Paris anecdotes - activities

6 mysterious and esoteric anecdotes about Parisian monuments

Paris is a mysterious capital... Between alchemy, astrology and witchcraft, the city and its monuments hide many esoteric anecdotes, for a magical and historic stroll through three Parisian arrondissements!

Paris: the Lion of Belfort will soon be restored - here's its story

The Lion of Belfort, the famous sculpture that stands at the center of the Place Denfert-Rochereau in Paris, is soon to be restored. By the way, do you know the history of this work by Auguste Bartholdi? We'll tell you!

Did you know: why is it always windy in metro stations?

Draughts in the corridors of the Paris metro are commonplace. But why is there so much wind in the basements of Paris? We explain.

Did you know? Margaret Thatcher had a little misadventure at La Défense in the 80s.

La Défense, Paris's business district, is home to many companies, schools and a large shopping mall... And some public figures have had misadventures in the heart of the district... Such was the case of Margaret Thatcher, British Prime Minister from 1979 to 1990, who had a funny adventure in 1989. We tell you all about it!

Ephemeris of September 28 in Paris: Fire at Le Printemps department store

On the morning of September 28, 1921, 40 years after the first fire, Le Printemps department store was the scene of a fire that ravaged the interior of the second building under construction.

Did you know? The Cabaret de l'Enfer livened up the nights of the Belle Époque in Paris.

With its "gateway to hell", the Cabaret de l'Enfer was a mecca of nightlife during the Belle Époque in Paris. We tell you the story of this atypical cabaret, which played host to a number of Surrealist artists.

Did you know? 3 anecdotes about the Pont des Arts aka Pont d'Aya

The Pont des Arts, illuminated for the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games, with the performance of Aya Nakamura and the Garde Républicaine, is the source of much ink and buzz on the networks. We take a look back at this emblematic building and its memorable anecdotes, now joined by Aya's song.

Paris Insolite: where is the city's last lift bridge?

Located at the intersection of the Bassin de la Villette and the Canal de l'Ourcq, the Rue de Crimée bridge is almost invisible in the 19th arrondissement. However, it has a special feature that is unique in Paris.

Did you know? Where is the largest caryatid in Paris and what is its history?

Discover the tallest caryatid in Paris, located on rue Turbigo, an intriguing and mysterious 3-storey structure that has been on display since 1859.

Why is Paris the city of love? Origins of the capital's romantic reputation

A romantic city par excellence, Paris has everything to plunge lovers into an atmosphere worthy of a beautiful film. But where does its reputation as the capital of love come from?

Metro: where does the iconic white tiling found in every station come from?

If you've taken one of the Paris metro lines, you've probably noticed the tiles found throughout the stations: rectangular in shape, varnished and often white in color.

Who was Charles Michels, the man who gave his name to the line 10 station in the 15th arrondissement?

Located under Place Charles-Michels and Avenue Emile Zola in the 15th arrondissement, the eponymous metro station is particularly well known to those who take line 10 to Boulogne-Billancourt (its terminus) or Gare d'Austerlitz (its other terminus).

Metro: why Georges V station almost didn't bear the British monarch's name

In the 8th arrondissement, on line 1 of the Paris metro, the Georges V station is located under the Avenue des Champs-Elysées, at the end of the Avenue Georges V.

Paris Metro: who was Colonel Fabien, after whom the metro station is named?

Known as one of the stations on metro line 2, Colonel Fabien station is located on the boundary between the 10th and 19th arrondissements of Paris, just below the Place du Colonel-Fabien. Many commuters use the station on a daily basis, yet few know the identity of the man who gave his name to the square, and later to the station.

Do you know Guy Moquêt, the high school student who gave his name to the metro station?

If you regularly take line 13 on the Saint-Denis Université branch, you're used to passing Guy Moquêt station, in the 17th arrondissement. Behind the name of the station, there's above all the name of a Parisian high-school pupil, whose story we'd like you to discover.

Paris 2024: why is French the official language of the Olympic Games?

Even though next year's Olympic Games will be held in France, it's customary to hear French spoken since the inception of the modern Games. But do you know why it's the official language of the competition?

Who is Monsieur Bienvenüe, after whom the metro station is named?

If you take the Paris metro on lines 6, 13, 4 or 12, you may have already got off at Montparnasse-Bienvenüe station, where you usually stop to enter the Montparnasse station in the south of Paris. But why call the station that?

Did you know? The RER A could have been named MERDE (SHIT)

Did you know? In 1970, the iconic RER A, a fixture of Parisian transport, narrowly missed being christened "MERDE". A surprising anecdote thanks to the RATP and a vigilant painter.

Did you know? Streets around the Opéra Garnier are very special

Did you know? Streets around the Opéra Garnier have very special names. Like most streets, faubourgs or avenues in Paris, plates surrounding the famous building pay tribute to celebrities, but not just any celebrities…

Did you know? The historic stories of the Hôtel de Crillon

Did you know the stories behind the Hôtel de Crillon? Dating back from the 18th century, this iconic luxury hotel in Paris is filled with stories! Here are some of them!