Welcome to the City of Light! Paris is one of the most iconic and romantic cities in the world, known for its stunning architecture, world-class museums, and rich history. Whether you’re strolling along the Seine, admiring the view from the Eiffel Tower, or indulging in a croissant at a sidewalk cafe, there’s something magical about Paris. So, grab a baguette and a bottle of wine, and let’s explore 25 Enchanting Paris facts that will make you fall in love with this city all over again.
1-5 Facts About Paris
1. When Japanese tourists visit Paris, they sometimes suffer from extreme shock, known as “Paris Syndrome.” It is because they are completely unprepared for the reality that Paris is not always the idealized version they may have had in mind.
2. Paris and Rome share an exclusive sister-city relationship, considering no other city as their equal counterpart. The two cities even have a motto to emphasize their bond: “Only Paris is worthy of Rome; only Rome is worthy of Paris.”
3. Famed French writer Guy de Maupassant despised the Eiffel Tower so much that he ate lunch at the base of the tower every day, as it was the only spot in all of Paris where he couldn’t see it.
4. During World War II, the Great Mosque of Paris provided a haven for Jews, offering them shelter and supplying them with Muslim identity certificates to protect them from persecution.
5. Back in 1863, Jules Verne wrote a manuscript called “Paris in the 20th Century,” which predicted everything from glass skyscrapers to feminism to a rise in illegitimate births. Unfortunately, his publisher advised against publishing it, as it “broke no new ground” and was deemed “unbelievable.”
6-10 Facts About Paris
6. At the start of the 20th century, Paris had a zoo that showcased humans from its colonies in Madagascar, India, China, Sudan, Congo, Tunisia, and Morocco. The zoo attracted over a million visitors.
7. King Edward VII frequently visited a Paris brothel named “Le Chabanais,” where he bathed in a tub filled with champagne with his prostitutes. The bathtub was later sold to Salvador Dali in 1951.
8. Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, is the largest French-speaking city globally, with a population of over ten million people. Not Paris!
9. There is a Statue of Liberty in Paris facing its American counterpart, symbolizing the friendship between the two nations.
10. The most valuable landmark in Europe is the Eiffel Tower. It is estimated to be worth around 435 billion Euros.
11-15 Facts About Paris
11. Paris is home to 173 museums and 1,803 monuments, making it one of the most culturally rich cities in the world.
12. The Louvre Museum is so large that it would take around 35 days for a visitor to see every artwork in the museum for only 30 seconds each.
13. Carrier pigeons are still used by the French army and are kept at the Mont Valérien near Paris for emergency communications.
14. Becoming a taxi driver in Paris is a difficult and expensive process, with licenses costing around 200,000 Euros.
15. During WWI, France built a fake Paris close to the capital to confuse German pilots and keep the actual city safe.
16-20 Facts About Paris
16. Before the Nazi armies invaded Paris during World War II, the Louvre art museum was evacuated, and its contents were secretly distributed among wealthy French citizens, who hid them in their homes around the country.
17. Tom Cruise may be a beloved Hollywood star, but he won’t be receiving honorary citizenship from the municipal government of Paris, which has cleared a resolution to forbid him from doing so.
18. The annual competition for the best baguette in Paris is a real event, and the winner does get the opportunity to supply bread to the Élysée Palace (the official residence of the President of France) for a year.
19. Photography enthusiasts beware: It’s actually illegal to reproduce photos of the Eiffel Tower at night.
20. During World War II, the French cut the lift cables on the Eiffel Tower to prevent Hitler from accessing the top. Can you imagine the look on his face when he had to climb all those steps? Priceless.
Read More: 20 Fascinating Adolf Hitler Facts That You Should Know
21-25 Facts About Paris
21. Hitler gave orders to destroy Paris on the eve of the Allied liberation in 1944, but the Nazi General in control of Paris deliberately ignored the order.
22. Originally, Barcelona, Spain, was supposed to be the location of the Eiffel Tower. However, the project was rejected because they thought the thing would end up looking like an eyesore.
23. A con artist, Victor Lustig, successfully “sold” the Eiffel Tower twice. Talk about a tall tale!
24. The Eiffel Tower is lit up by 20,000 light bulbs. That’s enough to make even the grumpiest Parisian smile.
25. Erika Eiffel, formerly Erika Berlin Wall, has been married to the Eiffel Tower for almost 17 years. Talk about a weird fetish!
That’s it for this post guys, I hope you had fun while reading 25 Interesting Paris Facts For Kids.
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