40 Amazing Facts About Paris

Facts About Paris

1. Built in 1604, The Pont Neuf is the oldest bridge in Paris.
2. Paris Metro is the 4th largest public transport system in the World with 302 stations.
3. Paris has 830 libraries, that’s more than any other city in the World.
4. In France, there are ten Statues of Liberty, however, five of them are located in Paris.
6. The oldest cafe in Paris was founded in 1686, called ‘Le Procope’ and can be found in the 6th arrondissement.
7. The Paster that’s used to make a cast for a broken bone was first invented in Paris.
8. The world’s most visited museum, the Louvre was built in 1793, it took 666 years to build the Louvre, and now around ten million people visit the museum every year.
9. You are surprised but there’s only one stop Sign in Paris.
10. Montmartre is a historic neighbourhood known for its artistic heritage and the stunning white-domed Basilica of the Sacré-Cœur, which sits atop a hill with panoramic views of the city.
11. The Paris Motto is “Fluctuat Ner Mergitur”, which translates to “Tossed but not sunk” in Latin.
12. The French army is the only European army that still has carrier pigeons in its ranks, the pigeons are kept at the Mont Valerien near Paris.
13. Paris has 6,100 streets and the shortest one is the ‘Rue des Degrés’, 5.75 metres long and located in the 2nd arrondissement, the longest street in Paris is the Rue Vaugirard, located in the 15th arrondissement and is 4,360 meters long.
14. Paris has more dogs than children, around 300,000 dogs.
15. The most famous English-language bookshop in Paris is Shakespeare & Company.
16. The Bastille was a fortress and prison in Paris that played a significant role in the French Revolution. Its storming on July 14, 1789, is celebrated as Bastille Day.
17. Paris was known as “Lutetia” by the Romans, who founded the city in the 3rd century BC.
18. Paris has 470,000 trees and yes they are counted.
19. There’s a medical syndrome, known as ‘Paris Syndrome’, which is a transient mental disorder exhibited by some individuals when visiting or going to Paris.
20. The Statue of Liberty in America faces the Statue of Liberty in Paris, which symbolises the friendship between the two countries.
21. Paris is the only city to present Haute couture shows.
22. Paris is committed to environmental sustainability and has implemented measures to increase green spaces, improve air quality, and promote cycling.
23. The Eiffel Tower was built between 1887 and 1889 and was the tallest building in the world until 1930, measuring 324 meters in height.
24. The People of Paris are known as ‘Parisians’.
25. Paris is not only known for its culture but also for its economic significance. It’s a global centre for finance, commerce, and diplomacy.
26. Paris is divided into 20 arrondissements.
27. Paris had the world’s first public transport system with the introduction of horse-drawn carriages in the early 17th century.
28. Paris has 181 places where you can buy an espresso for only €1.
29. Paris has long been a hub for artists, writers, and intellectuals. It was home to famous figures like Ernest Hemingway, Pablo Picasso, and Vincent van Gogh.
30. Paris became the capital of France in 508 under King Clovis.
31. Paris is often called the “City of Museums” because it has more than 130 museums, covering a wide range of subjects, from art and history to fashion and science.
32. The city of Paris is 34 meters above sea level.
33. The famous Spanish painter, Pablo Picasso lived in Paris from 1900 to 1946, within the Montmartre and Montparnasse area.
34. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was signed in Palais de Chaillot in 1946.
35. In 1989, the Dome of Les Invalides was re-gilded using 12.65kg of gold leaf to celebrate the bicentenary of the French Revolution.
36. The left bank is home to the University of Paris and all that’s intellectual and artsy and the right bank is known for being the commercial heart of the city.
37. Paris is known as the ‘City of Light’ because of the artists, writers, and sculptors who settled in Paris.
38. The first woman to ever win a gold medal at the Olympic Games was ‘Helene de Pourtales, who was born in New York City, and who the medal at the Paris Olympics Games in 1900.
39. Paris is famous for its wide, tree-lined boulevards, such as the Champs-Élysées, which is renowned for high-end shopping and entertainment.
40. The Pantheon, which now houses an exact replica of Foucault’s pendulum has been swinging in constant motion since 1995.

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