decor has been restored to a state of perfect preservation.

Adorned with gilded moldings and crystal chandeliers, the Salons d'Honneur salons resemble the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles . Other rooms in the Intendant's Apartments reveal the refinement of the Age of Enlightenment.

During this period, aristocratic residences were lavishly decorated with exquisite furnishings, wallpaper, curtains, and paintings. You'll also see precious antiques such as a desk created by Jean-Henri Riesener , a renowned 18th-century cabinetmaker.

The dining room of the Intendant's Apartments, with its floral-patterned porcelain dinnerware, appears ready to welcome guests. On the guided tour, you will learn that the host placed servings of sugar (a precious commodity at the time) on the table to show off his wealth, along with bread, oysters, and bowls of fresh apricots, grapes, figs, and apples.

Be sure to step out onto the Hôtel de la Marine's Loggia , a colonnaded balcony that overlooks the Place de la Concorde. From this privileged spot, you can admire views of the Eiffel Tower, the gold-domed Hôtel National des Invalides, and the Jardins des Champs-Élysées.

Historical Notes : The Hôtel de la Marine is found on the Place de la Concorde, the square created in 1748 to display an equestrian statue of Louis XV and originally called Place Louis XV. During the French Revolution, the statue of the king was removed and the Crown jewels were stolen from the Hôtel de la Marine. In 1795, the square was renamed the "Place de la Concorde."

Treat yourself to some time relaxing and wandering the beautiful Jardin des Tuileries. After visiting the Hôtel de la Marine, the Place de la Concorde, or the Louvre Museum, you should spend some time wandering the nearby Jardin des Tuileries. This French formal garden was designed by celebrated landscape architect André Le Nôtre in the 17th century.

Today the garden offers an escape from the hustle and bustle in central Paris, but the ambiance was not always so idyllic. This garden is the site of the Palais des Tuileries where Louis XVI and Marie-Antoinette were essentially imprisoned during the French Revolution. The palace was destroyed by a fire in the 19th century; all that remains is the gorgeous garden.

The leafy grounds feature perfectly manicured trees, statues, and pathways. You can relax on the wooden park benches or on individual green chairs which may be moved around. Find the spot that appeals to you and lounge there for a bit, while listening to birds chirp. You'll see locals having a picnic lunch or reading a book in the sunshine.

For snacks and quick meals, head to La Terrasse de Pomone , a kiosk where you can order crepes and sandwiches to-go or for dining at the outdoor tables; the Petit Plisson kiosk that sells quiches and sandwiches for dining at shaded tables; or Petit Farmers , a purveyor of artisanal ice cream.

The park's two café-restaurants, Le Pavillon des Tuileries and the Café des Marronniers offer casual meals in a tranquil setting beneath the leafy chestnut trees.

Tips : Check the opening hours of the café-restaurants and food kiosks as the hours change during different seasons. You will only find the Petit Farmers ice cream truck & stand at the Jardin des Tuileries from April through October.

Soak up the scenery of Paris on a Seine River cruise. You'll have a chance to see the sights from a different perspective. The Seine River bridges, the Eiffel Tower, the Notre-Dame Cathedral, and the Louvre Museum look stunning from the viewpoint of a riverboat.

While a daytime cruise allows you to appreciate the glory of the monuments brightened by sunshine, the most romantic experience is an evening cruise. After sunset, the city's landmarks are illuminated, which creates a special effect, and somehow the city seems more magical.

For a cruise that includes dinner, try the Paris Seine River Dinner Cruise with Live Music by Bateaux Mouches. This luxurious riverboat cruise departs at the Pont de l'Alma (a short walk from the Eiffel Tower) and treats you to a romantic four-course meal. If you prefer a more casual boat ride, a good choice is the Seine River Direct Access Guided Cruise by Vedettes de Paris which includes commentary from a knowledgeable guide and breakfast or lunch.

Gourmands will be tempted by the Ducasse sur Seine restaurant boat, which departs from Port Debilly. This dining cruise offers a haute cuisine experience. Options include a lunch (two, three, or four-course meal) or dinner (four or five-course meal). Menus focus on contemporary-style French dishes prepared from seasonal ingredients.

Sainte-Chapelle is considered a rare jewel among medieval houses of worship and is certainly one of the most exquisite churches in Paris . The ravishing 13th-century chapel is tucked away on the Île-de-la-Cité , just a few blocks (about a 10-minute walk) from the Notre-Dame Cathedral.

This masterpiece of Rayonnant Gothic architecture was built from 1242 to 1248 for King Louis IX (Saint Louis) to house the precious relics he had acquired from the Byzantine Emperor. The altar displays a relic of the Crown of Thorns.

An expanse of 13th-century stained-glass windows sets this chapel apart from any other church in the world. The windows' beauty and brilliance are best appreciated on a sunny day and in the morning. If possible, try to schedule your visit accordingly.

The chapel's over 1,000 stained-glass windows (covering 600 square meters) depict scenes from the bible, both Old Testament and New Testament stories. The colors and light symbolize divinity and the Heavenly Jerusalem.

Only used for church services on rare occasions, Sainte-Chapelle is open to the public as a museum (entrance tickets are required). For an additional fee, audioguides (available in French, English, German, Italian, Spanish, and Japanese) provide one hour of commentary to help visitors appreciate the art, architecture, and history of Sainte-Chapelle.

To truly experience the serene ambiance of Sainte-Chapelle, attend one of the classical music concerts held here. In the iridescent glow of the sanctuary, performances of Baroque chamber music, sacred music, or Vivaldi string quartets have a sublime quality. A regular program of concerts is held at Sainte-Chapelle year-round, with events scheduled several times a week.

Sainte-Chapelle is located in the Palais de la Cité. To find the chapel, enter the iron gate of the Palais de Justice and walk through the inner courtyard.

Another attraction nearby is La Conciergerie (tourists may purchase combined entry tickets), the prison where Marie-Antoinette was detained during the French Revolution.

Address: Sainte-Chapelle, 8 Boulevard du Palais, 75001 Paris (Métro: Cité, Saint-Michel Notre-Dame or Châtelet station)

A visit to the City of Light is not complete without spending time on the sidewalk terrace or bustling interior of a famous café. It's the ultimate Parisian people-watching scene and a chance to imagine the historic rendezvous that occurred here.

To discover the legendary Paris cafés, the best place to start is the Boulevard Saint-Germain-des-Prés in the 6th arrondissement. This broad tree-lined boulevard features an enticing array of storefronts: designer fashion boutiques, prestigious cafés, and old-fashioned brasseries.

The most celebrated cafés are the Café de Flore (172 Boulevard Saint-Germain-des-Prés), which was the meeting place of Jean-Paul Sartre and Simone de Beauvoir, and Les Deux Magots (6 Place Saint-Germain-des-Prés), once the haunt of poets, authors, and artists, including Arthur Rimbaud, Paul Verlaine, James Joyce, Pablo Picasso, and Ernest Hemingway.

Across from Les Deux Magots is the Eglise Saint-Germain-des-Prés , one of the most important churches in Paris .

At both Café de Flore and Les Deux Magots, you will get the classic Parisian café experience, complete with waiters wearing bow ties. Although the waiters have a reputation for their brusque service, their formality adds to the authentic ambiance.

The Saint-Germain-des-Prés area also has excellent pâtisserie boutiques, boulangeries, and chocolate shops such as the Ladurée tea salon (21 Rue Bonaparte), the Maison Le Roux Chocolatier & Caramélier (1 Rue de Bourbon le Château), and Debauve & Gallais (30 Rue des Saints-Pères), a boutique founded in 1779 that supplied Marie-Antoinette with chocolates.

Join the Paris Sweet Tooth Stroll small-group tour to sample the neighborhood's finest sweet treats.

The brasseries of Boulevard du Montparnasse were also frequented by artists and writers during the early 20th century. Le Dôme in Montparnasse is a Paris institution (108 Boulevard du Montparnasse) that has attracted luminaries including Sartre, Simone de Beauvoir, and Picasso. In its glittering Art Deco dining room, the restaurant serves exceptional seafood.

Another atmospheric French brasserie with a mythical past, La Coupole (102 Boulevard du Montparnasse) has, since the 1920s, been visited by artists such as André Derain, Fernand Léger, Man Ray, Pablo Picasso, and Marc Chagall as well as the novelist Albert Camus and the philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre.

La Rotonde Montparnasse (105 Boulevard du Montparnasse) has been a gathering place for painters and writers since 1911 and still attracts cinematographers and artists today.

The Jardin du Luxembourg is the best-known park in Paris after the Tuileries. The 25-hectare park features a formal French garden, similar to the Jardin des Tuileries, as well as an English garden with shady groves of overgrown trees.

On a nice day, it's fun to grab a baguette sandwich at a nearby bakery and then find a chair in front of the garden's duck pond. This is the Paris version of going to the beach when the weather is pleasant. You'll notice many local residents taking a lunch break or simply soaking up some sunshine at the park. It's an especially popular spot among students of the Latin Quarter.

You can also visit a rose garden, apiary, Orangerie (orangery), and greenhouses filled with exotic orchids, as well as an orchard where heirloom varieties of apples flourish.

Artistic treasures are found throughout the gardens, such as the picturesque 17th-century Fontaine Médicis , a fountain basin nestled under trees opposite the east front of the Palais du Luxembourg , which today is used by the French state as the seat of the Senate.

Steps away from the Fontaine Médicis is La Terrasse de Madame , a little café-restaurant in a charming setting. You may dine at outdoor tables beneath the leafy chestnut trees. The menu includes coffee and croissants for breakfast and bistro meals for lunch, such as steak, Croque Monsieur (sandwiches), quiche, grilled fish, charcuterie, and salads. Also on the menu are traditional French desserts like profiteroles and crème brûlée .

Children love the playground, which features swings, slides, a sandpit, a games area, and pony rides. A favorite activity for the youngest visitors at the Jardin du Luxembourg is steering miniature sailboats around in the octagonal pool (the boats can be hired at a kiosk by the pond).

For French-speaking kids, watching a puppet show at the Théâtre des Marionnettes is not to be missed. The Théâtre des Marionnettes is a modern venue, in the southwest area of the park near the tennis courts, that accommodates an audience of up to 275 children and adults (which makes it the largest puppet theater in France).

Address: Jardin du Luxembourg, Rue de Vaugirard/Rue de Médicis, 75006 Paris (Métro: Luxembourg or Odéon station)

Sitting at the highest point in Paris like an ornamental decoration, the Basilique du Sacré-Coeur de Montmartre has a special aura. Its alabaster facade blends Romanesque and Byzantine styles, and from far away, it looks like a wedding cake (which is its nickname).

If you walk to the Sacré-Coeur Basilica from the Métro station, you must walk up the Esplanade, a staircase of over 200 steps, to arrive at the Basilica.

Inside the Basilica, the striking mosaic of Christ with a flaming heart gives the sanctuary an emotional and spiritual intensity, fitting for a church that was created as a symbol of hope after the Franco-Prussian War. In keeping with the somber ambiance, the Basilica's sanctuary is quite dark except for a plethora of flickering candles.

The atmosphere outside the church is quite a contrast, with Parisian joie de vivre in full swing. Locals like to hang out on the grass lawns of the Esplanade while listening to street musicians. You'll see tourists taking selfies, couples embracing, and kids playing on the grass. Below the Esplanade is an old-fashioned carousel, adding to the sense of festivity.

You can spend time on the terrace in front of the Basilica admiring the views of Paris or climb (300 steps) up to the Basilica's Dome for an even higher perspective with unobstructed panoramas. Admission to the Dome requires an entrance fee, but you may visit the Basilica free of charge .

After visiting the Sacré-Coeur, be sure to explore the enchanting neighborhood of Montmartre . This medieval country village (once considered outside of the city) has been incorporated into the city of Paris as the 18th arrondissement.

Montmartre exudes old-fashioned charm along with an avant-garde edge. Winding cobblestone streets and pedestrian staircases lead to small locally owned boutiques and restaurants, art galleries that evoke the quarter's bohemian past, and quiet squares filled with outdoor cafés .

During the Belle Époque, the village of Montmartre began to attract artists such as Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec and Edgar Degas. The bohemian creative spirit of Montmartre is still found here, especially around the Place du Tertre and the Carré Roland Dorgelès .

Montmartre has several excellent art museums, where you can admire the creations of artists who resided here in the late 19th and early 20th century (the Belle Époque). During that era, the quarter was famous for its cabarets and artists' studios.

The Musée de Montmartre (12 Rue Cortot) occupies a historic house where Auguste Renoir, Raoul Dufy, Suzanne Valadon, and other artists once lived and worked. Tucked away within the museum's gardens, you'll find the Café Renoir , which features outdoor seating in the delightful space where Renoir painted several masterpieces.

If you are intrigued by Surrealist art, be sure to visit the Dalí Paris museum (11 Rue Poulbot). This innovative museum displays more than 300 works created by Salvador Dalí. The exhibits are presented in a way that reveals the symbols and motifs used in his artworks.

Address: Basilique du Sacré-Coeur, 35 Rue du Chevalier-de-la-Barre, 75018 Paris (Métro: Abbesses)

The Panthéon is the national mausoleum of France's greatest citizens. You get a sense of the important heritage just by glancing at this grand monument. The colonnaded facade and enormous dome were modeled after the ancient Pantheon in Rome.

The architecture of the Panthéon marks a clear break from the fanciful Rococo style of the Louis XV era and instead presents a simpler and more somber Neoclassical style. The inscription on the Panthéon's facade reads " Aux Grands Hommes La Patrie Reconnaissante " (" To the Great Men Recognized by Their Country ").

Many famous men (75 in total) are buried here, including philosophers Voltaire, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, and René Descartes; and the writers Victor Hugo, Alexandre Dumas, Émile Zola, and André Malraux. Although the monument was originally dedicated exclusively to France's male citizens, this has changed recently.

Since 1995, several of France's most esteemed female citizens have been buried in the Panthéon including the physicist Marie Curie, a two-time winner of the Nobel Prize. Five other women are buried at the Panthéon. In November 2021, Josephine Baker (the famous Black American expatriate dancer and singer) became the sixth woman to receive the honor of being inducted into the Panthéon.

When you step inside the Neoclassical sanctuary, you will be awed by the spacious domed interior, the floor-to-ceiling paintings that depict scenes of Christian saints, and the enormous sculpture that celebrates French Revolution deputies ( La Convention Nationale ).

Beneath the monumental rotunda is an unusual centerpiece: a science experiment rather than a work of art. Foucault's pendulum , created by French physicist Léon Foucault, was installed in 1851 to demonstrate his theory that the Earth rotates. The brass pendulum hangs from the dome on a steel wire and constantly oscillates in a circular trajectory.

To find the famous citizen's monuments and tombs, you will need a map (available on-site). The underground crypt is arranged in a geometric fashion, but it is easy to get lost.

Entrance to the Panthéon requires an admission fee, unless you have a Paris Museum Pass and except for the first Sunday of every month from November through March.

From April through September (for an additional entrance fee), you may ascend to the Panthéon's dome, where a colonnaded balcony provides a sensational view of the city's landmarks. You can see the Notre-Dame Cathedral, the Louvre Museum, the Eiffel Tower, and the Sacré-Coeur Basilica in the hilltop neighborhood of Montmartre.

Address: Panthéon, Place du Panthéon, 75005 Paris (Métro: Luxembourg station)

In the charming Marais district, the Place des Vosges is Paris' oldest public square. With its uniform red-brick architecture, this elegant square provided a model for other squares such as Place Vendôme and Place de la Concorde.

The Place des Vosges was constructed between 1605 and 1612 (called Place Royale at the time) for King Henri IV. The buildings originally housed aristocratic residences.

The Place Royale offered a splendid setting for festive occasions in the 17th century, such as tournaments, state receptions, and court weddings. It was also a favorite spot for duels, in spite of Cardinal Richelieu's ban on dueling. The celebrated courtesan of Louis XIII's reign lived at number 11, and the future Madame de Sévigné was born in 1626 at number 1 on the square.

Victor Hugo rented an apartment at number 6 on the Place Royale between 1832 and 1848. Today this apartment is a museum, the Maison de Victor Hugo (6 Place des Vosges) which is devoted to educating visitors about the life and work of Victor Hugo.

The Place des Vosges is at the heart of Le Marais, a medieval quarter with narrow cobblestone streets, grand Renaissance palaces, and hôtels particuliers (mansions) of the 16th and 17th centuries. Several of these stately old buildings have been converted into museums.

A fascinating glimpse of France's history awaits you at the Musée des Archives Nationales (Museum of the National Archives) in the 17th-century Hôtel de Soubise (60 Rue des Francs-Bourgeois). The museum presents historical exhibits including the Edict of Nantes, French Revolution objects, Marie-Antoinette's last testament, and a letter written to Napoleon.

The most important museum of the quarter is the Musée Carnavalet - Histoire de Paris. This recently renovated museum illustrates the history of Paris from antiquity through the French Revolution and the Belle Époque until the present day.

In the Hôtel Salé (a 17th-century aristocratic mansion), the Musée National Picasso-Paris (5 Rue de Thorigny) wows you with its incredibly extensive collection (over 5,000 pieces) of Picasso's artwork, including some of his most iconic masterpieces.

More than just an open-air museum filled with historic monuments, Le Marais has become a trendy quarter full of fashion boutiques, cute cafés, and unique shops. Spend some time wandering the Rue de Sévigné and its cross street, the Rue des Francs Bourgeois . This area brims with youthful energy and is a fun place to visit for a stroll or a coffee break.

Another interesting fact about Le Marais is that it has a significant Jewish community. The Musée d'Art et d'Histoire du Judaïsme (71 Rue du Temple) presents the 2,000-year history of France's Jewish communities, along with educational programs about Jewish culture and exhibitions of artwork by Jewish artists such as Chagall and Modigliani.

Nearby, the Jardin Anne Frank offers the tranquility of a secluded garden. This quiet, leafy green space features benches, shady trees, and an orchard. One of the chestnut trees in the garden was grafted from a tree that Anne Frank could see from the window of the annex where she lived in Amsterdam.

For those in search of a refined Parisian experience, the Mariage Frères (30 Rue du Bourg-Tibourg) is the place to go. This tea salon serves its aromatic tea with savory and sweet delicacies in a French colonial-style dining room; its adjoining shop sells a wide selection of scented teas in distinctive tins.

Many tourists wait in line to try the authentic falafel at L'As du Fallafel (34 Rue des Rosiers), considered one of the best Middle Eastern restaurants in Paris. This area has several kosher restaurants and kosher bakeries.

Tip : Keep in mind that L'As du Fallafel and other Jewish-owned shops in the Marais are closed on Shabbat (Friday evening and Saturday during the daytime).

Address: Place des Vosges, 75004 Paris (Métro: Saint-Paul or Bastille station)

The Musée Rodin is a hidden gem in the posh 7th arrondissement. This peaceful haven of refinement occupies the Hôtel Biron , an 18th-century mansion where sculptor Auguste Rodin lived and worked for many years. The property includes a seven-acre Sculpture Garden that blooms with flowers throughout the year.

In 1908, Auguste Rodin began to rent several rooms on the ground floor of the Hôtel Biron to use as an atelier. Rodin later took over the entire Hôtel Biron, which became his place of residence for the rest of his life. In 1916, Rodin donated his artworks and collection of antiquities to the French state, and the museum was established soon thereafter.

The Musée Rodin displays a remarkable assortment of Rodin's sculptures, as well as the works of Camille Claudel. Rodin masterpieces presented in the Hôtel Biron include Danaïd , an expressive marble sculpture depicting a mythological character (created in 1890); The Age of Bronze (created in 1877); The Cathedral , a stone sculpture of two intertwined hands (created in 1908); and The Kiss , one of Rodin's most sensual works (created around 1882).

Several monumental Rodin sculptures preside over various corners of the Sculpture Garden. The Thinker , Rodin's most iconic work of art , sits on a pedestal overlooking the perfectly manicured formal garden. The expressive Monument to Balzac stands in a shady spot beneath leafy trees, while a bronze statue of Adam is sheltered behind dense shrubbery.

Adding to the romance of the garden are the park benches and the café-restaurant, L'Augustine , where you may relax on an outdoor terrace. The café-restaurant also has a casual indoor dining space. Here you can savor a classic French meal, complete with dessert supplied by the renowned Maison Lenôtre pâtisserie.

This graceful 17th-century square was designed by Jules Hardouin-Mansart , one of the leading architects of Le Grand Siècle (during the reign of Louis XIV). Originally, the square was called Place Louis le Grand and was intended to house royal establishments.

The charm of the Place Vendôme is that it has retained the consistency of the overall design, which combines regal ostentation with civic simplicity. Following careful restoration in the early '90s, it has been restored in all its splendor.

The square is known for its upscale jewelry boutiques including Boucheron, Chaumet, Van Cleef & Arpels, and Cartier. Another luxury establishment here is the Ritz Hotel , which was frequented by Ernest Hemingway, Scott Fitzgerald, and Gertrude Stein.

Coco Chanel made the Ritz Paris her home for 34 years; she decorated her suite in her signature style with velvet-upholstered sofas, lacquered furniture, and gilded mirrors. The Ritz Paris still has a suite named after Coco Chanel that exemplifies her vision of Parisian chic.

At the center of the Place Vendôme stands a landmark of historic importance, the Colonne de la Grande Armée (replacing a statue of Louis XIV that was removed in 1792). Built between 1806 and 1810, the 42-meter-high column is dedicated to Napoleon and his Grande Armée (army) who fought heroically and victoriously in the Battle of Austerlitz (in December 1805).

The column's facade is crafted from bronze plaques embossed with 108 spiraling bas-relief friezes (similar to Trajan's Column in Rome), which tell the story of the glorious events that took place during Napoleon's campaign of 1805.

Address: Place Vendôme, 75001 Paris (Métro: Tuileries or Opéra station)

In the charming Le Marais quarter, the Centre Pompidou is a cultural center devoted to modern art. The building itself features shocking modern architecture, sometimes described as an "inside out" design because the architectural details of staircases and elevators appear on the exterior.

The main attraction of the Centre Pompidou is the Musée National d'Art Moderne (National Museum of Modern Art), which displays iconic works of art chosen from an extensive collection of over 100,000 pieces. The collection focuses on contemporary art created from 1905 to the present.

The collection covers all the movements of modern art, beginning with the Post-Impressionist "Fauves" and "Les Nabis" movements (André Derain, Raoul Dufy, Henri Matisse, Pierre Bonnard, and Marc Chagall) and continuing with the famous movement of Cubism (Pablo Picasso, Georges Braque, Fernand Léger, and Robert Delaunay).

Each room highlights a specific time period or artistic movements such as Expressionism, Constructivism (Paul Klee and Piet Mondrian), Surrealism (Salvador Dalí, Max Ernst, René Magritte, and André Masson), Abstract Expressionism (Mark Rothko, Nicolas de Staël, Hans Hartung, and Serge Poliakoff), Informal Art (Jean Dubuffet), New Realism, and Pop Art (Andy Warhol, Claes Oldenburg).

Several masterpieces of the collection are not to be missed : Avec l'Arc Noir by Wassily Kandinsky, Manège de Cochons by Robert Delaunay, Portrait de la Journaliste Sylvia von Harden by Otto Dix, The Frame by Frida Kahlo, Les Mariés de la Tour Eiffel by Marc Chagall, La Blouse Roumaine by Henri Matisse, New York City by Piet Mondrian, and Les Loisirs-Hommage à Louis David by Fernand Léger.

The center has two bookstores, a casual café, and a boutique that sells gift items inspired by contemporary art.

For a special dining experience, head to the Centre Pompidou's restaurant on the museum's top floor. Restaurant Georges features floor-to-ceiling windows with spectacular panoramic views of the Paris cityscape. Tables on the terrace look out directly onto the Notre-Dame Cathedral, the Eiffel Tower, and Montmartre.

Address: Centre Pompidou, Place Georges-Pompidou, 75004 Paris (Métro: Rambuteau, Hôtel de Ville, Châtelet or Rambuteau station)

Louis XIV founded the Hôtel Royal des Invalides in the late 17th century as a home for disabled soldiers. The building was constructed between 1671 and 1676 under the direction of the architect Libéral Bruant and centered on the Eglise Saint-Louis-des-Invalides, which was later redesigned by the architect Jules Hardouin-Mansart in 1706.

Today, the Hôtel National des Invalides still has a hospital (Institution Nationale des Invalides) that provides medical care for disabled veterans.

The monument also includes several tourist attractions: three museums and two historic churches. You could easily spend hours here, and luckily the site has excellent amenities: a café-restaurant, the Angelina tearoom (famous for its hot chocolate and pastries) in a tree-shaded courtyard, and a bookstore/gift shop.

Founded in 1794, the Musée de l'Armée (Army Museum) presents a large collection of military equipment and uniforms, weapons, prints, and armor from various historical periods. The museum covers the military history of France from the 13th century (the Crusades) to the 17th century. There are also paintings of Napoleon and well-known generals, as well as maps that depict the French campaigns.

The Musée de l'Ordre de la Libération honors the soldiers who fought for the liberation of France during the Second World War, from 1940 to 1945. This museum also educates visitors about the deportation of Jews from France, the Resistance, and life in France during the war.

The military strategy of the 17th century comes to life at the Musée des Plans-Reliefs (Museum of Relief Maps). The museum displays 97 detailed (1 to 600 scale) relief maps of France's fortified towns (citadels) and fortresses that date from 1668 to 1871. Louis XIV's Minister of War (and later ministers) used the maps for military planning purposes.

A gold-domed Neoclassical church, the Eglise du Dôme des Invalides was built in 1677 as a royal chapel for Louis XIV but is most famous for being the site of Napoleon's Tomb , installed here in 1861 by the orders of King Louis-Philippe. The imperial tomb stands beneath a magnificent cupola, which was painted by Charles de la Fosse.

Designed for veterans to worship, the Cathédrale Saint-Louis des Invalides (constructed around 1676) connects with the Eglise du Dôme des Invalides. This chapel was built in keeping with the etiquette of the 17th century and has a separate entrance from the Eglise du Dôme. The Eglise Saint-Louis des Invalides still serves as the cathedral for the French army.

Address: Hôtel National des Invalides, Esplanade des Invalides, 129 Rue de Grenelle, 75007 Paris

Just steps away from the Louvre Museum, you will find a welcome retreat amid the bustle of Paris' 1st arrondissement. Visiting this secluded spot feels like a secret getaway, even though it's right in the center of the city.

The Palais-Royal was created as a residence for Cardinal Richelieu in 1633, during the reign of Louis XIII. Richelieu later bequeathed the palace to the royal family, and it became the childhood home of Louis XIV.

Exemplifying classical French architecture, the Domaine National du Palais-Royal is made up of 60 pavilions surrounding a courtyard and a garden, the Jardin du Palais-Royal . This peaceful enclosed space has the feeling of being its own little village within the city.

After wandering the busy streets of Paris, you will be delighted by the lush tree-shaded grounds. You might be surprised to see that the courtyard features a contemporary sculpture installation, a striking contrast to the historic architecture.

The buildings are connected by a colonnaded pathway and arcaded galleries (verandas) filled with high-end boutiques . There are fancy cafés with pleasant outdoor terraces and two gastronomic restaurants: the haute-cuisine Palais Royal Restaurant (two Michelin stars); and Le Grand Véfour in an 18th-century dining room featuring ornate " art décoratif " design motifs.

The Palais-Royal area has two theaters: the Théâtre du Palais-Royal (38 Rue de Montpensier), which dates back to 1783 and continues to present theater performances in French; and La Comédie-Française (1 Place Colette), a theater known as the " La Maison de Molière " because it has staged so many of the famous playwright's works. The Comédie-Française was inaugurated in 1790 and is still in use during its theater season.

A lovely place for a stroll, the Domaine National du Palais-Royal is open every day, free of charge. The Centre des Monuments Nationaux offers guided group tours.

Address: Domaine National du Palais-Royal, 8 Rue Montpensier, 75001 Paris (Métro: Palais Royal-Musée du Louvre or Pyramides station)

Now, only the name of this square is a reminder that the notorious state prison known as the Bastille, the much-hated symbol of absolutist power, once stood here. After the storming of the Bastille on July 14, 1789, the prison was completely demolished.

In the center of Place de la Bastille is the 51-meter-high Colonne de Juillet , topped by a graceful gilded figure of Liberty ( Génie de la Liberté ). The monument commemorates the July Revolution of 1830, which overthrew King Charles X and brought Louis-Philippe d'Orléans to power.

Four Gallic cocks and a lion relief on the base of the column symbolize the free people of France. A spiral staircase of 283 steps inside the column leads to a viewing platform.

On the site of the Bastille prison is the new Opera House, the Opéra Bastille , inaugurated by President Mitterrand on July 13, 1989. This immense modern theater has seating for 2,745 people. Both the view of the stage from the auditorium and the acoustics are superb.

The Opéra Bastille presents a calendar of events that includes opera and ballet performances by the Opéra National de Paris and the Corps de Ballet de l'Opéra de Paris.

For a memorable evening in Paris, attend one of the performances at the Opéra Bastille and then dine in the Bastille area. This trendy neighborhood is brimming with quirky boutiques, hip clothing shops, stylish restaurants, and happening cafés.

Address: Place de la Bastille, 75012 Paris (Métro: Bastille)

The Place du Châtelet stands at the very center of Paris in the 1st arrondissement, overlooking the Seine River. The Pont au Change (bridge) provides access from the Île de la Cité to the Place du Châtelet.

Tip : It's just a short walk from Sainte-Chapelle and La Conciergerie on the Île-de-la-Cité to the Place du Châtelet, so it would make sense to visit these tourist attractions at the same time.

Two theaters grace the Place du Châtelet. The opulent Second Empire Théâtre du Châtelet (1 Place du Châtelet) presents a wide variety of music concerts, as well as dance and theater performances. A listed Monument Historique where Sarah Bernhardt once directed shows, the Théâtre de la Ville (2 Place du Châtelet) stages a diverse program of dance, music, and theater performances.

The area around Place du Châtelet is also worth exploring. Continue towards the Rue de Rivoli, past the Boulevard de Sébastopol, and wander through the small park to find the Tour Saint-Jacques . The 16th-century Flamboyant Gothic clock tower is all that remains of the Eglise Saint-Jacques-de-la-Boucherie (the patron saint of butchers), the town's old parish church.

The Saint-Jacques Tower is also famous as the place where Blaise Pascal conducted one of his barometric experiments, which showed the effect of altitude on the height of a column of mercury.

Never mind the inviting name, this imposing medieval fortress was an infamous place of detention and a courthouse (from 1793 to 1795) during the French Revolution. Here, prisoners including Marie-Antoinette and Robespierre were kept in dank cells while awaiting their fate.

The Conciergerie is a remnant of the Palais de la Cité , the royal residence of France's kings in the 13th and 14th centuries until the royal residence was moved to the Louvre. During the Restoration (return of the Bourbon monarchs to the throne), the Conciergerie was no longer used as a prison and Marie-Antoinette's cell was converted into a commemorative chapel.

Today, the Conciergerie is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is open to the public as a museum. It's possible to purchase a combined entry ticket for the Conciergerie and Sainte-Chapelle. Admission to the Conciergerie is included with a Paris Museum Pass.

During your visit, you will have a chance to walk through the Prisoners' Corridor which includes a replica of French Revolution-era prison cells. An evocative exhibit, the Salle des Noms lists the names of more than 4,000 people who were put on trial by the Revolutionary Tribunal and includes their biographies.

Of course, you must visit the expiatory chapel of Marie-Antoinette (the commemorative chapel). Look for the motif of tears painted on the walls.

Other highlights of the visit include the Salle des Gardes which exhibits artifacts from the bloody Reign of Terror, including a guillotine blade, prison regulations, and a copy of Marie-Antoinette's last letter.

The Salle des Gens d'Armes is a 14th-century vaulted Gothic hall of awesome proportions. In this forbidding room, the condemned prisoners were handed over to the executioner.

For an exceptional view of the building's Neo-Gothic facade, stand on the opposite side of the Seine River on the Quai de la Mégisserie. From this distance, with its three round towers and the Tour de l'Horloge (Clock Tower), the fortress resembles a fairy-tale castle rather than a penitentiary.

Address: 2 Boulevard du Palais, 75001 Paris (Métro: Cité or Saint-Michel Notre-Dame station)

Formerly royal hunting grounds, the Bois de Boulogne is now home to a surprising modern landmark. Opened in 2014, the Fondation Louis Vuitton was commissioned by Bernard Arnault, chairman of the Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy corporation.

Acclaimed American architect Frank Gehry designed the striking building, using 3,600 glass panels and more steel than the amount in the Eiffel Tower. The museum features 3,500 square meters of exhibition space with 11 different galleries illuminated by natural light.

In keeping with the museum's modern theme, the permanent collection focuses entirely on 20th-century and 21st-century art organized into four different categories: Expressionism, Contemplative Art, Pop Art, and Music & Sound.

The Fondation Louis Vuitton offers a year-round calendar of events and temporary exhibits. Cultural events and music performances are presented in a 1,000-seat auditorium.

Not to be missed are the four outdoor terraces on the rooftop, which afford sweeping views of the Bois de Boulogne, La Défense district, and the Eiffel Tower in the distance. You may also shop at the bookstore and enjoy a snack or meal at Le Frank Restaurant .

A tourist attraction in itself, the 850-hectare Bois de Boulogne has walking paths, gardens, bicycle rentals, picnic areas, and a lake for boating. Three upscale restaurants, including La Grande Cascade , the Auberge du Bonheur , and the three Michelin-starred restaurant Le Pré Catelan , offer traditional French fine dining. At the park's hippodrome used for horse races, La Brasserie Paris Longchamp serves casual sit-down meals.

Within the Bois de Boulogne is the Parc de Bagatelle with picnic tables, a snack bar, and a rose garden. The 18th-century Château de Bagatelle is open on Sundays and for temporary exhibitions. The Orangery of the Parc de Bagatelle hosts a Chopin Festival every year from mid-June until mid-July.

Address: 8 Avenue du Mahatma Gandhi, Bois de Boulogne, 75116 Paris (Métro: Pont de Neuilly or Avenue Foch)

Covering 55 hectares, the Parc de La Villette is the largest landscaped green space in Paris. The park is brimming with attractions, including children's playgrounds and the Cité de la Music .

The park is also home to 400-seat La Géode IMAX theater; the Zénith Paris - La Villette concert hall; the Philharmonie de Paris performance venue; and Le Trabendo , which stages rock, rap, and hip-hop music concerts.

During summertime, Parisians (and a few tourists) enjoy attending cultural events at the Parc de La Villette. For several days at the end of May, the Villette Sonique festival draws huge crowds to outdoor music concerts. Other festivals include Jazz à La Villette held from late August through early September and an outdoor film festival ( Cinéma en Plein Air ), which takes place in the park from mid-July to mid-August.

The park features a variety of themed gardens with walking paths, footbridges, and bright red architectural "follies" designed by Bernard Tschumi. The area around the Canal de l'Ourcq is embellished with ponds and fountains.

Address: 211 Avenue Jean Jaurès, 75019 Paris (Métro: Porte de la Villette)

Planning to visit Paris during summertime? Be sure to pack your swimsuit! Even though the city is far from the sea, you can still find "beaches" for sunbathing.

From early July through late August, the Seine River becomes a beach destination. The riverbanks along the Quai de Seine and Quai de Loire are transformed into little resorts, complete with lounge chairs, sun umbrellas, and palm trees. Recreational opportunities include table football, tai chi, and petanque.

Other summertime recreational opportunities (in July and August) include swimming at the Bassin de La Villette , which has three swimming pools with lifeguards, and sports activities at the Jardins du Trocadéro .

Outside of central Paris, the Père Lachaise Cemetery in the 20th arrondissement is the city's most famous and most visited cemetery. This 44-hectare space is the final resting place of many famous men and women, including Honoré de Balzac, Frédéric Chopin, Edith Piaf, Oscar Wilde, and Jim Morrison.

Some of the tombs and graves of the most admired personalities attract a cult following, with flowers and tributes left by visitors on a daily basis.

Address: Cimetière du Père Lachaise, 21 Boulevard de Ménilmontant, 75020 Paris (Métro: Père Lachaise or Philippe Auguste station)

Locals escape to this peaceful oasis when they need a break from urban life. Among Parisians, this park is a favorite place to go for picnics and basking in the sunshine on warm days.

The 25-hectare park has the feeling of an untamed pastoral landscape, in contrast to the typical Parisian formal French gardens, with their orderly rows of flowerbeds and pollarded trees.

This romantic English-style garden features caves, waterfalls, and an artificial lake. Large shady trees and spacious grassy areas invite visitors to pull out a blanket and relax. Some areas of the park offer panoramic city views.

The convivial Rosa Bonheur café serves Mediterranean cuisine on an outdoor terrace. Rosa Bonheur is also known for its musical entertainment and evening dances.

For a gourmet lunch or brunch, Le Pavillon du Lac delights you with its lake views and garden patio. Le Pavillon du Lac is open for lunch and dinner Wednesday through Saturday and for brunch on Sundays.

Address: Parc des Buttes-Chaumont, 1 Rue Botzaris, 75019 Paris

The Grande Arche de la Défense is found in a business district at the end of Avenue Charles-de-Gaulle. This area just outside the city limits of Paris is named La Défense, which recalls the bitter resistance by French forces in this area during the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-1871.

Designed by Johan Otto von Spreckelsen, the Grande Arche makes a striking impression. This huge 110-meter-high rectangular triumphal arch is faced with glass and granite.

The monument was inaugurated in 1989 on the bicentenary of the French Revolution, and the contemporary structure symbolizes France's national value of fraternity. The arch was originally called " La Grande Arche de la Fraternité ".

Address: La Grande Arche, 1 Parvis de la Défense, 92040 Paris (Métro: La Défense)

Deciding where to stay in Paris depends on your taste in hotels and travel preferences.

An abundance of quaint small hotels are scattered throughout the 5th, 6th, and 7th arrondissements, which is also known as the Rive Gauche (Left Bank). Tourists appreciate this area for its central location, excellent restaurants, and lively sidewalk cafés.

The Marais quarter (4th arrondissement) on the Right Bank rivals the Left Bank for old-world charm and trendy ambiance. This neighborhood is filled with magnificent historic palaces and mansions, while enticing boutiques, cozy restaurants, cafés, and tea salons line the quarter's cobblestone streets.

Many luxury hotels are found on the boulevards near the Louvre and the Champs-Élysées, in an area of the 8th arrondissement known as the Triangle d'Or (Golden Triangle) because of its designer fashion boutiques and upscale gourmet restaurants.

Montmartre is farther from most tourist attractions but has a special atmosphere thanks to its bohemian heritage, excellent art museums, and atmospheric pedestrian alleyways. Some of the hotels in this hilltop neighborhood offer sweeping city views.

Here are some highly-rated hotels in these areas of Paris:

Luxury Hotels:

• In the fashionable 8th arrondissement near the Jardins des Champs-Élysées is the five-star Le Bristol Paris . This legendary hotel epitomizes Parisian elegance with sumptuous guest rooms featuring Louis XV or Louis XVI furnishings and tailor-made bed linens. Guests enjoy the courtyard garden, spa, rooftop swimming pool, tea time at Café Antonia, and fine dining at the hotel's Michelin-starred gastronomic restaurant or Michelin-starred brasserie.
• La Réserve Paris - Hotel and Spa is another ultra-luxurious accommodation in the 8th arrondissement near the Champs-Élysées. The five-star hotel occupies a palatial 19th-century mansion decorated in a classical style, yet has the intimate ambiance of a private home. Guests appreciate the top-notch amenities: spa, fitness center, indoor swimming pool, and two gourmet restaurants including a dining room with two Michelin stars.
• Art Deco interiors create an inviting feel at the Four Seasons Hotel George V in the 8th arrondissement. This opulent five-star hotel occupies a landmark building that dates to 1928 and has been beautifully maintained. Guests are pampered by the hotel's amenities: an upscale spa, swimming pool, and three fine-dining options including a vegetarian restaurant. The hotel's gastronomic restaurant, Le Cinq, boasts three Michelin stars.
• The Hôtel Plaza Athénée graces the tree-lined Avenue Montaigne, a prestigious boulevard lined with haute couture boutiques. Housed in a stately Haussmann-style building near the Théâtre des Champs-Elysées, this five-star hotel features plush guest rooms with Art Deco furnishings. Amenities include the Dior Spa, and three dining options, including a garden courtyard restaurant and La Galerie, a salon that serves afternoon tea.

Mid-Range Hotels:

• In the Latin Quarter steps away from the Panthéon, the impeccably maintained Hôtel Résidence Henri IV exudes old-fashioned Parisian charm with its traditional interior decor and balconies overlooking the street. The spacious guest rooms have flat-screen televisions and updated bathrooms; the apartments have kitchenettes. This four-star hotel has a hammam and offers spa treatments. The breakfast (available for an additional charge) includes artisanal and organic products.
• The Relais Christine has a quiet and cozy ambiance, which makes it feel like a family home. This five-star hotel in the Saint-Germain-des-Prés neighborhood is surrounded by cafés, bistros, and restaurants. The tastefully adorned guest rooms feature garden, courtyard, or street views and Nespresso coffee machines. Amenities include an upscale spa, fitness center, breakfast for an additional charge, and room service.
• Near the legendary Boulevard Saint-Germain cafés and a short walk to the Jardin du Luxembourg, the boutique three-star Hôtel Left Bank Saint Germain des Prés occupies an 18th-century building on an ancient street where Molière had a residence. The hotel's suite has a living room with windows that look out onto Notre-Dame Cathedral. A continental breakfast with croissants, café au lait, and fresh-squeezed orange juice is available.
• The charming Relais Médicis is tucked away on a quiet street near the Luxembourg Gardens. This four-star hotel is a welcome retreat from the busy streets of the Saint-Germain neighborhood. The guest rooms blend old-fashioned French country decor with modern amenities. Breakfast (available for an additional charge) includes yogurt, cheese, fresh-squeezed orange juice, coffee, tea, and croissants from a neighborhood bakery.
• Montmartre is considered Paris' most enchanting neighborhood, although it is a Métro ride to the main tourist attractions. A few steps away from the Métro station in the heart of the quarter's narrow, winding streets is Hôtel Le Relais Montmartre . This four-star hotel has quaint guest rooms with vintage-inspired decor. The hotel offers a breakfast buffet (generous for the price) that includes croissants, yogurt, charcuterie, cheese, and fruit.

Budget Hotels:

• The Legend Hotel by Elegancia is conveniently located in the Montparnasse district of the 6th arrondissement (Rive Gauche) and about a 10-minute walk to the Luxembourg Gardens. This cozy three-star boutique hotel has chic contemporary-style rooms. The hotel offers a 24-hour front desk, buffet or continental breakfast (for an additional charge), and concierge services.
• In the Latin Quarter (Rive Gauche) near the Panthéon, the family-run Hôtel Diana has stylish modern rooms with renovated bathrooms and courtyard or city views. Considering the central location and 24-hour front reception desk, this hotel provides excellent value for the price. A continental-style breakfast buffet is available for a small charge.

Paris Sightseeing Overview:

• For first-time visitors, the Paris Big Bus Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour is a good choice. You can decide which monuments you would like to see, such as the Louvre Museum, Notre-Dame Cathedral, the Place de la Concorde, the Champs-Élysées, and the Musée d'Orsay. The tour provides commentary while you're on the bus and includes an entrance ticket to the Arc de Triomphe as well as a short Seine River Cruise.

Hop-on Hop-off Seine River Tour:

• The Hop-on Hop-off Seine River Tour covers the city's highlights by cruising down the Seine River. This self-guided tour allows you to stop at eight different places on the Seine River over a one-day or two-day period. You will have a chance to see the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre Museum, the Musee d'Orsay, the legendary Saint-Germain-des-Prés cafés, the Notre-Dame Cathedral, the Place de la Concorde, and the Hôtel National des Invalides.

Visit the Normandy Battlefields:

• History buffs will want to see the famous World War II battlefields, about a three-hour drive from Paris. One recommended day trip is the Normandy D-Day Beaches Tour . Accompanied by a knowledgeable guide, tourists will see the Omaha and Juno Beaches, and the American Cemetery. The tour also includes a visit to the Arromanches harbor.

Must-See Sights Outside of Paris :

• Another popular outing from Paris is the Versailles and Giverny Day Trip . This full-day excursion explores the vibrant gardens of Giverny, which Monet depicted in many paintings, and the Château de Versailles, Louis XIV's extravagant palace. The tour includes a gourmet lunch at the Moulin de Fourges riverside restaurant, which is housed in an 18th-century mill inspired by Marie-Antoinette's hamlet at Versailles.

Many seasoned travelers say the best months to visit Paris are in the spring (April, May, June), the summer (especially June and the first half of July), and early autumn (September and October) . As a general rule, this is also the best time to visit France.

April is in the off-season , and hotel prices are reduced. The drawback is that the weather is capricious and can be quite chilly or rainy . Average low temperatures are mid-40 degrees Fahrenheit. With some luck, the weather could be refreshingly crisp and sunny. Average highs are low-60 degrees. On the upside, April offers the chance to experience the magic of early spring. Trees begin to bud their first leaves in the parks and lining the avenues. Daffodils and tulips bloom in the gardens.

In May , the weather is still fickle , with a mix of sunny days and chilly or rainy days. The temperature averages range from high 60 degrees to low 50 degrees Fahrenheit. By early May, trees, burgeoning vegetation, and colorful flowers enliven the leafy grounds of the Jardin du Luxembourg, Jardin des Champs-Élysées, Jardin des Plantes, Parc Monceau, Bois de Boulogne, and the Buttes-Chaumont. On warm days, café terraces come back to life.

June is a delightful time to visit Paris because of the balmy weather and long days . Daytime temperatures are comfortable, with high temperature averages in the low 70 degrees. Thanks to Paris' northern latitude, the sun sets at almost 10pm in June. It seems that the entire city is out and about to celebrate the beginning of summer. The sidewalk café scene bustles and there is a sense of joie de vivre in the air.

The first two weeks of July are the most exciting time to visit Paris, with Parisians' anticipation of vacation just around the corner. Plus, the weather starts to feel like summer. The entire month of July is a great time to visit because of warm days with average high temperatures of 70 degrees Fahrenheit.

July and August are the hottest months of the year in Paris. August also has average high temperatures of 70 degrees Fahrenheit. However, travelers should keep in mind that many shops and restaurants close in August when Parisians leave for summer holidays after the Fête Nationale (Bastille Day) on July 14th.

September is a marvelous time to visit Paris because the weather is still pleasant , yet it is in the off-season , so hotels are more affordable, and tourist attractions are less crowded. Similar to the springtime, September promises a mix of weather, with some sunny days and some rain. The average high temperatures are low-70 degrees Fahrenheit and average low temperatures are mid-50 degrees Fahrenheit.

Another good time to visit is October which is in the off-season . October weather can be chilly. The daytime high-temperature averages start to dip into the 60s Fahrenheit and the average low temperature is 48 degrees.

Tips for What to Wear : For a Paris vacation in April, May, September, or October, travelers should pack layers and bring sweaters, a jacket, raincoat, boots, and an umbrella. In June and July, the weather is warm enough for summer dresses and short-sleeve shirts. Packing requirements during the late fall and winter months (November through March) include heavy coats, scarves, wool hats, gloves, warm socks, and boots.

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Easy Paris Day Trips: There are many wonderful places to visit within easy reach from Paris . Just outside the Paris metropolitan area is a tranquil rural landscape that is rich in cultural treasures: lovely little villages, historic castles, splendid churches, and interesting medieval towns. A must-see destination is the Château de Versailles , the 17th-century palace of Louis XIV (the "Sun King").

For those who prefer cities to the countryside, several worthwhile destinations are just a one- to two-hour train ride away: the elegant and cultured city of Lille (one hour by TGV train) with its distinct Flemish character, the delightful town of Amiens (about one hour and 30 minutes by train), and Lyon (two hours by TGV train) known as the gastronomic heart of France.

Adored by tourists for its perfectly preserved medieval ambiance, picturesque canals, and enticing chocolate shops, atmospheric Bruges (two hours 30 minutes by train) is simple to visit even though the train crosses the border into Belgium.

Historic Sites in Normandy: The scenic Normandy region wows visitors with its natural beauty and fascinating history. Along its dramatic coastline are the Landing Beaches of World War Two, and nearby are military cemeteries and memorial museums. One of the top attractions of France and Normandy's most visited site is Mont Saint-Michel , a UNESCO-listed medieval pilgrimage site with a sublime 12th-century abbey church. Tourists will also enjoy discovering the historic town of Rouen , with its marvelous cathedral, handsome half-timbered houses, and abundance of Gothic churches.

Gorgeous Castles and Pastoral Landscapes: The fairy-tale Loire Valley landscape is home to the most magnificent Renaissance châteaux in France. With a lush natural environment of woodlands and rivers, this enchanting region is designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The naturally beautiful region of Brittany boasts a wild, rugged coastline, with many idyllic fishing villages and an unspoiled countryside with medieval castles. The Burgundy region is dotted with historic towns such as Dijon , quaint villages, ancient abbeys, and Romanesque churches.

More on France

31 Fun Facts About Paris

By: Author Christine Rogador

Posted on Published: November 3, 2023  - Last updated: November 4, 2023

Do you want to know some fun facts about Paris, France?

Paris is a romantic city and considered the cultural capital of Europe, known all over the world for the Eiffel Tower , the Louvre Museum , and Notre-Dame Cathedral . It is also never short of gastronomic delights.

RELATED READ : Is Paris Expensive? What You Need To Know (2023)

There’s no doubt that the French capital is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. It has been attracting visitors since they lit the streets with gas a few hundred years ago, making it the “City of Light.”

Read on to find out more fun facts about Paris you probably didn’t know.

Things you'll find in this article

• 1. Paris is dubbed the “City of Light” (“La Ville Lumière”) for two reasons

2. Paris is one of the most visited cities in the world

3. paris’ former name was “lutèce”, 4. there are around 130 museums within the city limits of paris, 5. the world’s largest museum is in paris, 6. various street names in the 14th-century paris were inspired by the french word for “shit”, 7. the bloody mary cocktail was invented in paris., 8. tourists whose expectations paris could not meet develop a syndrome, 9. paris said “no” to tom cruise, 10. paris metro is europe’s second busiest underground network, 11. paris is such a great dog-lover that there is one dog for every seven parisians, 12. there are 5 replicas of the statue of liberty in paris, 13. there is an underground city in paris, 14. there isn’t a single “stop sign” in paris, 15. paris has 421 municipal parks, 16. paris is the world’s fashion capital, 17. the most visited place in paris is the notre dame cathedral, 18. there are more than 6100 streets in paris, 19. the first taken picture of a human being was in paris, 20. paris’ point zero is the notre dame, 21. pont neuf is the oldest bridge in paris, 22. the famous painting in paris was once stolen, 23. paris’ first café has been in operation for 90 years, 24. travelers will go to paris just for a discounted skin care, 25. tree counting is an official job in paris, 26. women in paris were not permitted to wear pants until 2012, 27. 20,000 light bulbs of the eiffel tower illuminate the landmark every night, 28. disneyland paris is not part of paris, 29. père-lachaise is the most visited cemetery in the world, 30. the eiffel tower has a total of 1,665 steps from the ground to the top, 31. the first to use the camouflage uniform were the french soldiers, travel tips and resources.

1. Paris is dubbed the “City of Light” ( “La Ville Lumière” ) for two reasons

The French capital is often referred to as the “ La Ville Lumière ” or the “City of Light” for a couple of reasons.

First is because of its leading role in the arts and sciences during the Age of Enlightenment, an intellectual and philosophical movement in Europe in the 17th and 18th centuries that affected and influenced the world. At the time, Paris was the center of an explosion of philosophic and scientific activity.

The second reason is more literal. Because the city was one of the first in the continent to use the early system of street lighting on a grand scale. Paris used gas to light its boulevards and monuments.

Between 30 and 40 million visitors, both French and foreign, come to Paris every year. The top 5 foreign nationalities who visit the French capital are Americans, British, Germans, Chinese, and Spanish.

Founded by a Gallic tribe called “Parisii” in around the middle of the 3rd century BCE, the town of Lutèce – Lutetia Parisiorum in Latin, or simply Lutetia – was the predecessor of the modern-day Paris. It was at the intersection of land and water trade routes on the River Seine, conquered by the Romans in the 1st century BCE who rebuilt into a Roman city.

It was in the 5th century that Lutèce or Lutetia became the capital of the dynasty of French kings, and from there it became known as “Parisius” or “Paris.” The city has kept the name since.

Did you know how just many museums you can explore in Paris? Around 130, including those within the “Grand Paris” area. The most famous of these are the Louvre, Orsay, Rodin, and Picasso Museums – all are must-visit in Paris.

The Louvre is the world’s biggest museum and art gallery, housing over 38,000 pieces of art within its walls. These include da Vinci’s Mona Lisa , the most famous painting ever.

The Louvre Museum is so big that if you spent 10 seconds on each piece showcased there, you would be staying there for over a month before you’re done.

The Louvre is also the most visited museum in the world, with an average of around 10 million visitors coming and going every year.

During the early 14th century, Paris and other European cities had collected so much filth that Paris started naming streets after human waste. Several Parisian street names were named after the French word merde , which means “shit.” Some of these streets were rue Merdeux, rue Merdusson, rue Merdiere, rue Merdelet, and rue des Merdons.

Did you know that the famous “Bloody Mary” cocktail was invented in Paris? At the Paris Ritz Hotel, specifically.

According to legend, the cocktail that sounds British was made for the famous American novelist Ernest Hemingway, who requested for an alcoholic drink that didn’t smell like one. And guess what? He got vodka mixed with tomato juice, and – voila! – Bloody Mary was born.

It’s an extreme form of culture shock called “Paris Syndrome.” It is that sense of extreme disappointment felt by some individuals visiting Paris, who think that the city did not meet their (most probably unrealistic) expectations.

While having inappropriate expectations of Paris is fairly common, the chances of suffering from Paris Syndrome are very small. Only an average of 20 cases are reported per year, Japanese tourists being the most affected. In Japan, it’s called “Pari shōkōgun.”

Paris Syndrome is characterized by a set of symptoms which include delusions and hallucinations, derealization, depersonalization, anxiety, and feelings of persecution, as well as vomiting, sweating, dizziness, and tachycardia.

When Hollywood A-lister Tom Cruise requested to become an honorary citizen of Paris in 2005, the city government passed a resolution to block the move due to the American actor’s affiliation with Scientology. France has classified the controversial religious organization as a cult and cults are not acceptable for the French government.

About 5 million commuters use Paris Metro, the city’s underground train, every day. This is the easiest and most popular way for locals to get around the city.

In Europe, the Paris Metro tails behind the busiest underground network – the Moscow Metro in Russia which serves from 7 to over 9 million passengers daily.

… and they are allowed in most establishments.

Dog population in Paris is over 300,000 and humans 2.1 million. That’s one pooch for every seven Parisians.

These dogs are allowed entry in places normally reserved for humans only such as shops (except food stores and open-air markets), bars, restaurants, and public transport, as well as offices and salons.

Ironically, however, majority of parks and green spaces in Paris prohibit them. But they are allowed in the Parc Montsouris – on a leash – as well as the south end of Luxembourg Gardens, the north end of the Tuileries, and the paved paths of Parc des Buttes-Chaumont. At Champ de Mars, they can roam everywhere except the grass.

Dogs are allowed only in the café terraces only the Louvre. And no, they can’t go to the Eiffel Tower unless they’re with their disabled humans.

Hundreds of replicas of New York City’s famous Statue of Liberty are found all over the world. In France, they can be found in different locations – in Saint-Cyr-sur-Mer, Bordeaux, Poitiers, Chaumont, Lunel, Roybon, Nice, Barentin, Châteauneuf-la-Forêt, Colmar, and of course – Paris.

The most famous replica of the Statue of Liberty in France is in the city center of Paris, near the Grenelle Bridge on the Île aux Cygnes in the River Seine. It was a gift from America to France in 1889, to commemorate 100 years since the French Revolution.

In 1900, a smaller replica of the statue was created and now stands in the entrance hall to the Musée d’Orsay. There is a bronze replica of this particular model in the Jardin du Luxembourg.

Another Statue of Liberty is housed in an industrial museum in the Rue Réaumur in the 3rd arrondissement of Paris, called Musée des Arts et Métiers (Museum of Arts and Crafts).

The Flame of Liberty, a life-size copy of the Statue of Liberty’s torch, is on the entrance to the Pont de l’Alma tunnel. Since 1997, it has become a memorial to Princess Diana, who died in a car crash in the tunnel that year.

One of the most interesting facts about Paris is that there is an Underground City in it, the Catacombs, a network of underground passageways and ossuaries.

The Catacombs, situated beneath the streets of Paris, are a glimpse into the city’s past and an eyewitness account of the thousands of people who have spent their lives there throughout the years.

Hidden limestone quarries stretching back centuries underneath the city, centered on the south bank of the Seine, provided the stone for Paris’ renowned monuments such as Notre Dame.

The French capital, unlike many other French cities, doesn’t have a stop sign. There’s no need to wander the streets of Paris looking for one; the city removed them all in 2016. Instead, there are several traffic signals that control the flow of traffic.

Vehicles in Paris are not allowed to come to a full stop at an intersection that does not have a traffic light. At all intersections, particularly traffic circles, cars on the right side of the highway have the right of way. Although there are many traffic signs in Paris, there are no stop signs.

Today, Paris boasts over 421 municipal parks and gardens spanning over 3000 hectares and housing over 265,000 trees.

Paris’s various parks and gardens, whether regal, hidden, places to wander or picnic, provide a wide range of options and may be found across the city!

There’s no denying that Paris is the most glamorous city in the world. There is a prominent fashion institute, renowned fashion schools, outstanding fashion firms and ateliers, and exhibits in this fashion center. King Louis XIV’s reign heralded the start of Paris’ fashion power.

For the last three centuries, Paris has ruled the high seas of fashion. During this period, it has drawn the world’s top designers and appears to have instilled in its residents an instinctive sense of style.

Notre Dame de Paris was founded in the 12th century. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site, together with the Paris Banks of the Seine, and is one of the most beloved landmarks in the world, with over 12 million visitors each year prior to the fire.

Despite its difficulties, Notre Dame continues to represent the soul of Paris. The majesty and timeless presence of the cathedral evoke admiration and awe in all who see it.

Because there are in fact more than 6,100 streets in Paris, it is quite easy to become disoriented. The streets are not necessarily the same length; some are short, while others are wide.

Even numbers will always appear on the right side of the street on Paris streets parallel to the river, as the passer-by turn their backs on the river and walk away from it. Odd numbers, on the other hand, are positioned on the left side of the roadway.

Louis Daguerre’s snapshot of a Paris street scene, taken in 1838, depicts a guy standing in the Boulevard du Temple having his shoes cleaned. It is usually thought to be the oldest surviving image of human individuals.

If the motions were too quick for the daguerreotype to capture, a recognizable human figure remained immobile enough to be immortalized. A guy may be seen cleaning his shoes to the left of the image. The shoe-shine boy appears as well, albeit he is indistinct.

This is the exact location of Paris’s center. The distance to other locations in France may be calculated precisely from Le Point Zéro. This is where you put your marker if you’d like to get an idea of how far Montpellier is from Paris.

A little geographic marker placed in the concrete of the public area outside Notre Dame Cathedral is used to calculate the distance from Paris to all other locations.

However, rather than being a dry sign of measurement, the location popularly referred to as Paris Point Zero has attracted an unexpected number of local customs.

Surprisingly, despite its name, the Pont Neuf (New Bridge) is the city’s oldest bridge. At the start of its construction, a bridge was the first to span the Seine altogether, the first to be made completely of stone, and the earliest street to propose a pedestrian walkway.

Your pals will love hearing this amusing tidbit about Paris as much as we do!

Have you ever heard a contentious Parisian fact? On August 21, 1911, a guy named Vincenzo Peruggia perpetrated a historic art crime that went down in history.

He stole the world’s most renowned artwork, Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa, from the museum known as the Louvre in Paris.

The first café in Paris was established in 1672, but it was not until nearly 15 years afterward, when LeProcope opened, that the café became something of a cultural landmark in Parisian society.

Le Procope is Paris’s oldest as well as the most cutting-edge café. This historic Saint-Germain-des-Prés café claims to be Paris’s oldest café, as ancient as A La Petite Chais.

One of the most intriguing facts about Paris is that people would fly to the French city in the hopes of saving money on skin care.

Caudalie and many other French cosmetic brands are substantially cheaper in France than in the United States since the firm does not have to pay any import taxes or customs.

Can’t seem to find work? I believe Paris is the place for you! Yes, you read that correctly; it is one of the most amazing facts about Paris.

The official count currently stands at 490,000 trees, and many more are expected to be planted in the future years! This makes Paris one of Europe’s best-treed cities.

It has been essentially forbidden for a woman to be allowed to wear trousers in Paris while not having a police license since 1800. Women using horses or bicycles were granted exemption a little over a century ago. Otherwise, the bylaw was still in effect.

Women were not permitted to wear pants or any sort of men’s attire unless they obtained permission from the police, according to a Parisian ordinance established in the 1800s.

Throughout the French Revolution, Parisian women demanded the right to wear pants, and working-class rebels were often referred to as “sans-culottes” for wearing trousers rather than the bourgeoisie’s favored silk-knee breeches.

The glittering appearance of Paris’ Eiffel Tower is achieved by no fewer than 20,000 lamps flashing at a very high rate.

Camera flashes inspired this effect! Pierre Bideau, a lighting engineer, devised the monument’s current illumination. Light beams sent from the bottom to the top illuminate the Eiffel Tower from within its framework.

They have been showcasing the exquisite metallic construction of the landmark and illuminating the regions utilized by late-night visitors when they replaced the 1,290 functional projectors that lit the Tower from the outside.

Doesn’t it sound puzzling? It’s true. That’s why it’s included in our list of Paris Fun Facts! Disneyland Paris is a well-known theme park and resort in Chessy, France. The park is renowned as Europe’s most visited theme park and is located just 40 minutes outside of Paris.

The cost of a Disneyland Paris ticket ranges from $66 to $154. These rates, however, may vary based on the type of ticket you select and – if you want to travel for numerous days – your complete vacation package.

Père-Lachaise is a famous tourist attraction in Paris , noted for its tombs of notable personalities, and is sometimes referred to be the world’s most visited cemetery.

At 44 hectares, it is the biggest cemetery in Paris, France. It is the world’s most-traveled necropolis, with over 3.5 million people every year.

Light a candle and place flowers in front of the person you adore. There are other historical sites to examine, with styles spanning three centuries.

From the bottom of the Eiffel Tower, climb the steps to the second floor. That equates to 674 steps! The Eiffel Tower has 1665 steps from the esplanade to the top, although the stairway from the 2nd floor towards the top is not available to the public.

The tower is divided into three floors with viewing platforms at about 200, 400, and 900 feet, which are linked by elevators and steps. However, there isn’t a single elevator that goes directly to the top. To reach there, use an elevator to the second floor (or climb 775 steps).

Camouflage was invented in 1914 in France by designer Lucien-Victor Guirand de Scévola along with others. The subject’s dramatic aspect led artists to take part in efforts to conceal military troops and activity. The Americans arrived later, after the British.

Camouflage for weapons and locations was fully developed for use in the military by the French, and the rest of World War I forces quickly followed suit. Artists had the opportunity to serve as camouflage officers during both World Wars.

Where to stay in Paris

Travel Insurance: I never leave home without travel insurance. My personal opinion is if you can afford to travel, you can afford to buy a travel insurance. All things can happen while on the road and you can never be too sure. And it's something that you'll be glad to have when you need it. For my preferred travel insurance, I use Safety Wing .

What To Wear: If you want some ideas on what to pack for France, check out this packing list guide for France .

Where To Stay: I personally use Booking.com for all my accommodations. Check out for their latest deals here .

Reading Resources: Check out our best reading resources here .

Hi, I’m Christine – a full-time traveler and career woman. Although I’m from the Philippines, my location independent career took me to over 40 countries and lived in 4 continents in the last 10 years, including France. A self-proclaimed Francophile, I love everything France.

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• 17 Things About Visiting Paris...

17 Things About Visiting Paris No One Tells You

If you are planning a visit or becoming a resident of Paris , you will find everything you need in this charming city. The fashion capital of the world, the city has a long history of art and a rich culture. From museums to restaurants, cafés, and parks, the city offers endless activities to experience French culture. You may have heard rumors and clichés, so here are our list of things about visiting Paris no one tells you until it’s too late.

1. Crossing red lights

For Parisians, the cross lights seem to be a suggestion, which is open to interpretation. You are welcome to wait for them to turn green, it is up to you, but most Parisian pedestrians become experts in physics as they learn how to calculate the precise time and speed of an approaching car to get to the other side of the street.

2. Paris is covered by a cloud of cigarette smoke

3. Bonjour, Merci, Pardon, Bonsoir and repeat

Like any other city, Paris has clear standards of etiquette. Locals are polite to each other in their everyday social interactions, keeping a civic harmony on the streets. For example, it is perfectly normal for the bus driver to smile and greet all the passengers with a ‘ Bonjour .’ If you are visiting Paris or living here, make sure you remember the words ‘ pardon’ (I’m sorry/excuse me) for when you want to get the attention of a stranger, and ‘s ’il vous plait ’ (please) when asking for something.

4. Appreciate the beauty but keep off the grass

There are enough parks and gardens in Paris to visit each day of the month. The grass looks so perfectly green and welcoming, ideal for a picnic on a sunny day or for laying down with a good book under a tree’s shade. Unfortunately, certain parks like the Jardin des Tuileries , are kept untouched and clean. Sitting on the grass is forbidden, disappointing all those who were ready to have a piquenique à la française . This is, however, the reason behind why many Parisian parks are so alluring.

5. The French do speak English

A couple of years ago, tourists visiting Paris found it hard to communicate with the locals due to the language barrier, since very few of them spoke English. Hence, the popular belief that the French don’t speak any English. However, with the growing influence of American culture along with the internet, more Parisians are Anglophone. Although they are not big fans of the English language and mostly prefer speaking their native, they will make an effort to understand you and make themselves understood if you ask politely or even better, if you ask in French.

6. The French are not rude

It’s true that most locals won’t go out of their way to help or socialize with lost foreigners, but if you ask for help there will always be someone willing to assist you. As mentioned above, they are publicly polite to each other which, contrary to being rude, portrays them as respectful and unobtrusive. Parisians working in the tourism industry deal with all types of tourists, including disrespectful ones too that neglect the city’s culture and laws, as it happens in any big city with a constant flux of tourists. Therefore, you might come across locals who don’t appreciate misbehaving tourists and might seem impolite.

7. Cheese, wine, and bread mean much more to the French than you thought

Aside from the large amounts of cheese displayed at the supermarkets, you can also find an extensive variety at fromageries, yes, there are specialized cheese stores. Made from cow, sheep or goat’s milk, you will hear names that you’ve never heard before, and what is even more fascinating is the fact that each cheese has its own history and place of origin. Good cheese always tastes better with a freshly baked bread bought early from a b oulangerie (bakery). This combination can only be improved with the excellent assortment of French wines. If you like red, white, rosé, sparkling or fortified or if you prefer it dry, semi-dry or sweet, you will always be able to accompany your food with an exquisite wine of your taste.

8. It’s very easy to move around

If you don’t have a phone with a GPS, Paris might seem like a maze for newcomers. With 20 districts and streets sharing very similar names that are impossible to pronounce. No matter where you get lost, you will eventually see a Metro sign or bus station with a big map of the city. As long as you know your destination, getting around with public transportation is easy regardless of the language you speak. There are also public bikes with stations close to one another, a convenient alternative to getting the metro whilst being physically active.

9. Fashion is within

Paris is the capital of fashion and Parisians honor their title. Walking on the streets during work days, you will see men in well-fitted suits, and women in dresses, high heels, and chic bags rushing in the metro. In the summer, women dress in light colors, flappy skirts, and open shoes, while during the winter, stylish coats and scarfs reign the public spaces. Being fashionable is an inherited trait, as parents dress their kids with unique styles and designer clothes. Parisians are well prepared all year round to look their best even if it’s only to go to the supermarket on a Sunday morning.

10. Most Parisians wearing high couture don’t go on shopping sprees

You were probably wondering how it is possible for the average Parisian to own expensive clothes and bags? In fact, most locals shop during the famous ventes privées, private sales that fashion houses arrange every end-of-season to sell what they have left at the lowest prices. If you are an old-time resident, you will probably be added to the brand’s lists and if you are new in town you can always follow your favorite designer’s Facebook page or sign up for their newsletter and you will be part of this private shopping frenzy.

11. The dilemma between staying hydrated and having to pay for the bathroom

As long as you are consuming at a restaurant and you need to use the bathroom you won’t have a problem. However, if you drank too much and find yourself away from home, you will be asked to pay (usually) around 50 cents to use any establishment’s toilette. Don’t expect the bathrooms to be cleaner just because you paid, the half euro is only worth it because it will avoid what could be a catastrophe.

12. Good Food Nation

Eating quality food is a top priority for the French, regardless of the meal or time of day. Portions are neither big nor small, they are the perfect size to be satisfying. Eating is both individually and socially significant. Because food can be regarded as a source of personal satisfaction and social interaction, brunch , lunch or dinner are the ideal moments when these two necessities are fulfilled. A delightful meal starts with good company, followed by a flavorful bottle of wine and is completed by a delicious dish.

13. But eating is expensive…

If you really want to indulge in one of the many appetizing restaurants in Paris , you must be willing to pay for what you eat. Eating in this city is not about the fulfillment of biological needs but an authentic experience through which you can explore the culture better. All food, but especially cakes, cookies, and croissants make the p atisseries and b oulangeries look like art exhibitions. So next time you are debating on whether you should pay for a fancy dinner, remember you are buying much more than just food.

14. Runner Friendly

Running is not exclusive to Paris, every city has its parks and trails where people can run outdoors, but there is something about Paris that is different. First of all, most sidewalks are wide enough so that you don’t have to be extra cautious not to hit anyone with your sweaty arm or be run over by a fast biker. Secondly, there is a wide selection of beautiful parks that once inspired philosophers, writers, and artists, and will definitely win your heart over while you run. And lastly, on sunny days, when the sky is clear, instead of looking at your watch, you can look up and appreciate the slow change in colors of the sky and clouds, especially around sunset. The scenery is so magnificent that by the end of your run you will be out of breath.

15. Get your groceries no later than Monday

Be sure you have everything you need from the food market by Sunday, otherwise, you won’t be able to get fresh fruits and vegetables. Monday is one of the two official days for market sellers to rest and fuel up for the following week.

16. Art extends to the streets

Paris has some of the most fascinating art museums in the world with unique pieces from French and international artists. However, you can also enjoy a cultural trip without having to go to museums and galleries. The French capital has become an important hub for emerging street art and graffiti artists, so keep an eye out when strolling through the streets.

17. The Western weight-loss trends and diets are not very popular in the French capital

Most Parisians look slim and healthy because they eat when they need to and keep an overall balanced diet that includes all food groups. They have good genes which they maintain by eating in moderation. By Noa Radosh

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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.

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• Europe / Travel Facts

100 Fascinating, Fun, and Strange Facts about Paris

Published May 20, 2023 · Updated May 20, 2023

Fact : Paris is one of the most famous tourist destinations in the world . This popular city known for its culture, landmarks, cuisine, and museums is the centre of finance, fashion, science, and arts in France. Read on to discover over 100 Paris facts , that are both highly engaging and entertaining, whether for interest sake or in preparation of an upcoming trip…

Bienvenue a Paris!

Even though Paris is well known around the world, a city as old as this one is guaranteed to have a handful of compelling stories , hidden gems, and captivatingly interesting facts about Paris worth knowing.

What is Paris famous for? The city is world renowned for its large number of cultural and historic sites , centuries-old churches , rich art , museums , palaces , gardens, prominent landmarks , and of course the Eiffel Tower . Famous as the fashion capital of the world , it is also known for its cafe culture , innovative eateries, delicious cuisine, and French pastries. In addition, this beautiful metropolis along a picturesque river is said to be boldly romantic as the city of love that engenders daydreams.

The City of Lights is however, more than a collection of famous landmarks, major museums, and picturesque streets. With its long history and rich culture, Paris is fascinating. Learn about the city, its traditions, its customs, its people, and its secrets with these 100 facts about Paris France! I’m almost certain you’ll learn a lot of things about Paris…

Find the complete list of fun facts in Paris ⇓ Let’s get into it….

Here are 100 things about Paris to know .

>> Discover more information on Paris. Read next:

• The BEST Hotels in Paris with a view of the Eiffel Tower
• 200 dreamy quotes about Paris
• 10 of the best secret views in Paris

Quick Paris Facts

Capital city of France Location:  Northern central France along the Seine River Continent: Europe Coordinates: 48.8566° N, 2.3522° E Official Language: French  Population: 2,102,650 (May 2023) 11,208,440 if the suburbs are included National Federation Holiday: July 14 (Bastille Day) Population density:  119 per square kilometres (309 people per square mile) Median age:  42.3 years old Total area: 105,4 square kilometres (40,7 square miles) including metropolitan area 2,300 square km (890 square miles) Lowest point: 24 meters (80 feet) above sea level along the Seine Highest point: 148 meters (486 feet) above sea level at Belleville System of government: Democracy Religion: Christianity (Roman Catholics 61%) GDP:  €909 billion ($984 billion)  Currency: Euro (previously until 2002 French Franc) International dialling code: +33 Time Zone: GMT+2 Central European

I’m sure it’s no surprise to hear that…

Paris is one of the most visited cities in the world

Every year, over 45 million people from around the world travel to the city to experience its sights, sounds, and tastes – making it one of the most popular destinations.

Did you know that…

There are 38 cities named “Paris” across the world

… from Panama, to South Africa and the United States . However, none compare to thé Paris.

One fifth of the entire population of France lives in the Paris metropolitan area

Since its founding, the population of Paris has grown from a couple thousand to over two million Parisians, going up and down over the centuries. The population of central Paris is currently at 2,102,650. The greater metropolitan area of Paris, the region of Ile de France, has an estimated population of over 11 million people.

Did you know?

Paris gave the world many everyday things:

• The metric system
• Street lights
• Photography
• The concept of a restaurant
• Going to the movies
• Stethoscope
• Style and haute couture

>> Read on to discover all the details about facts in Paris

>> Read next in this series: 

• Is Bora Bora a country?
• 100+ fascinating facts about Mexico to know before you go
• Interesting Dominican Republic facts to know  about this Caribbean island
• Dubai facts : From the weird to the wonderful
• Super cool facts about Hawaii worth knowing
• Mind blowing facts about Australia

Interesting Facts about Paris

>> I could really go into detail and give you 1,000 facts about Paris information, but here are the best ones.

Paris is often referred to as the City of Light

Or “La Ville Lumière” in French. How did it get this name?

The “ City of Light ” was a result of the the city becoming the epicentre for the exchange of ideas and the home to a large number of intellectuals. For centuries, Paris has attracted scientists and philosophers to writers and and artists who have been drawn to this city and have made a large number of contributions to society from the 17th century and beyond. Lights , in this case refers to the high concentration of intellectuals living in Paris.

Speaking of light, a fun fact about Paris is that…

It was the very first city in the world to contain street lights

Way back in the 1500s, residents of this city who lived in a house facing a street were required by law to place a lamp in the window so that people in the streets could see in the dark. In the 1860s, 56,000 gas lamps were placed around the city to illuminate its promenades and boulevards, presenting a striking nighttime view. The city was also one of the very first to have electricity.

Paris goes by a lot of other names too

These include The City of Love, the City of Art, the Fashion Capital.

The Eiffel Tower wasn’t always popular and was meant to be temporary

Yeah, you read that right. Built in 1889 for the World’s Fair exhibition, the Eiffel Tower was meant to be demolished in 1909, 20 years after its inauguration. However, during this time, it gained popularity as well as its function for conducting wireless signals and radio waves. When the plans for the tower were presented, it was referred to as a useless monstrosity by various intellectual figures accompanied by a petition of protest. Fortunately, the construction went ahead anyway.

To see every piece of artwork in the Louvre you’d need 35 days nonstop

This is because the museum lists a total of 460,000 pieces with “only” 35,000 available to the public on display which is only a fraction of the entire collection.

All distances from Paris are measured from a compass at Notre Dame

This small brass marks the centre of the city and from which all distances from Paris are measured. It is said to bring good luck to all who spin around on this star. To find this compass, it is located right outside the cathedral.

Speaking of Notre Dame, take note that :

The Notre Dame is the most visited monument/attraction in Paris and all of France

The Notre-Dame cathedral can be found in the heart of Paris on Ile de la Cité. Built between 1163 and 1345, the cathedral is over 800 years old and is widely considered to be the best example of French Gothic architecture. It is built on the ruins of two historic churches and one ancient Gallo-Roman temple with the foundation stone laid by Pope Alexander III back in the 12th century. Everyone from royalty to resident contributed to the construction of the cathedral by way of money, time, or labour.  Before the recent fire in 2019, it was visited by more than 14 million visitors each year. This makes it the most visited sight in Paris.

The main bell of Notre Dame weighs over 13 tons

Named Emmanuel, it is sounded for the main Catholic holidays and for other significant events. Speaking of bells, a lot of them from the cathedral have been melted down and used for artillery during the French Revolution. 

Inside Notre Dame you will notice one of the oldest organs in the world, dating all the way back to 1330.

Paris is so pretty, so it should not come as a surprise to hear that…

There are on average around 10 films or commercial shoots happening in Paris every day

Despite this, no fees are charged to the film crew for shooting. The exceptions to this are when shooting scenes in a museum, swimming pool, or garden.

Paris holds the world record for least number of stop signs

And that number is 0. There was one stop sign somewhere in the 16th arrondissement, but that disappeared in 2014. The traffic rules state that cars on the right side always have the right-of-way at intersections. 

Interesting to note that…

There is a statue of Liberty in Paris

Not just one, but five. The most famous of these can be found next to the Pont de l’Alma on an island in the middle of the Seine. It symbolises the friendship between France and the USA and faces the state of liberty in New York.

Historical Facts of Paris

>> Let’s go way back in time to take a look at some highly interesting facts of Paris history.

Paris is older than you think: 2,300 years

How old? Well, bones that were discovered in the Paris region date all the way back to 8000 BC. 

The city began in the 3rd century BC when a Celtic tribe called the Parisii built a settlement on an island in the Seine (what is now Ile de la Cité) and on the banks of the river.

Ready for a little history lesson?

Paris was originally called Lutetia

During the year 52 BC, the Romans under the leadership of Julius Caesar, conquered the territory and built a town along the river, calling it Lutetia Parisiorum or “Lutetia of the Parisii.” It developed into a prosperous city with Roman baths, forums, temples , and theatres.

The city was Christianised in the 3rd century AD that became known according to its Latin name, Parisius. Following the collapse of the Roman Empire, it was occupied by Clovis I, the King of the Franks, who made it his capital in the year 508.

Paris officially became the capital of France in 987 AD.

Many, many years of turmoil, invasion and fires destroyed much of what was built during the Middle Ages, but you can still visit what little remains of that period like the Notre Dame and La Sainte Chapelle on Île de la Cité, the oldest areas of the city. A few timber houses, built in the 14th century, can be found in Le Marais, which was originally a swamp.

The French Renaissance period made Paris the center of art, architecture and science

This continued from the late 15th century up to the early 17th century and still remains to inspire people today.

Throughout history artists from around the world have made Paris their home

Just to name a few: Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dali, Claude Monet, Ernest Hemingway, James Joyce, Gertrude Stein, Marie Antoinette, Henri Matisse, Jean-Paul Sartre

The biggest festival in the city is Bastille Day on July 14

During the summer of 1789, Paris became the centre of the French Revolution and on July 14 a group got hold of the arsenal (including thousands of guns) at the Invalides and stormed the Bastille prison. This was the first of a series of key actions by the Parisian people during the French Revolution. On July 15 the first independent Paris city council met in Hotel de Ville and elected a mayor.  Bastille Day is a celebration of this event and also one of the biggest holidays in France. The event comprises a military parade along the Champs-Élysées, from the Arc de Triomphe to Place de la Concorde. This is followed by a flypast by the Patrouille de France and a colorful fireworks display in the evening, the most spectacular being the one at the La Tour Eiffel.

The construction of the Arc de Triomphe took 30 years to finish on the instruction of Napoleon

Commissioned in 1806, he wanted to build a grand triumphal arch to celebrate his troops, the Grand Armée. It was only completed in 1836 and stands 50 metres high and 45 metres wide.  You will find the tomb of the Unknown Soldier of World War I beneath the arch and engraved along the walls of the arch are the names of 558 French generals of the First French Empire. Speaking of Napoleon, France’s only modern emperor, you may be interested to know that he was also responsible for completing the Louvre, building Rue de Rivoli, Elise de la Madeleine, and additionally for supplying Parisian households with fresh water . 

Tourism Facts in Paris

There are so many things about Paris that include iconic monuments, world-class museums, and historic sights. Top attractions include the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, the Basilica of Sacre Coeur, the Louvre Museum, and Arc de Triomphe. 

Other places to visit are Sainte Chapelle, the Grand Palais, Jardin du Luxembourg, Musée d’Orsay, and Centre Pompidou.

With international spending exceeding $10 billion each year, the City of Paris is an important economic factor in French tourism.

Interestingly, the Greater Paris are has over 2,000 hotels with a total capacity of 120,000 rooms. The city is also very well known for its luxury and grand hotels, with a total of 85 five-star hotels. In addition, over 80,000 homes are registered with Airbnb. 

Where to stay in Paris? Check out this list of the: Hotels with amazing views of the Eiffel Tower

The Eiffel Tower is NOT the most visited attraction in Paris

You want some numbers? Well, around 7 million people visit the Eiffel Tower each year. That is 25,000 visitors who get to enjoy the view from the top of the tower each day. In comparison, the cathedral Notre Dame receives more than 14 million visitors per year. This is followed by the Sacre Coeur, the Louvre, and the Eiffel Tower comes in at fourth place.

Here are some other interesting Paris facts about the Eiffel Tower:

It took 2 years, 2 months, and 5 days to complete la Tour Eiffel

This was made official on 31 March 1889. Comprising 18,000 pieces of iron and 2,5 million rivets, it weighs 10,100 tonnes. How may elephants is that? The tower was designed by Emile Nougueier and Maurice Koechlin. How does Gustave Eiffel fit in? Well, he only bought the right to patent and invest in the tower. Why does he get all the credit?

At that time…

The Eiffel Tower was the tallest structure in the world

It held this title for 41 years, standing 324 metres high, until 1930 on completion of the Chrysler Building in New York City. 

The Eiffel Tower changes height in extreme weather conditions

This usually happens in the summer with high temperatures causing the thermal expansion of the metal and resulting in a height difference of up to 6 inches or 18 cm.

The Eiffel Tower is the most valuable landmark in Europe

This world famous landmark has an estimated worth of 435 billion Euros to the French economy.

Repainting of the Eiffel Tower is done by hand

It takes 60 tons of paint. The tower has been painted 18 times since its initial construction, at an average of once every seven years. Paint colours have ranged from red to yellow-brown to chestnut brown before the adoption of the current, specially mixed Eiffel Tower Brown in 1968.

It takes 1,665 steps to the top of the Eiffel Tower

Elevator anyone? Strangely enough, Hitler who visited Paris during the WW II was never able to get to the top of the Eiffel as intended because the French cut the cables to the elevator as a symbol of defiance. If Hitler wanted to reach the top he would have had to climb those 1,665 steps and he chose not to.  Speaking of Hitler, shortly before the liberation of Paris, he gave the order to destroy the Eiffel Tower. Fortunately, the general in charge loved the city too much and decided to ignore this order. 

It is illegal to distribute images of the Eiffel Tower at night

This is because the 20,000 light bulbs are considered a work of art with the copyright owned by the artist.

Disneyland Paris receives over 15 million visitors a year

But… Disneyland Paris, despite the name, is not located in Paris itself, but can be found about 30 km away from the centre of Paris in a place called Marne-la-Vallée. More than 15 million people visit the happiest place on Earth each year.

Fun Facts on Paris for kids

>> Find some really cool fun facts of Paris for kids below.

Paris is the capital and largest city in France

This city was actually the largest in the world between the 16th and 19th century.

Look at any map of Paris and you will notice that the city is oval shaped, with an area of 33,5 square miles, or 86,7 square kilometres (9 miles east to west and 6 miles north to south).

The Greater Paris region which includes the suburban areas covers an area of 4,661 square miles or 12,072 square kilometers. There is a highway, known as the Périphérique, that encircles the city and defines the city limits.

The main language of Paris is French

French is one of the most studied and most spoken languages in the world . 

Speaking of French…

Paris is NOT the largest French-speaking city 

You would think so, but this accolade actually belongs to Kinshasa of the Democratic Republic of Congo in Africa with more than 10 million French-speaking locals.

>> How to say thank you in French and around the world here

France shares a border with 6 countries

These include Germany, Italy, Belgium, Luxembourg, Spain , and Switzerland.

Paris is the main centre of commerce in France

With a GDP of over €700 billion, or 5% of the European Union’s GDP, the Greater Paris region is a major economic force not just in France, but in Europe and the world.

While on the topic of money… You should know that:

Paris is one of the most expensive cities to live

Paris, Singapore, Hong Kong , and New York consistently rank among the world’s overall most expensive cities to live according to the Economist Intelligence Unit Worldwide Cost of Living Survey.

Paris is a major rail, air, and road transport hub

The Gare du Nord is the busiest railway station in the world, outside of Japan. 

The public transport network is the 4th largest in the world, comprising 302 metro stations. Opened in 1900, the Paris Metro is one of the most densely networked stations in the world, serving over 5 million travelers every day. This makes it the second busiest metro system in Europe, after the Moscow Metro.

‘Fluctuat Ner Mergitur’ is the motto of Paris

Which translates to “tossed but not sunk” in Latin, in reference to a ship on water. 

Paris is the greenest city in France with 470,000 trees

Yes, someone(s) counted them all and every tree is accounted for. King Henry IV commissioned the first tree-lined streets way back in the 16th century.  Speaking of trees… The oldest tree in Paris is an old locust tree that is over 400 years old. You will find this tree in Viviani André square opposite Notre Dame.  Paris also has more than 450 municipal parks, gardens, and green spaces spread across the city, spanning 3,000 hectares. Of these, the most famous are Jardin Tuileries and Jardin du Luxembourg.

Some amazing facts about the streets in Paris information…

There are 6,100 streets in Paris

The city’s shortest street, Rue des Degrés, in just 5,75 metres long. Rue Vaugirard is the longest street, stretching 4,360 metres.

The city comprises 20 arrondissements (municipal districts) each with its own town hall and mayor. The numbering begins in the heart of the city and continues in a spiral fashion, ending to the far east.

The Champs-Élysées is the most famous street in Paris

Often described as the most beautiful avenue in the world, the Champs-Élysées was founded in 1616 by Marie de Medici as an extension of the Tuileries garden. It is 1,19 miles long and 230 ft wide.  Life in Paris revolves around the Champs-Elysees. This tree-lined avenue filled with upmarket boutiques, restaurants, museums, and clubs is not just the most expensive street in Paris, but the most expensive real estate in Europe. It is not uncommon for rents of €13,255 per square metre per year.

The elevation of Paris is 35 metres or 114 feet

… above sea level. It is fairly flat for the most part, but the elevation does reach 130 metres (427 feet) above sea level on the hill of Montmartre where the Sacre Coeur. 

This is not the highest point in the city of Paris, as incorrectly assumed. This attribute belongs to the hill of Belville, on Rue du Telegraphe, with an elevation of 148 meters or 486 feet, above sea level. 

The lowest point in Paris is 24 meters, or 80 feet, above sea level, on the Seine River at the western edge of the city.

The average depth of the Seine is approximately 9,5 metres (31 ft). The river cuts an arc through the city, flowing from the southeast to the southwest. 

Facts about the food of Paris

A culinary capital of the world, Paris is a magnet for food lovers featuring a bevy of French regional as well as international cuisines. Wine and cheese are a huge part of French cuisine and according to French chef Jean Brillat-Savarin, “a meal without wine is like a day without sunshine .”

There are more than 9,000 restaurants and 1,780 bakeries in Paris

In fact, the first establishment to be known as a restaurant was in Paris. These 9,000 restaurants comprise cafes, bars, formal, as well as open terrace restaurants and you will be spoilt for choice with the sheer variety.  Of these, 70 are Michelin-starred restaurants with 10 being rated as Michelin three-star.

You know about all those delicious Parisian pastries, right? Well…

Paris has an official baguette law

This rule states the exact bread size and consistency of the dough for the finished product. 

Each year a contest is held to find the best baguette maker in the city. The winner also gets the honour of supplying the presidential palace with bread during that year. 

The oldest coffee shops in the world can be found in Paris

Located in the 6th arrondissement, Le Procope was founded in 1686, reviving the title of oldest café or coffee shop in the world.

From the oldest to the largest…

Paris has the largest wholesale food market

The Rungs International Market covers 6 square miles (2.3 square kilometers) and is said to house more than 2 million tons of fruit, vegetables, fish, and cheese each year. Just don’t get lost here , ok.

In Paris you can find around 17,000 terraces to sit and have a drink

Many locals don’t have an outdoor area or backyard where they live, so the act of “être en terrasse” or being on a terrace is an important part of the day and the opportunity to get some fresh air and socialize. The city’s renowned terrace culture owes much to its 17,000 cafe terraces that line avenues and street corners.

>> Read next: 35 incredibly weird foods around the world including snails in Paris

Culture in Paris Facts

Paris is home to over 170 museums

These institutions showcase treasures in art, science, photography, sculpture and everything in-between. From the world famous Louvre to the less known, even strange museums, the likes of the Museum of Perfume, the Smoking Museum, and the Museum of Magic. Don’t miss a visit to Musee d’Orsay for its collection of French Impressionist works and Musee de l’Orangerie for a glimpse of Monet’s famous Lilies.

Let’s talk about a couple facts about the Louvre in Paris

The Louvre is the most visited art museum in the world

… with over 9,6 million visitors each year. It is also the most famous and the biggest museum in the world. You should know that… 15,000 people visit the Louvre in Paris each day. Yes, every day. It was not always a museum. It was built as a fortress in 1190 and later became a royal palace. When the royals upgraded to the Palace Versailles, the Louvre became a museum in 1793.  During the Second World War just before the invasion of Paris by the Nazi’s, the Louvre was emptied and its contents were circulated among the elite citizens of France, who secretly kept them in their houses.

The most famous piece in the Louvre is the Mona Lisa, insured for a record breaking $100 million

This world famous portrait painting by Leonardo da Vinci is well protected behind a bullet-proof grass within its own climate-controlled room. The Mona Lisa was stolen in 1911 and went missing for two years, making it the greatest art theft of the 20th century. It was found when the thief tried to sell it to an art dealer in Italy. 

Paris has the highest number of libraries in the world

This number currently stands at 830 libraries around the city. That’s a whole lot of books, right? The oldest and grandest of these is the Bibliothèque Mazarine.  Shakespeare & Company is the most famous English-language bookshop in Paris. Named after the original store, first shut down by the nazis, which published the classic Ulysses in 1922.

Place de la Concorde is one of the biggest sundials in the world

The 23 metre-high Egyptian obelisk standing in the centre of the square, originally stood by the Luxor Temple in Egypt , and now functions as a giant sundial. The Roman numerals on the pavement of the Place de la Concorde are the numbers of a sundial, and the shadow of the obelisk functions to give the time throughout the day. 

The majority of residents identify as Roman Catholic

French census data does not require any information about religious affiliation, but at the beginning of the 20th century Paris was the largest Catholic city in the world. According to the latest survey, 61% of Parisians are Roman Catholic, 7% identify as Muslim, 4% as Protestants, 2% as Jewish, and 26% without religion.

Notre Dame one of the most visited religious buildings in the world

It is affectionately referred to as “Our Lady.” Here are other interesting Paris facts about Notre Dame.

No buildings are allowed to exceed six stories in Paris

This is according to the law, p our que tout le monde ait du soleil, which roughly translates to – so that all have sunshine . 

The First Tower, located in the business district of La Défense, is the tallest building in France standing at 231 metres.

There are a total of 37 bridges over the Seine in Paris

These include 2 rail bridges, 4 walkways, and 31 road bridges. The widest point in Paris across the Seine River is around 200 metres and the narrowest point is nearly 30 metres.

Something to know about Paris

The oldest existing bridge over the Seine River in the city is the Pont Neuf

This stone bridge connecting Île de la Cité with the rest of Paris actually means, “New Bridge” named so by King Henry III, who ordered its construction in 1578. He named this the new bridge to distinguish it from other older bridges at the time and also because it had modern features for its time like being the first bridge to be made out of stone, the first bridge with pavements separating traffic and pedestrians and also the first one built without houses on it.

Speaking of bridges…

The famous love-locks Paris bridge no longer exists

Well the pedestrian bridge, Pont des Arts, is still there, but all the locks have been removed for safety reasons. The 1 million locks attached to the bridge, weighing 45 tons, were causing structural damage to the bridge and subsequently removed. The city authorities received strong criticism for this decision as the bridge was considered a symbol of the city. Don’t worry, there are other love monuments around the city still, like the I Love You Wall in Montmartre. This art project by Claire Kito and Frederic Baron has the phrase, “I love you” painted on it 311 times in 250 languages. 

The Montmartre district in the 18th arr. is the Bohemian neighborhood, historically renowned for attracting musicians , artists, poets, writers, and other creatives. The church of Sacré-Coeur is the focus of this cool, artsy district. Don’t miss exploring the cobble streets and corners of Montmartre when visiting Paris.

It is the fashion capital of the world, and with good reason….

The industry of fashion began in Paris

Louis XIV had high demand for good looking garments. Members of his court and the rich in society also wanted in on some of this action. Thus, this demand launched the giant network of fashion merchandisers, designers, and merchants.

As per an unwritten law in France…

Every city must have a street named after Victor Hugo

In Paris, this street can be found in the 16th arrondissement where the Les Misérables author lived.

The Tour de France ends on the Champs-Élysée in Paris

The world famous Tour de France ends on this main street in Paris each year.

Fun facts about Paris France

–> Continue reading to discover a couple of Paris fun facts .

There are more dogs than kids in Paris

This number stands at over 300,000, far outnumbering the number of children.

Each summer the banks of the Seine turn into a beach

This concept of tons of sand, beach chairs, volleyball nets, beach songs , and food stalls, called Paris Plages was started in 2002 as a place for those who could not afford or don’t have the time to take a summer vacation. It has now become a popular hangout spot for all Parisians.

The very first photo taken of a person took place in Paris

This photo was taken by Louis Daguerre on a street in Paris in 1839. He succeeded where others could not. It was such a significant improvement that his process is considered the birth of practical photography. And thus, began the photography industry.

You should know that… Going to the movies started here:

The world’s first-ever public commercial film screening took place in Paris

This screening took place in December 1895 by French brothers Auguste and Louis Lumière who used their invention called “the cinématographe” to screen 10 films from everyday French life that were about 50 seconds each and charged admission for it.

Automobile racing started in Paris

Two dozen old-school gas- & steam-powered cars set out in a race from Paris to Rouen in July 1894. Even thought they drove at 12 mph, this moment set the scene for future car racing.

The science of chemistry was first developed in Paris

Parisian Antoine Lavoisier holds the title, the Father of modern chemistry, as a result of developing chemistry from an art into a science.

Potatoes were once banned in France (and Paris)

This took place between 1748 and 1772 as it was considered poisonous and also believed to cause leprosy.

The world-famous drink ‘Bloody Mary’ originated in Paris

This drink came about as a result of a request from Ernest Hemingway who requested a drink without an alcohol smell while at the Ritz Hotel. I’m sure he was pleased enough with his vodka and tomato juice mixture for them to continue making it.

The French army were the first in the world to use camouflage

The army began wearing camouflage in 1915 during WWI. The word “camouflage” is French meaning, “to make up for the stage”

The very first public strip dance performance took place in Paris

A girl named Mona removed her clothes during a beauty contest rehearsal for Moulin Rouge. She was fined 100 franks for this action.

Tom Cruise was prohibited from becoming an honorary citizen of Paris

As a consequence of his involvement and a member of Scientology, the municipal government passed an official resolution preventing this from happening. 

A man in Paris invites complete strangers into his home for dinner every Sunday

His name is Jim Haynes and he has been doing this weekly dinner event with strangers for over 30 years.

>> Which of these Paris fun facts are you going to share with your friends?

Random Weird Paris Facts

Time for some weird facts in Paris. Did you know…

There are 200 miles of underground tunnels in Paris

The Catacombs of Paris was used as a burial site during the 18th century, due to the overflowing of cemeteries above ground and the spread of disease. Officially opened in 1810 and declared a museum in 2013, you can tour this area as part of the official tour groups that run daily. However do note that much of the catacombs remain inaccessible, unmapped, and uncharted territory and only 200 people are allowed underground a time. Reports exist about secret groups using the underground for various activities. In 2004, authorities found a restaurant, bar, a movie theatre in the depths of the catacombs accompanied with a note that read, “do not try to find us.” To this day the police have never found out who or what was taking place down there.

The Catacombs house the remains of over 6 million Parisians

The walls are lined with bones and skulls. Are you brave enough to take a stroll underground among the remains of millions of people?

It get’s crazier…

The bones are arranged in decorative displays

Many of the bones weren’t simply thrown into the catacombs. Workers often arranged the bones into shapes and decorations and lining the walls with skulls.

One of the most shocking displays, referred to as the Barrel, is a large, circular pillar surrounded by skulls and other ghastly remains which also acts as a support for the roof of the area.

The Catacombs were also used by both sides throughout World War II.

The Louvre Pyramid is formed by 666 glass sheets

This pyramid found in front of the Louvre was completed in 1989, standing 21 metres high, and is one of the newest additions to the museums.

There are 14 abandoned underground metro stations

Many of the city’s metro stations were sealed off during World War II and a handful of them have remained shut ever since now listed as abandoned, no longer in use, or never used. It is illegal to visit them except when a few are open to the public on heritage days.

The Croix-Rouge metro in the Latin Quarter is the most famous of the abandoned group while others are used as a film set or for storage and maintenance of the underground trains.

Père Lachaise in Paris is the world’s most visited cemetery

This cemetery, the resting place for some of the most famous musicians , writers, and poets such as Jim Morisson, Oscar Wilde, Chopin, and Edith Piaf, receives over 3.5 million visitors each year.

Paris fashion law banned women from wearing trousers

The French Revolution made it illegal for women to wear trousers, unless obtaining permission from a police officer to do so. While Parisian women have been wearing pants for decades without any problems, the 214-year-old law wasn’t officially abolished until 2012.

The French army still use carrier pigeons

Despite the advancement in technology, the French army still keeps pigeons that are trained to transmit and carry important messages. It is considered a necessity and as an alternative in case of the major breakdown in conventional technology. They can be found within the barracks of the 8th Transmissions Regiment in Mont-Valérien. 

A secret group breaks into historic sites around Paris to secretly repair them

This organisation called “Les UX” meaning Urban eXperiment works to improve the city by breaking into historic monuments and sights to repair them. They also have been known to build underground cinemas and host other events.

Remember Ratatouille? Well, listen to this one…

There are more than 4 million sewer rats lurking in the sewers under the city

Last one: Have you heard this crazy Paris fact?

Paris syndrome actually exists and is a severe form of cultural shock

Each year, a handful of tourists on a tour of Europe experience shock and a breakdown on the realization that Paris is not what they had expected it to be. This serious disorder is referred to as “Paris Syndrome” with symptoms include anxiety, depersonalization, acute delusions, and feelings of persecution.

I hope you enjoy your time in Paris as much as learning about this French city through these fun facts about Paris.

Tell me guys, which destination would you like to hear about next ?

Until the next set of awesome, cool, interesting, and fun Paris facts for kids….

Au revoir les amis! Rai

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very nice thanks so much for sharing. I learnt a lot about Paris

You are welcome. Thanks for reading!

Lots of good info about Paris here!

Good to hear.. Thanks F

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Your Trip to Paris: The Complete Guide

Weather & Climate

The Airports of Paris

Neighborhoods to Know

Driving in Paris

Paris Public Transportation

Tipping in Paris

Day Trips From Paris

Top Things to Do

Free Things to Do

Things to Do With Kids

Best Paris Parks & Gardens

Best Museums in Paris

Cabaret in Paris

Live Music in Paris

Shopping in Paris

Bastille Day in Paris

French Dishes to Try in Paris

The Best Restaurants in Paris

Where to Eat With Kids

Nightlife in Paris

Craft Beer Bars in Paris

Top 15 Monuments and Historic Sites in Paris

kiszon pascal/Getty Images 

Paris is a city with a rich history that stretches back to the third century B.C. It is no surprise, then, that important Paris monuments and attractions are so numerous, breathtaking, and varied in terms of period and architectural style. From Roman-era ruins to post-World War II memorials, these famous sites and monuments in the City of Light are essential keys to understanding the city's elaborate and complicated past.

Notre-Dame Cathedral

TripSavvy / Taylor McIntyre

Dating to the 12th century, the  Notre-Dame Cathedral has long towered dramatically alongside the banks of the ​ Seine River , beckoning all to come to visit. With its intricate Gothic architectural details that took workers more than a century to complete, this landmark has become synonymous with Parisian religion and architecture .

Unfortunately, a fire that broke out on April 15, 2019, destroyed a large portion of the cathedral, including the iconic spire known as "la fléche" ("arrow") and the roof made of 800-year-old lumber known as "The Forest." The 13th-century South Rose Window—which was created and offered to the church by King St. Louis in 1260—the archaeological crypt at Notre Dame , and the 8,000-pipe La Grand Orgue (The Great Organ) survived the flame.

Visitors are not allowed near Notre Dame while it undergoes extensive reconstruction. While French President Emmanuel Macron believes the restorations could be completed by the 2024 Olympics Paris is set to host, architects estimate it may take between 10 to 15 years, realistically, to fully restore the building.

Eiffel Tower

Although many decried it as an eyesore on the city's horizon when it was presented as part of the 1889 World Exposition in Paris, the Eiffel Tower has become the city's most famous landmark as well as a beloved and enduring icon of the City of Light.

Located on the  Champ de Mars  in the  7th arrondissement  of midwest Paris, the Eiffel Tower is easily accessible on Line 6 or Line 8 of the Paris Metro via Bir Hakeim, Trocadero, or Ecole Militaire stations. If you can, avoid visiting at peak hours and on weekends, so you can make the most of your visit and really enjoy the ​ views from the top . The best times are just after it first opens and in the evenings.

The Louvre Palace and Museum

Housed inside the Palais du Louvre, which serves as a testament to its rich history spanning from the medieval period to the present, the Louvre Museum is one of the most famous art museums in the world, known for the iconic glass pyramid at its entrance.

Located in the 1st arrondissement of Paris, the Louvre is centrally located and easily accessible on Line 1 from the Palais Royal-Musée du Louvre station or any number of buses that stop in front of the glass pyramid. The Louvre is closed on Tuesdays as well as January 1, May 1, and December 25 each year.

Visiting Louvre's medieval foundation is fascinating. The adjacent Jardin des Tuileries  are perfect for a stroll before or after your visit to the museum. There is so much to see  at the Louvre, don't try to pack it into just one day .

Arc de Triomphe

TripSavvy / Taylor McIntyre 

The Arc de Triomphe is an icon of imperial France under Napoleon I and is a testament to a time when European leaders felt the need to celebrate wealth and power with monumental structures. Looming 164 feet above the bustling traffic circle at the head of the Avenue des ​ Champs-Elysées , the  Arc de Triomphe  seems to exemplify pomp and circumstance.

Located in the 8th arrondissement of Paris at the west end of the  Avenue des Champs-Elysées on the Place Charles de Gaulles, the Arc de Triomphe is accessible by Lines 1, 2, or 6 to Charles de Gaulle Etoile station. Guests of the arch can additionally purchase tickets for a tour to the top to witness views of the avenue, which stretches all the way to the Place de la Concorde, through the Jardin des Tuileries , and on to the Louvre.

The Sorbonne and Latin Quarter

One of Europe's oldest and most esteemed universities, the Sorbonne was founded in 1257 for scribes, monks, or other figures attached to the Catholic Church to pursue theological studies. In later centuries, the Sorbonne would go on to help produce some of Europe's most famous literary and creative minds, before becoming a site of revolt during the 1968 student movements.

Unfortunately, access to the Sorbonne is limited to students and faculty of the school, so you won't be able to get a tour unless you're planning to attend. However, since it's centered around a public square in the Saint-Michel neighborhood of the Latin Quarter of Paris, you'll be able to see it from the outside.

The Pantheon

Not to be confused with the Pantheon in Rome , Paris' Pantheon was built between 1758 and 1790. Located in the Latin Quarter, the Pantheon in Paris is a neoclassical-style mausoleum where many of France's great minds such as Voltaire, Rousseau, and Victor Hugo are buried.

The Pantheon is perched on top of the quarter's historic Montagne Sainte-Geneviève, and the colonnade of the dome is open to the public from April to October each year. Independent and group tours are available throughout the year for a small fee, and the Pantheon offers free admission on the first Sunday of the month from November 1 through March 31.

Père-Lachaise Cemetery

TripSavvy / Leopoldine Bauer

There are many beautiful cemeteries in Paris, but Père-Lachaise is one of the most popular and beautiful. In addition to hosting the graves of famous people like Oscar Wilde, playwright Molière, and Jim Morrison of the Doors, the cemetery is simply a gorgeous place to stroll and meditate. There are also important war memorials on the site that pay tribute to the many who perished in conflicts and wars.

The Père-Lachaise Cemetery is located in the 20th arrondissement near Belleville and Oberkampf, and entrances to the park are accessible from Metro Philippe Auguste, Père-Lachaise, and Gambetta on Lines 2 and 3. Guided tours and maps are available, which explain where to find the most famous gravesites.

La Sainte-Chapelle

Not far from Notre Dame on the Ile de la Cité looms another pinnacle of gothic architecture. Sainte-Chapelle was erected in the mid-13th century by King Louis IX. The cathedral features some of the period's best-conceived stained glass, housing a total of 15 glass panels and a prominent large window, whose colors remain surprisingly vibrant. Wall paintings and elaborate carvings place more emphasis on the stunning Medieval beauty of Sainte Chapelle.

To extend your visit, you can tour the adjoining Conciergerie, which was part of the former Medieval royal palace. It was used as a prison during the Revolutionary "Terror." Queen Marie Antoinette spent her last days there before being executed.

Opera Garnier

Seating close to 2,000 people, the imposing  Opera Garnier in Paris—also known as the Palais Garnier or simply the Paris Opera—is an architectural treasure and essential spot for the city's ballet and classical music scene .

Designed by Charles Garnier and inaugurated in 1875 as the Academie Nationale de Musique Theatre de l'Opera (National Academy of Music Opera Theater), the neo-baroque-style building is the home of the Paris ballet. The city's official opera company relocated to the starkly contemporary Opera Bastille in 1989.

Located in the 9th arrondissement, the Opera Garnier is open for tours on weekdays throughout the year (with varying hours). Tickets must be purchased in advance for most ballet and other performances.

Hôtel de Cluny and Roman Baths

The Hôtel de Cluny is a Medieval residence that now houses the  National Medieval Art Museum , Musée Cluny. The famous tapestry, "The Lady and the Unicorn," is displayed here. Situated in the historic Latin Quarter, not far from the Sorbonne, the Hôtel de Cluny boasts a Medieval-style aromatic garden that provides a pleasant spot for a stroll or for reading on a bench in the spring or summer.

The ruins of Roman Empire thermal baths can also be seen on-site. One of the museum's rooms, the tepidarium, was originally the "warm room" from the baths. Located in the very center of the Latin Quarter in Paris' 5th arrondissement, the Cluny Museum is within walking distance of several other sites including Sorbonne University, Sainte-Chapelle, and Jardin du Luxembourg.

Palais Royal Gardens

Situated between the Louvre and the Opera Garnier, Palais Royal is a Renaissance-style palace that was once the residence of the Cardinal Richelieu. Today, Palais Royal is occupied by luxury boutiques and restaurants as well as several government offices whose decor mix old-world charm with modern sentiments.

Located centrally in the 1st arrondissement, the stately Palais is a pleasant place to get a meal, do some shopping, or simply take a stroll in the accompanying gardens. While there, be sure to stop by the inner courtyard, known as Cour d'Honneur, to take in the quirky modern sculptures of Daniel Buren's "Les Deux Plateaux."

Hôtel de Ville (City Hall)

Sitting proudly in the center of the 4th arrondissement, Hôtel de Ville is the City Hall of Paris. Constructed on the vast plaza that was once called "Place de Greve," a site ​notorious for gory public executions during the Medieval period, this centerpiece of Parisian culture is a great addition to any trip.

The facade that covers Hôtel de Ville was built in 1873; however, some parts of the building are even older. The neo-Rennaissance Hôtel de Ville now hosts events throughout the year such as free exhibits, summer concerts, and ice-skating during the winter months.

Hôtel National des Invalides

Hôtel National des Invalides is a vast complex that was originally constructed in 1670 under the reign of Louis XIV as a hospital and convalescent home for injured soldiers. Part of des Invalides maintains this role today, but it is most famous for housing the tomb of Napoleon Bonaparte.

Additionally, the on-site Musée de l'Armée (Army Museum) boasts a vast collection of military artifacts and an elaborate armory. Both des Invalides and the museum are open daily year-round—with the exception of several holidays and special closures—and entry is free for guests under 26 years old.

Saint-Denis Basilica

Just north of Paris in the working-class suburb of Saint-Denis, the Cathedral Basilica of Saint-Denis is one of the oldest sites of Christian worship in France. It's famous for its abbey, which serves as the burial place for 43 kinds and 32 queens who died as early as the fifth century. With its sculpted tombs and flamboyant Gothic details, this often-overlooked gem is worth a trip outside the city limits .

Mémorial des Martyrs de la Déportation

The Mémorial des Martyrs de la Déportation (Deportation Memorial) pays tribute to the 200,000 people who were deported to Nazi death camps from France during World War II. Erected in 1962 on the banks of the Seine across from Notre Dame on the site of a former morgue, the Deportation Memorial was designed by architect G.H. Pingusson to evoke a sense of claustrophobia and despair.

One part of the memorial features an "eternal flame of hope" and an inscription that states the following: "Dedicated to the living memory of the 200,000 French deportees sleeping in the night and the fog, exterminated in the Nazi concentration camps." Nearby, you can also visit the Museum of Jewish Art and History .

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72 Hours in Paris: What to See in Only Three Days

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17 Fun Facts About Paris

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Wondering about the City of Romance and the City of Lights ? Well, these fun facts about Paris are all you need to know about this lovely city. 

Fun Facts About Paris 

Paris, the capital of France, is a city that is on top of the bucket list of many people. Be it the Eiffel Tower, the fashionable Parisian streets, or its breathtaking architecture – the city is beyond brilliant and deserves all the recognition. 

In this article, I have talked about the fun facts about Paris, which everyone must know! 

1. The World’s Biggest Art Museum Is in Paris

Here are some fun facts about Paris for the artsy folks! 

Paris is home to the world’s largest art museum , The Louvre . You may already know the Louvre ( Musee du Louvre ), as it holds many iconic paintings such as Mona Lisa and Venus de Milo . 

This art museum is spread across an area of 652,300 square feet and four floors. It showcases about 380,000 objects . Surprisingly, only 5,000 pieces are by French artists! Due to the museum’s excellent collection, it may take you about 50 to 100 days to properly see each exhibit in the Louvre. 

Apart from the Mona Lisa painting, the Louvre also has antiquities and sculptures from some of the most powerful civilizations in the world like the Roman Empire, the Greek Empire, and the Ancient Egyptian Civilization. The museum also features the luxurious rooms of Napoleon III, the first president of France. 

I don’t think the glass pyramid entry of the Louvre requires an introduction, as it is one of the most iconic cultural landmarks. 

2. There Is One Dog for Seven Parisians!

You’ll love these fun facts about Paris if you are a dog person. It seems like Parisians are fond of dogs, as the city has over 300,000 dogs for about 2.1 million people. Hence, there is one dog for every 7 Parisians. 

The most common dog in France might be the Shepherd, but Parisians opt for little breeds like Chihuahua, German Spitz, French Bulldog, and the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel .

Funnily enough, many people who visit Paris complain about dog litter on the streets. Therefore, you’ll find the 68€ fine warning for not picking up your dog’s poop on the streets. 

3. Paris Is Known as the “City of Lights” 

This is one of the common fun facts about Paris. 

Many people often call Paris the “City of Lights”, but have you ever wondered why? If you think the answer is related to the Eiffel Tower or other such attractions, you might be a little wrong. 

Paris received the title of “ The City of Lights ” at the beginning of the 19th century. This is because the city was one of the first in the whole of Europe to install street lighting. 

In the 17th century, King Louis XIV installed more street lighting in the Parisian streets to ensure the city’s safety after the numerous wars. Today, Paris has more than 345,000 light sources , which include street lights, park lighting, and signs. 

4. The First “Bloody Mary” Cocktail Was Made in Paris

Here are a few fun facts about Paris for cocktail lovers!

Bloody Mary is a popular cocktail that is available at almost every club, pub, or restaurant in the world! It contains vodka, tomato juice, and different types of seasonings and sauces. 

Now, many people claim to have invented this cocktail. Yet, the most widely-acclaimed claim for inventing Blood Mary goes to Harry’s New York Bar in Paris. 

Harry’s New York Bar is famous for serving reputed personalities like Ernest Hemingway and F. Scott Fitzgerald. After its opening in 1911, a bartender named Fernand Petiot, came up with the idea of Bloody Mary and executed it too! In 1921, the authentic recipe of this cocktail was published in “ Harry’s ABC of Cocktails .”

Forget about the drink, even the story versions behind how the drink was invented are worth knowing. 

It is believed that Hemingway wanted a drink mixed with juice, so the woman he was dating at that time, Mary, wouldn’t be able to smell alcohol on him. This led to the creation of Bloody Mary!

5. The History of the Eiffel Tower

These fun facts about Paris aren’t complete without discussing the Eiffel Tower. 

The Eiffel Tower, designed by Gustave Eiffel, was built for the 1889 Paris Exposition Universelle, celebrating the 100 years of the French Revolution. Its construction began in 1887 and took only about two years to complete (1889). 

Did you know that before 1930, the Eiffel Tower was the tallest manmade structure in the world? After all, it has a height of 1,083 feet or 330 metres.

Apart from being one of the top tourist destinations in Paris, the Eiffel Tower also served as a communications centre during World War I.

Today, the Eiffel Tower offers an observation deck to its visitors. You can also reserve a table at two restaurants, Jules Verne and Madame Brasserie, located on the second and the first floor, respectively. 

6. You Won’t Find Stop Signs in Paris

Here is one of the quirkiest fun facts about Paris.

There is no stopping when you’re in the City of Love . While you’re driving in the Parisian streets, you won’t find many stop signs in Paris because of its famous traffic rules. 

Paris adheres by the “ priorité à droite” rule. In Paris, the “priorité à droite” rule means that vehicles entering an intersection should give way to the ones coming from the right. 

Instead of stop signs dictating when to halt, drivers need to remain aware of the traffic coming from the right-hand side. 

However, this doesn’t mean that the streets are chaotic, as there are other similar street signs. For instance, you’ll commonly find signs, like “Do Not Enter” for one-way streets and “No Left Turn” to restrict left turns, in Paris. 

7. Paris Has 132 Michelin-Star Restaurants 

Even if you can’t find a soulmate in this romantic city, you can still romance with the delicious food here! Here are some food-related fun facts about Paris.

Paris offers exquisite French cuisine and has 132 Michelin-star restaurants . Some of these include Guy Savoy (two stars), Arpège (three stars), L’Astrance (one star), and Septime (one star). 

While you’re in Paris, there are a few authentic food items that you need to try! Croissants, macarons, escargots, Jambon-beurre, steak tartare, duck confit, eclair, and crêpes are just a few of hem. 

8. Paris Is the World’s Fashion Capital 

You need to know these bougie fun facts about Paris. 

You may already know that Paris is considered the fashion capital of the world. Have you ever wondered why? Well, there are many reasons behind its nickname. 

The most famous fashion week, Paris Fashion Week takes place in the city twice between February and March and September and October. It is often considered the finale of the major fashion weeks – New York Fashion Week, London Fashion Week, and Milan Fashion Week.

Many luxury clothing lines also operate from Paris, like Yves Saint Laurent, Dior, Chanel, Givenchy, Jean-Paul Gaultier, Hermès, and Balenciaga. The city has the famous Golden Triangle, which comprises three high-end shopping streets – Champs-Elysées, Avenue Montaigne and Avenue Marceau. 

The oldest fashion school in the world, ESMOD, was also founded in Paris by Alexis Lavigne in 1841! 

9. Paris Has Around 37 Bridges 

Architecture enthusiasts will love these fun facts about Paris.

Paris is known for the beautiful River Seine too, and the countless bridges built on top of it.  It is believed that the river has about 37 bridges. These bridges provide a way from the Left Bank to the Right Bank. Additionally, they also connect two islands – Ile de la Cité and Ile Saint Louis. 

Out of the 37 bridges, there are five pedestrian bridges and two rail bridges. The oldest bridge in Paris is the Pont Neuf, which ironically translates to “ New Bridge .” King Henri IV built this bridge on the western part of the Île de la Cité. 

Another significant bridge in Paris is Pont Alexandre III, also called the most beautiful bridge in Paris. It connects Les Invalides and the Petit Palais and was named after Russian Tsar Alexander III. Its foundation was laid in October 1896. 

A bridge in Paris, Pont de Grenelle, has a mini Eiffel Tower, whereas Pont des Arts is famous amongst love birds for its love locks!

10. Paris Has Three Islands

Here are some lesser-known fun facts about Paris.

Before I read about Paris, I wasn’t aware that the city has three islands! However, they are formed because of the River Seine. 

The river has two natural islands, île Saint-Louis and île de la Cité, and one artificial island, île aux Cygnes. 

L’île de la Cité is one of the most-visited islands as it has some of the most-visited monuments like the Notre-Dame Cathedral, Sainte-Chapelle, the Conciergerie, and Hôtel Dieu. There are nine bridges linking the island to the city’s mainland. 

L’île Saint-Louis is mainly a type of residential zone and is situated in the 4th District. It served as the residential place of many influential people like Marie Curie, Camille Claudel, and Charles Baudelaire. This island has five bridges.

On the other hand, the artificial island,  île aux Cygnes, was built to transport goods and has two bridges. You’ll also find a replica of the Statue of Liberty here. 

11. The Only Disneyland in Europe Is in Paris 

If you are from Europe and want all your dreams to come true, Paris is the place to be! Let’s take a look at these enchanting fun facts about Paris.

Paris is home to the only Disneyland in the entire continent . It was started in 1992, and became the 2nd Disneyland outside the US, right after Disneyland Tokyo. Initially, the theme park was known as “Euro Disney,” but it was renamed “Disneyland Paris” in October 1994. 

The entire Disneyland Paris covers an area of 1,942 hectares , and has two theme parks within it – Disneyland Park and Walt Disney Studios Park. Since its first operation, the park has welcomed more than 320 million visitors! 

This theme park has about 50 rides, including a 4D attraction for Ratatouille, an animated Pixar movie based in Paris.

12. Paris Syndrome Is a Real Thing! 

Although Paris is a gem of a city, many visitors feel underwhelmed after visiting the city. This underwhelmed feeling even leads to nausea and vomiting in a few travellers, especially Japanese !

Paris Syndrome isn’t recognized in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Yet, many doctors consider it a real condition and a form of “culture shock” for many people. 

In the 1980s, a Japanese psychiatrist, Hiroaki Ota, working at the Sainte-Anne Hospital, coined the term “Paris Syndrome” for the first time. He, with a few other co-authors, published an article on the same topic in Nervure , the French journal of psychiatry, in 2004.

13. Paris Has the Most-Visited Cemetery

This is one of the most surprising fun facts about Paris.

The most-visited cemetery in the world, Père-Lachaise, is situated in Paris. It is also the largest cemetery and the largest park in Paris with an area of 44.5 hectares and about 5,000 trees. 

You can find the graves of many famous people in this cemetery, like Oscar Wilde, Edith Piaf, Jim Morrison, Yves Montand, Eugène Delacroix, Gertrude Stein, and many more. 

You might find lipstick marks near the grave of Oscar Wilde too, as his grave is the most kissed in Père-Lachaise!

14. All Roads in Paris Lead to Notre Dame Cathedral

If you have heard the saying, “ All roads lead to Notre Dame ”, here are some fun facts about Paris related to it. 

The Notre Dame Cathedral sits in the centre of the Île de la Cité island. Moreover, the entire city was also built around it. Therefore, you’ll find a marker near the church today that says “Position 0,” which is where all roads in the city lead. 

15. Cabaret Started in Paris 

Here is one of the fun facts about Paris that often gets overlooked. 

Apart from being the birthplace of fashion, Paris is also well-known for its cabaret industry. It is believed that cabaret originated in France around the 1880s. 

In 1881, Le Chat Noir, an entertainment establishment in the bohemian Montmartre district of Paris, popularized cabaret among the Parisians. 

16. Paris Isn’t the French-est of Cities

This might come across as a huge surprise but Paris doesn’t have the most number of French speakers in the world! 

The title of the highest number of French speakers in a city goes to Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic Of Congo . The city has 12.5 million French speakers , followed by Paris with about 2 million French speakers. 

17. The Catacombs of Paris Hold the Remains of More Than Six Million People

Here are some spooky fun facts about Paris! 

There is a whole underground city with remains of more than six million people beneath the fashionable streets of Paris. 

The Catacombs were first constructed in the late 18th century to meet the increasing demands of cemeteries. The whole area is built in the form of tunnels with bones and skulls of dead bodies arranged in lines. 

You will also find the remains of Marie Antoinette, Louis XVI, and Napoleon Bonaparte in the crypt area of the Catacombs. 

Further Reading – Fun Facts About Paris

There are many fun facts about Paris to know apart from the Eiffel Tower. It’s one of the most significant cities in the world because of its magnificent history and French culture .

So, I hope you enjoyed reading these facts about Paris. If you’re also curious about France, here are other blog posts to check out:

• What is France famous for? 40 Fascinating facts
• 35 fascinating facts about France
• Tourism in France: A Comprehensive Overview
• What to do when in Paris- the best 16 things to do in Paris

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27 Fun Facts About Paris That You Probably Haven’t Heard Before

Categories Destinations , Europe , France , Paris

Paris is by all doubts one of the most intriguing cities to visit in the world. With it being featured in books, movies and splashed across social media, you would be hard pressed to find someone who doesn’t have the city on its bucket list.

There are a lot of fun facts about Paris that we discovered when we visited and some a little later. It makes an interesting read and it adds a different facet to your experience when you visit the city because you begin to look at the different places in a different light.

It is no wonder that so many quotes are based on Paris ! The city certainly has a way on inspiring a person.

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Table of Contents

Fun facts about paris.

There are so many fun facts about Paris that I thought I would start with the general ones that everyone should know before visiting the city.

1. Paris Is Called The City Of Lights

Did you know that Paris has a number of nicknames. In fact one of the fun facts about Paris is that it is called ‘The City of Lights’. The French will use words like Lutece, Panuche and Paname to describe it. 

The true reason how the city got its name is however the basis of much speculation. A lot of people think that it was because it was the first city in Europe to have street lights installed. Others say that it is because of the boulevards and bridges that are lit up in the night.

Whatever the reason, the nickname stuck and today if you ask anyone which is the city of lights, Paris will be at the tip of their tongue!

2. Paris Has A Network Of Tunnels

When I say that there is a network of tunnels under the city, I am not talking about the metro system. Paris was built upon an old limestone quarry. Fun fact about Paris is that the quarries extend across the entire city but they are currently not in use. 

Oh and another fun fact about Paris is that in addition to the web of tunnels that the catacombs and the subway provide, there are also tunnels for sewers! It does seem like a maze below the city now doesn’t it?

3. Paris Has 20 Districts

The city of Paris is divided into 20 districts. The districts are called Arrondissements. One of the fun facts about Paris is in regards to the placement of these Arrondissements. They are numbered in a spiral manner.

The 1st Arrondissement houses the Louvre and surrounding monuments! The further out of the city, the larger the number! Given how large it is, it should not come as a surprise that there are some really cool (& secret) places in Paris that few have heard about.

4. Paris Has Two Islands!!

When I was first told about islands in Paris, I was taken aback. I mean the city is land locked so where are the islands? Well, the river Seine flows through the city. Two natural islands are formed in the river itself! If you think that these islands are tiny and not notable, then think again. One of the islands is home to Notre Dame.

Hold your breath though. Another fun fact about Paris is that there is a third island in the city namely Ile Aux Cygnes which is man made!

5. The Most Beautiful Avenue In The World Is In Paris

One of the most popularly known fun facts about Paris is in relation to a rather special avenue called Champ Elysee. This is the most beautiful avenue in the world and people flock from all over just to check it out.

It does help that there is a lot to do in the vicinity! Plus the tree lined avenue has a rather irresistible charm. The Champ Elysee is one of those places that you will immediately connect with if you are a person who has watched movies set in the city. So if you are looking for famous streets in Paris then this is one for the books!

6. The River Seine Runs Through The City

The Seine is a 777 km long river and it flows through the city of Light. In fact, you will find that the banks of this river always has something going on. Many of the old buildings are also located on its banks! 

It was one of my favorite places to head to at the end of the day. The cruises in the evening are really popular too!

7. Paris Has One Of The Busiest Transportation Systems In Europe.

There are so many ways to move across the city and I must say that it has one of the best public transportation networks in the world. You can’t spend a day in Paris without encountering one form of transportation or the other. In fact, one of the fun facts about Paris is that it has the busiest transportation system in Europe.

I particularly loved how I did not have to flag down a cab from place to place.

8. Most Of The Underground Stations Don’t Have Escalators Or Elevators.

I was warned the day I left from Amsterdam to Paris. I do wish someone had told me about this before I packed my bags to Europe! If you are headed to the city remember that most of the underground stations don’t have escalators or elevators.

In fact, some stations like the one next to Sacre Coeur have a steep flight of steps that you have to climb. If you have a lot of luggage you will definitely get a workout.

While this was not one of the fun facts about Paris (nothing fun about hauling heavy bags!), it is definitely something to keep in mind before visiting the city.

Fun Facts About Paris: History

I don’t know about you but I love reading up on the history of the location that I’m traveling to. Reading about Paris was a virtual rabbit hole. There is so much that the city has been through and so many monuments that you see in the present day that can be linked to the past. That’s why I made a separate section on the fun facts about Paris which are linked to history.

9. Paris Was Originally Lutetia

Did you know that Paris was originally a Roman city? 

Way back in 52 BC, Paris was a Roman city called Lutetia. It was a city that was built by the Romans as a base for their soldiers. In fact, the Latin word Luta which means swamp is believed to be the origin of the city’s historic name.

One of the fun facts about Paris way back then, was that Caesar himself had described the marsh area which later became Paris. Back then, the left bank of the Seine was less prone to flooding. That was where the city took roots.

10. Paris Is One Of The Oldest Cities In Europe

The city started out way back in 52 BC as we mentioned before. This was at a time when Europe was not as populated as it is today. 

In fact, Paris is not only one of the oldest cities in Europe but also the world. In the middle ages it was also the largest city in Europe. Quite a lot of fun facts about Paris packed into this piece of history isn’t it?

11. Paris Has Catacombs

Remember we talked about the underground network of tunnels? Well some of the limestone quarries that were abandoned were used as catacombs. They house the remains of more than six million people! 

This isn’t exactly one of the fun facts about Paris. In fact, some may even consider this a part of dark tourism. Me, I was intrigued and if you are headed to the city (and have time!) give the catacombs a visit.

Fun Facts About Paris: The Eiffel Tower

The Eiffel tower is iconic. When you talk about the city, people immediately think about it. There are quite a number of fun facts about Paris that are linked to it. Let’s take a peek at them shall we?

12. The Eiffel Tower Was Not Designed By Gustave Eiffel

Yes! The Eiffel Tower was named after Gustave Eiffel but it wasn’t designed by him. Shocked? Don’t be. The original design of the tower was drawn up by two men named Maurice Koechlin and Emile Nouguier. They worked for Mr. Eiffel’s company and that is how he got naming rights! Definitely one of the obscure and yet fun facts about Paris.

13. The Eiffel Tower Was Supposed To Be A Temporary Structure

The Eiffel tower was never built to last. It was built to last just for 20 years and then be torn down. One of the fun facts about Paris is that the Eiffel tower was supposed to be a symbol that showed off the prowess of France in the industrial revolution. It however turned out to be an iconic landmark in the city and has been there ever since. Why even Hitler couldn’t take the Eiffel away from Paris.

14. Many Parisians Considered The Eiffel Tower Ugly

One of the fun facts about Paris that caught my attention was the fact that most Parisians did not want the Eiffel tower in the city because they considered it ugly! They felt that it did not fit with the feel of the city and in a way I have to agree with them.

Eventually the city’s perspective of the Eiffel changed and it is still standing as an iconic landmark till date.

15. The Night Show Patent At The Eiffel Tower

You will almost never find a video of the night show at the Eiffel tower online. Do you know why? Well according to the European copyright law, the night show is protected for the lifetime of the creator plus another 70 years. The 70 years have still not lapsed. So make sure that you don’t take photographs or videos for distribution. Definitely one of the fun facts about Paris that you need to pay attention to.

16. The Eiffel Tower Is Rusting!

The Eiffel tower requires a lot of maintenance. It is a big job because the tower is rusting. In fact, a lot of sources say that the job requires the tower to be scraped down to the metal and then repainted. It is a big time consuming job and it is estimated to cost somewhere in the ballpark of 6 million euros!

Fun Facts About Paris: Museums

You can’t visit the city without stepping into one of the many museums. There are so many fun facts about Paris that revolve around museums that I thought talking about them separately was wise!

17. Paris Is Home To 130 Museums

I don’t think that I have ever visited a city that has quite as many museums in Paris. With 130 museums within the city limits alone, you will find that it is hard to choose where you want to spend your day.

Another great fun fact about Paris is that many of the museums have one day a month where the entrance fees are waived for the general public. If you don’t have time constraints I would highly recommend checking them out.

18. Paris Has The Louvre!

Paris has the world famous Louvre! Need I say more? The Louvre is by far one of the largest museums in the world. You could spend days wandering around the museum and still not see everything! 

I highly recommend not visiting the Louvre as a pit stop. It won’t be time well spent. We had a whole day to see the museum and still came up short. If you are headed to the museum make sure that you buy the tickets online since it helps you skip the long queues.

19. Paris Has The Most Beautiful Painting In World

Everyone has heard of the Mona Lisa. It is considered the most famous and most beautiful painting in the world. It is also located in the Louvre in Paris. Surprised? I thought not. The city is after all famous for its art collection.

A fun fact about Paris in relation to this painting is that you will probably find a huge crowd in front of it at all times. I’m not kidding. We literally realized that the Mona Lisa was in the room because of the way people clamored to see it!

Fun Facts about Paris: Tourism

The city is very famous across the world and that drives a lot of tourism its way. In fact, it is one of the major sources of revenue. Millions of visitors come and spend their time and money here each year.

The revenue can be seen in hotel reservations, restaurants, and tourist sites. There are a lot of fun facts about Paris that revolve around this topic. Let’s take a look at them.

20. Paris Is The Fashion Capital Of The World! 

Not only is the city the fashion capital of the world, one of the fun facts about Paris is that you can find all the big fashion brands in the city. When I say that you’ll find them, I mean you will find outlets and their official headquarters too! Chanel, Dior and Louis Vuiton are just a few examples.

21. The Notre Dame Was The Most Visited Spot In Paris Before The Fire

Another one of the fun facts about Paris is in relation to the Notre Dame. Did you know that the Cathedral of Notre Dame is actually the most visited tourist spot in the city? I was astounded. We visited because we had heard about the architecture. The  book ‘The Hunchback Of Notre Dame’ was another thing that drew us there.

The Notre Dame has been closed for renovations though so it no longer receives the original influx of tourists. It is one of the most beautiful cathedrals in France and definitely worth visiting even if just to see the façade.

22. Disneyland Paris Is The Second Visited Location In Paris

Disneyland was something that we added to the itinerary since we had time. It turns out that it is actually the second most visited attraction and I can see this. I mean you come to Paris and it has a Disneyland (which isn’t in every country mind you!). You just feel tempted to visit!

23. The Eiffel Tower Is The Fourth Most Visited Location In Paris!

I thought that the Eiffel tower would be the most visited location in Paris. Apparently not! Turns out that it has been bumped down to place four. I’ll be the first to admit that I’m not the biggest fan. Though the area around the Eiffel is a great place to kick back and relax. Plus there is always a lot of activity going on!

24. The Most Famous Cabaret In The World Is In Paris.

Did you know that the Moulin Rouge in Paris is the most famous cabaret in the world? The cabaret is named after the iconic red windmill that is hard to miss when you pass by. We never really had a chance to catch a show but we did stop to check it out when we were in the vicinity

25. The City Has Vineyards

Did you know that there are vineyards in the busy city? I haven’t personally been to one but when I was doing my research about fun facts about Paris, this particular nugget cropped up.

After being to Paris and walking through the streets, it is hard to imagine a vineyard nestled in them. In fact, there isn’t just one! There are many! It is at the top of my list for the next time I visit the city. Oh and if you are interested there are some great champagne tours from Paris that you can head out on too!

Fun Facts About Paris: Food

26. crepes aren’t originally from paris.

This one was a total shocker. I mean, the best crepes that I have ever eaten were in Paris! I can still savor the taste of the savory crepes right in front of the Eiffel tower! So forgive me if I drew an audible gasp the moment I heard it!

Crepes come from Brittany. That being said, even though they aren’t from the city, you can get some really good crepes in Paris.

27. The Macaroon Is Italian

Did I hear you hit the floor? Yup! If you are looking for fun facts about Paris related to food, then the fact that macaroons are not French will probably take the cake. Pun intended!

The story about the macaroon will take you to a monastery in Italy. I’m not really sure which. If you know please let me know too! Anyways… When  Queen Catherine de’ Medici of Italy married King Henry II of France, the macaroon made its way to France along with her.

Today few people know that the macaroon originated in Italy!

Have you been to Paris? Do you know any fun facts that we missed? Let us know in the comments below.

If you are headed to the city and are looking for inspiration, check out our guide to a day in Paris and what to do if it rains while you are there.

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Saturday 30th of July 2022

So cool! I'm feeling very inspired to go to Paris now... great article!

Thank you :)

I have been to Paris but never realized that the underground stations do not have elevators/ escalators. Thank god, I was not carrying only a small cabin bag.

We developed muscles because no one told us about it!

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Paris 2024 Games flame lit in ancient Olympia

Agence france-presse.

The sacred flame for the Paris 2024 Olympics was lit Tuesday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises.

"In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even – and in particular – during times of war and conflict," said International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach.

"Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message: yes, it is possible to compete fiercely against each other and at the same time live peacefully together under one roof," he said.

Owing to cloudy weather, Greek actresses in the role of ancient priestesses used a flame lit in a rehearsal Monday in the 2,600-year-old Temple of Hera, near the stadium where the Olympics were born in 776 BC.

Carrying the flame in a pot, Greek actress Mary Mina lit the torch for the first bearer, 2020 Olympic rowing champion Stefanos Ntouskos.

Retired French swimmer Laure Manaudou, who won her first gold medal at the 2004 Athens Olympics, followed as France's first torchbearer in Olympia.

- 'Inclusive' Games -

Officials on Tuesday stressed that the Paris Games will set new milestones, following the legacy of the other two prior Olympics held in the French capital.

"The Olympic Flame will shine over the first Olympic Games inspired by our Olympic Agenda reforms from start to finish," Bach said.

"These Olympic Games will be younger, more inclusive, more urban, more sustainable. These will be the very first Olympic Games with full gender parity, because the IOC allocated exactly 50 percent of the places to female and male athletes," he said.

Paris Olympics chief organiser Tony Estanguet noted that women took part for the first time in the Paris 1900 Games, while the first Olympic Village was created for the Paris 2024 Games.

For the first time since the Covid-19 pandemic imposed toned-down events for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and 2022 Beijing Winter Games, the ceremony was back with full regalia and scores of spectators.

Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou, French sports minister Amelie Oudea-Castera and Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo were present at the ceremony.

American mezzo soprano Joyce DiDonato delivered the Olympic anthem.

The torch harks back to the ancient Olympics when a sacred flame burned throughout the Games. The tradition was revived in 1936 for the Berlin Games.

During the 11-day relay on Greek soil, some 600 torchbearers will carry the flame over a distance of 5,000 kilometers (3,100 miles) through 41 municipalities.

- Security concerns -

The Olympic flame will be handed over to Paris 2024 organisers in a ceremony at the all-marble Panathenaic Stadium, site of the first modern Olympic Games of 1896, on April 26.

Nana Mouskouri, the 89-year-old Greek singer with a worldwide following, has been invited to perform at the ceremony.

On April 27, the flame will begin its journey to France on board the 19th-century three-masted barque Belem, which was launched just weeks after the Athens 1896 Games.

A French historical monument, the Belem carried out trade journeys to Brazil, Guyana and the Caribbean for nearly two decades.

France's last surviving three-mast steel-hulled boat, it is expected to arrive in Marseille on May 8.

Ten thousand torchbearers will then carry the flame across 64 French territories.

It will travel through 400 towns and dozens of tourist attractions during its 12,000-kilometer (7,500-mile) journey through mainland France and overseas French territories in the Caribbean, Indian Ocean and Pacific.

On July 26 it will form the centerpiece of the Paris Olympics opening ceremony.

The ceremony is planned to be held on the river Seine -- the first time it has not been held in the Games' main stadium.

However, French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday said it could be moved to the national stadium in the event of a security threat.

Macron said instead of teams sailing down the Seine on barges, the ceremony could be "limited to the Trocadero" building across the river from the Eiffel Tower or "even moved to the Stade de France".

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Tiffany Adams, an Oklahoma resident who last year was elected as the chairwoman of Cimarron County Republican Party, was arrested this week and charged with three other people of participating in kidnapping and murder.

Local news station KOCO reports that Adams was charged with participating in the kidnapping and murder of 27-year-old Veronica Butler and 39-year-old Jilian Kelley, who both disappeared a little over two weeks ago.

According to local news station KSN , Butler was involved in a custody dispute with the 54-year-old Adams, who was the paternal grandmother of Butler's children.

Butler and Kelley had been traveling to Adams' house to pick up Butler's children for a court-ordered visitation on March 30 before they mysteriously vanished.

The two women's bodies were discovered on April 14th and Adams was arrested shortly afterward, along with fellow suspects Tad Cullum, Cole Twombly, and Cora Twombly.

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Each of the four suspects is being charged with two counts of first-degree murder, two counts of kidnapping and one count of conspiracy to commit murder.

State Sen. Nathan Dahm, the chairman of the Oklahoma Republican Party, tells KOCO that he laments the horrific crimes allegedly committed by Adams, and he also emphasized that the Cimarron County GOP is a tiny organization and that Adams was elected chairwoman by a very small number of people last year.

"This is a tragic situation, with innocent children being at the center of this still-developing situation," he said. "While we at the Oklahoma Republican Party have no personal relationship or knowledge of the individuals who have been accused in this senseless crime, we have been made aware that Ms. Adams was previously elected by a handful of people to the role of Chair in her county.

"We ask everyone to join us in praying for the family and most especially the children devastated by this horrible tragedy."

Former D.C guard leaders testify that Trump could have stopped Jan. 6 — and chose not to

According to two former leaders of the D.C. guard who recently gave closed-door testimony to Congress, Donald Trump could have quelled the Jan. 6 Capitol riot and coordinated a timely arrival of National Guard troops during the violence if he'd called Pentagon leaders that day.

The testimony came from Michael Brooks, the senior enlisted leader of the D.C. guard on Jan. 6, and Brigadier Gen. Aaron Dean, the adjutant general of the D.C. guard during that same time. The pair told the House Administration Committee that if Trump reached out to the Pentagon that day, he could have cleared up confusion that was borne from the chaos, according to transcripts obtained by Politico .

“Could the president have picked up the phone, called the secretary of defense, and said, you know, ‘What’s going on here?’ Our law enforcement is getting overrun, make this happen!’” a committee staffer asked Brooks.

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“I assume he could expedite an approval through the secretary of defense, through the secretary of the army,” Brooks replied.

Trump administration officials testifying before the Jan. 6 committee revealed that Trump never called military leaders on Jan. 6, a claim that led that committee to conclude in its final report that Trump was responsible for the riot that was carried out by his supporters. According to Politico's review of the transcripts, Brooks confirmed that claim in his testimony.

Dean agreed, saying that if Trump had reached out, things would have been very different that day.

“I think if the Secretary of the Army, the Secretary of Defense, or the president had said, ‘Go,’ … or a combination thereof had said ‘Go,’ then we would’ve gone and we would’ve been there much faster,” Dean said in his March 26 testimony.

As Politico points out, Brooks and Dean are among four witnesses scheduled to testify Wednesday over the security failures that led to the Capitol riot .

'Damn hypocrisy': Dem calls out Marjorie Taylor Greene for denouncing white supremacy

Rep. Maxwell Frost (D-FL) accused Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) of "damn hypocrisy" after she said Ukraine was harboring white supremacists.

At a Wednesday House Oversight Committee hearing on China, Greene used her time to talk about "Nazis in Ukraine."

"It's amazing to me that just in a few years time, it's now considered misinformation to talk about the Nazis in Ukraine," she complained. "According to Christopher Wray, the FBI director, he said that [the Azov Brigade] has been recruiting and radicalizing and training American citizens for years. He also finished saying in his testimony to the U.S. Senate that American white supremacists are actually traveling overseas to train."

ALSO READ: Revealed: What government officials privately shared about Trump not disclosing finances

"I don't think anyone in the United States government — Americans do not support actual Nazis or white supremacists," she argued. "I know I certainly do not."

Frost, who spoke after Greene , began his time by calling out the Georgia lawmaker .

"It's interesting to hear my colleague just now talk about disavowing white supremacists when in 2022 you — she spoke at an event led by white supremacists and white nationalist Nick Fuentes," Frost noted. "And when asked about it, doubled down on it and said we're gonna focus on people, not labels."

"So get out of here with that damn hypocrisy," he added.

Watch the video below from the House Oversight Committee.

Bill Barr: The GOP's master 'fixer' for decades exposed

Republican dodges when asked if ousting speaker johnson makes his party look strong, asking our youth to save us from ourselves just isn't fair.

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Canada provides funding for Sudan and neighbouring countries at international conference in Paris to address humanitarian crisis

From: Global Affairs Canada

News release

Canada is deeply concerned by the dire humanitarian situation in Sudan, which was exacerbated by the outbreak of conflict in April 2023 and has displaced more than 6.5 million people within the country and has forced another 1.8 million to flee to neighbouring countries.

April 15, 2024 - Paris, France - Global Affairs Canada

Canada is deeply concerned by the dire humanitarian situation in Sudan, which was exacerbated by the outbreak of conflict in April 2023 and has displaced more than 6.5 million people within the country and has forced another 1.8 million to flee to neighbouring countries.

While at the International Humanitarian Conference for Sudan and its Neighbours in Paris, the Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of International Development, announced on behalf of Canada, $132.2million in international assistance funding. This includes $100.7million in humanitarian assistance funding and $31.5 million in development assistance funding, to address urgent needs in Sudan and impacted neighbouring countries: the Central African Republic, Chad, Ethiopia and South Sudan.

This announcement builds on the Minister’s recent engagements with the Sudanese community in Toronto, during which he highlighted Canada’s ongoing commitment to the humanitarian crisis.

Canada’s humanitarian assistance funding will be delivered through experienced humanitarian partners in Sudan and its neighbouring countries. It will help provide emergency health services, food and nutrition assistance, protection services including for gender-based violence survivors, and other life-saving assistance, such as shelter, water and sanitation services, to crisis-affected people.

The development assistance funding announced today complements the international assistance funding and supports critical programming in sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) and education in emergencies.

Canada has called on all parties to the conflict to respect international humanitarian law, which includes the obligation to allow and facilitate rapid and unimpeded passage of humanitarian relief for civilians in need.

“Canada remains steadfast in our support of the Sudanese people and in neighbouring countries supporting them. With the funding announced today, Canada’s partners will be able to provide life-saving assistance to people in Sudan and its neighbouring countries, as well as critical education and sexual and reproductive health and rights services to women and girls. Canada continues to call for an end to the violence in the region and for safe and unrestricted humanitarian access to be allowed throughout Sudan.” - Ahmed Hussen, Minister of International Development

Quick facts

In 2023, Canada allocated over $170 million in humanitarian assistance funding to United Nations, Red Cross and other NGO partners in Sudan and in neighbouring countries impacted by the conflict.

In the 2022 to 2023 fiscal year, Canada’s bilateral development assistance in Sudan totalled approximately $49.43 million in funding and was delivered through multilateral organizations active in Sudan and through Canadian civil society partners working with local NGOs.

Associated links

• Canada provides funding to Sudan and neighbouring countries to respond to humanitarian needs
• Canada’s response to the crisis in Sudan
• Canada provides new funding to respond to humanitarian needs in Sudan and neighbouring countries

Olivia Batten Press Secretary Office of the Minister of International Development [email protected]

Media Relations Office Global Affairs Canada [email protected] Follow us on Twitter: @CanadaDev Like us on Facebook: Canada’s international development - Global Affairs Canada Follow us on Instagram: @canadadev

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