16 Essential Facts About Paris That You Should Know
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Paris can be a love story cliché… but why wouldn’t it be? With its glimmering lights and its quintessential Haussmanian-style architecture, there’s nary a place as special as this little city. So, if you’re looking for some sparkle in your life, just remember the words of Sabrina Fairchild “Paris is always a good idea.”
Before you scratch off “Paris” on your bucket list, here’s a mini guide on what this city has to offer. Oh, and yes there’s actually more to Paris than a quaint picnic at the Palais Royal Garden or a one-of-a-kind view of the Eiffel Tower.
P.S. If you’re looking for more interesting reads about French culture, landmarks, and whatnot check out Beelinguapp and learn French along the way!
1. The city is divided into 20 arrondissements.
There are 20 arrondissements or districts that make up the city. Although they are often identified by their numbers, these districts can also be distinguished by their names because of the landmarks that can be found there:
- 1st = Louvre
- 7th = Palais-Bourbon
- 16th = Passy
2. It has an underground city known as “The Catacombs.”
Over 170 miles of the Catacombs are underground, although only a small section of them is accessible legally. And these Catacombs hold the remains of more than 6 million people…
3. There are about 450 parks and gardens spread around the city.
Nope, that is not an exaggeration because it is a fact that Paris's green heritage consists of roughly 450 parks and botanical gardens:
- Jardin du Luxembourg
- Jardin des Tuileries
- Bois de Boulogne
4. The Louvre is the largest museum in the world.
The Musée du Louvre contains around 615,797 works of art, but only 35,000 exhibits are on display for visitors to see. Some important pieces include:
- “Mona Lisa” by Leonardo da Vinci
- “Venus de Milo” by Alexandros Antioch
- “The Code of Hammurabi”
5. There are about 37 bridges connecting the two sides of the city.
The 37 bridges intersect along the River Seine, linking the city from left to right include:
- Pont Neuf
- Pont Alexandre III
- Pont Royal
6. Paris has a total of 6,100 streets
It is very possible to easily get lost in the streets of Paris. Here are three of the loved ones:
- Rue Crémieux – a one-block street full of pastel little houses
- Rue Vieille du Temple – a historic area with quaint cafes
- Avenue Victor Hugo – named after Victor Hugo on February 28, 1881
7. It is illegal to publish pictures of the Eiffel Tower at night.
Snapping a photo for personal use is okay, but sharing for commercial use is prohibited under the French law called freedom panorama. The lighting display is considered a separate artistic work under copyright.
8. Counting trees is an official job.
There are about 484,000 trees all over the city limits, and a group of people is tasked with counting them.
9. The Eiffel Tower has 1,665 stairs leading up to the top.
While you can climb them, most visitors prefer the elevator. It takes between 30 and 45 minutes to reach the second level on foot.
10. The Bloody Mary was created in Paris sometime in 1921.
Created by Fernand Petiot at the New York Bar, originally known as "Bucket of Blood."
11. There are more dogs than children in the City of Light.
With over 300,000 dogs, there is roughly one dog for every seven people.
12. The oldest stone bridge in Paris is Pont Neuf.
Completed in 1607, it has been a historical monument since 1889.
13. One of the most expensive football clubs in the world is based in Paris.
Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) is one of the richest clubs globally, owned by Qatar Sports Investments.
14. Women in Paris were not allowed to wear pants until the year 2012.
A law from the 1800s officially banned "men's clothing" for women until it was finally repealed in 2012.
15. There are 37,915 restaurants throughout the city.
From tiny cafés to 94 Michelin-starred establishments, the options are endless.
16. There are virtually very few tall buildings in the city.
Strict restrictions on building height help preserve the historic skyline of Paris.
Suomi