The City of Lights is one of the most fascinating European capitals, and not just because of its art, culture, architecture and history. Though it may be synonymous with romance, it has lots of quirky secrets that only add to its appeal. Any city that is as old as Paris is bound to have a long list of interesting, fun and sometimes even scary stories behind it, and I’ve compiled a few of my favorites! Check out our list of fun facts about Paris.
Believe it or not, Paris’s most iconic building was only meant to be a temporary monument. It was France’s way of demonstrating its superior technological and construction skills. When it was constructed in 1889, it was extremely unpopular. Indeed, it’s hard to imagine Paris without the Eiffel Tower, but when it was first being built (for the World’s Fair in 1889), many Parisians were vehemently opposed to the tower — including renowned writers and artists. Insults for the design and structure included: “this truly tragic lamppost,” “this belfry skeleton,” and “this mast of iron gymnasium apparatus, incomplete, confused, and deformed.” Ouch. Even today, many Parisians find the Eiffel Tower to be a scar on the city’s otherwise beautiful architecture.
Believe it or not, Paris’s most iconic building was only meant to be a temporary monument. It was France’s way of demonstrating its superior technological and construction skills. When it was constructed in 1889, it was extremely unpopular. Indeed, it’s hard to imagine Paris without the Eiffel Tower, but when it was first being built (for the World’s Fair in 1889), many Parisians were vehemently opposed to the tower — including renowned writers and artists. Insults for the design and structure included: “this truly tragic lamppost,” “this belfry skeleton,” and “this mast of iron gymnasium apparatus, incomplete, confused, and deformed.” Ouch. Even today, many Parisians find the Eiffel Tower to be a scar on the city’s otherwise beautiful architecture.
Pont Neuf (New Bridge) is now the oldest standing bridge in the French capital. But at the time of its construction, it was one of the first stone bridges with pedestrian sidewalks. Consequently, it was named New Bridge. All other bridges from its era are no longer standing.
The Statue of Liberty might have been gifted to the US from France in 1886, but a few years later, the American community in Paris gave the French a quarter-scale replica, symbolizing the friendship between France and the US, which now sits on a man-made island in the Seine.
The 23-metre-high Obelisk in the Place de la Concorde square is not just a visual marvel. It’s a functioning sundial complete with Roman numerals on the surrounding pavements. Most Parisians ignore it, but it makes Egypt’s gift to France during the 19th century extra unique.
Starting with the first arrondissement, which is found in the center of the city near the Seine River (and houses the Louvre), the arrondissements are numbered in a clockwise spiral. If you zoom out, the placement of arrondissements resembles the swirl of a snail shell, which just so happens to be one of the foods associated with the French.
The oldest café in Paris Le Procope opened in 1686, almost a century before the US was founded in 1776. If you are interested. I’ve written an article about the 10 most atmospheric cafes in Europe. You’ll get an insight of Le Procope and many other cafes.
Paris is the fashion capital, most of the famous fashion brands are French brands (Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Dior, Jacquemus, you name it). Of course, they were the ones which came up with the military clothes too. Camouflage clothing in the military was first used by the French, the word “camouflage” roughly translates to “make up for the stage”.
The famous “Bloody Mary” cocktail was invented in Paris at the Ritz Hotel. Legend says that this popular cocktail was made for the famous novelist Ernest Hemingway! Hemingway requested for a drink that didn’t smell like alcohol, so he was given vodka mixed with tomato juice.
