Interesting Facts about Paris
- The Paris Metro is considered not very safe after dark.
- The population of Paris is 2.1 million people.
- Paris is the most visited city in the world. Approximately 25 million people visit annually.
- Paris is truly ancient, founded about 2,300 years ago by the Romans and Gauls, and was called "Parisii."
- Among all the cities in France, Paris is the most densely populated.
- Paris is home to the oldest pet cemetery on the planet. It was established in the late 19th century when authorities banned dumping deceased pets on the streets.
- Unlike many European capitals, Parisian tap water is drinkable. The excellent water purification system is a source of pride for the locals.
- One of the nicknames for the French capital is the "City of Lights." Paris earned this name for being one of the first cities in the world to have street lighting.
- Approximately 8 million people live in the suburbs of Paris, while only 2.1 million reside in the city itself.
- Right-hand traffic is the norm in Paris and throughout continental Europe. However, there is a small street named after General Leclerc where left-hand traffic is observed.
- The Eiffel Tower, Paris's symbol, was almost dismantled due to demands from citizens who claimed it marred the city's skyline.
- In Paris, there's a bronze statue depicting Zinedine Zidane's famous headbutt to Marco Materazzi during the 2006 FIFA World Cup final.
- Beehives adorn the rooftops of many buildings in central Paris, totaling about 300. It is said that urban bees produce more honey than their rural counterparts.
- When the mummy of Pharaoh Ramses II was transported to Paris in 1974, it was issued a passport with the occupation listed as "King (deceased)."
- Parisians love dogs, so these furry companions are allowed in many public places, including some restaurants.
- Charles de Gaulle Square in Paris, home to the famous Arc de Triomphe, has no French car insurance. This is due to the chaotic traffic flow around the square, which lacks traffic lights.
- The Paris Metro is the sixth busiest in the world in terms of passenger numbers. It's one of the oldest metro systems in Europe, second only to London, Budapest, and Glasgow.
- Foreigners are often surprised by the transparent plastic bins for trash in Paris. They replaced standard trash cans due to the risk of terrorism.
- Disneyland Paris is located near the city, the only one in Europe.
- "Paris Syndrome" is a psychological disorder caused by the disparity between the real city and the idealized image of Paris created in movies and books. It most commonly affects tourists from Japan, compounded by cultural differences between France and Japan.
- In the early 20th century, Paris had a "human zoo," officially named the "Exposition Coloniale" or "Exhibition of Colonialism's Achievements." French colonial subjects from Madagascar, India, Vietnam, Sudan, Congo, Tunisia, and Morocco were housed here. The zoo attracted millions of visitors, while the "living exhibits" from warm climates suffered from cold and humiliation. Today, the former zoo is legally recognized as a national disgrace of France.
- The famous Louvre Museum in Paris was built in 1792 and is now the world's most visited museum, welcoming over 5 million visitors annually. It houses the iconic Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci.
- The first striptease in the world was performed on the stage of the famous Moulin Rouge cabaret in Paris in 1893. A girl named Mona completely stripped during a staged beauty contest and was fined 100 francs for indecent behavior.
- Many of the world's most popular restaurants are located in Paris.
- When visiting Paris during World War II, Hitler never managed to reach the top of the Eiffel Tower, as Parisians deliberately disabled the elevators. Since then, the expression "Hitler conquered France but couldn't conquer the Eiffel Tower!" has become popular.
- Approximately ten films and TV series are shot on the streets of Paris every day.
- During World War I, the French built a so-called "fake Paris" near the capital to confuse German pilots.
- The zero kilometer point, serving as the starting point for all road distances in France, is located in Paris on the Ile de la Cite square in front of the Notre-Dame Cathedral, which gained worldwide fame after the publication of Victor Hugo's novel.
- In the Paris Metro, passengers are responsible for opening and closing the doors in the train cars by pressing the appropriate button.
- Paris has such an extensive metro network that from any point in the city, the distance to the nearest station does not exceed 500 meters.
