Dive into the history of Paris with us and this guide to history facts in Paris returning on the biggest events that occurred in the French capital city for centuries.
October is all about novelties and the opening of the Jardin d’Acclimatation, the consecration of the Basilica of the Sacred Heart, the installation of the Luxor Obelisk at the center of the Place de la Concorde, and the birth of the Comédie-Française.
Go and discover these incredible but true stories, sometimes striking but always surprising.
It happened in October in Paris:
Ephemeris for October 9 in Paris: The opening of the Jardin d'Acclimatation in the Bois de Boulogne
On Tuesday, October 9, 1860, the Jardin d'Acclimatation opened its doors in the Bois de Boulogne. This immense green space, with its scientific, entertaining and educational vocation, quickly became a favorite haunt of Parisians, who came to marvel at exotic animals and plants, as well as tribes from faraway lands. The Jardin d'Acclimatation suffered many setbacks during the various wars, and later became an amusement park where families still enjoy having fun today. [Read more]
Ephemeris of October 15 in Paris: Mata Hari's execution in the Bois de Vincennes
On October 15, 1917, Mata Hari was shot by the French authorities in the Bois de Vincennes. Successively courtesan, oriental dancer, spy and double agent, she was sentenced to death for intelligence with the enemy at the end of a summary trial. [Read more]
Ephemeris for October 16 in Paris: Consecration of the Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Montmartre
On October 16, 1919, the Sacré-Coeur church in Montmartre was consecrated by Cardinal Vico and elevated to the rank of basilica, after 44 years of construction. Erected on the heights of the Butte Montmartre, this Romanesque-Byzantine religious edifice still fascinates as much as it horrifies some Parisians, who consider it to have been "built on the blood of the Communards". [Read more]
Ephemeris of October 17: The massacre of Algerians thrown into the Seine
On October 17, 1961, a peaceful demonstration organized by the Front de Libération Nationale in support of Algerian independence was put down in bloodshed. In one night, between 30 and 250 Algerians were killed and thrown into the Seine. [Read more]
Ephemeris of October 18 in Paris: The Closet Affair
On the night of October 18, 1534, Protestants plastered the streets of Paris with posters violently criticizing the Catholic mass. The Affaire des Placards marked a turning point in the confrontations between Catholics and Protestants, and signaled the end of Francis I's conciliation with the reformers. [Read more]
Ephemeris of October 21 in Paris: The birth of the Comédie-Française
On October 21, 1680, the Comédie-Française was founded by order of King Louis XIV, the result of a merger between Molière's troupe and that of the Hôtel de Bourgogne. The sovereign's idea was simple: to put an end to the quarrels between the two rival troupes, while reaffirming royalty by promoting classical French theater, at a time when the Comédie-Italienne was very much in vogue. [Read more]
History fact, October 22 in Paris: dramatic rail accident at the Montparnasse railway station
On October 22, 1895, a dramatic rail accident occurred at the Montparnasse railway station. The Paris-Granville train could not brake in time and ends us down the railway station which façade is mostly destroyed because of the violence of the impact. [Read more]
Ephemeris for October 25 in Paris: Installation of the Luxor Obelisk on Place de la Concorde
On October 25, 1836, the Luxor Obelisk was erected in the center of the Place de la Concorde by order of King Louis-Philippe. Offered to France by the Viceroy of Egypt as a token of goodwill, the monolith arrived in Paris in 1833 after an incredible epic voyage on the waves. [Read more]
