Discover 10 little-known facts about Paris
In this post, we will present a Top 10 list of interesting facts about the City of Light, as Paris, the capital of France, is known. Although it is no longer in first place, the city is still among the 10 most visited cities in Europe and the world, as it has become an iconic city and a global center of culture, fashion and art.
Since the French Revolution, Paris has developed its own style of architecture, known as Art Nouveau, and one of the consequences of this has been its many tourist attractions and incredible places to visit. The most visited attraction in Paris is the Notre Dame Cathedral, with over 12 million visitors every year, not to mention its many museums, including the Louvre Museum, the Centre Pompidou and the Musée d'Orsay.
The city was founded several times, and one piece of evidence for this can be found in its name, which derives from the Gaulish word “paris,” meaning “the height.” However, the city was originally called Lutetia and became the capital of Gaul in 27 BC, when it became known as Civitas Parisiorum (City of the Parisii).
1. History of the City
The history of Paris begins with its occupation by the Celtic tribe of the Parisii, who settled on an island in the Seine (Île de la Cité) due to its strategic location. This first settlement of fishermen and sailors fell under Roman rule around 52 BC, and was renamed Lutetia.
The city was renamed Paris only in the 1358th century, and according to reports, during this time the city resisted a major invasion by Attila through the intervention of Saint Genevieve, who became the patron saint of Paris. And it didn't end there, as in the 1382th century Paris experienced at least three revolts: the Merchants' Rebellion of 1413, led by Etienne Marcel; the Maillotins' Revolt of XNUMX, when citizens rebelled against increased taxes; and the Caboche Revolt of XNUMX, when a merchant led a mob that ended up storming the Bastille.
2 Culture
Paris has a rich cultural heritage, having been home to numerous artistic movements such as Impressionism and Art Nouveau. Architecture lovers will find a piece of Paris around every corner, as the city is home to some of the world’s most iconic monuments, such as the Eiffel Tower and Notre-Dame Cathedral.
Since the 18th century, Paris has been an important international center of high culture, and has been home to some of the world's most famous artists, including Renoir, Monet, and many other well-known figures who have left their mark on the city. Paris is best known for its romantic atmosphere and unique charm, but the city has played a vital role in shaping modern society and influencing many other cultures.
3. World War II
In 1940, Paris was occupied by the Germans, and the population had to endure many hardships during this period, as the German army would terrorize the city with curfews, banning public meetings and demonstrations, raids in search of Jews, and looting any houses suspected of Resistance activity. The population of Paris at that time was around 2 million people, and it was considered by historians to be one of the largest cities in Europe at the time.
In 1941, German planes dropped more than 3.000 bombs on Paris, killing about 2.500 people every week for three months straight. Paris was the political, cultural and intellectual center of the country for four years, and was also one of the most heavily bombed cities in Europe during World War II.
France was one of the countries to use an atomic bomb during World War II, and the country's high-profile nuclear research program led French President Charles de Gaulle to order his country to develop its own nuclear weapons in 1960, rather than relying on NATO to defend the Warsaw Pact with the Soviet Union looming as a potential aggressor.
4. Tourist Attractions
Paris is one of the most visited cities in the world, and has many tourist attractions to offer its tourists. One of its attractions is the Eiffel Tower, built for the Paris International Exhibition in 1889 and originally intended to be temporary. Another very famous attraction in the city is the Notre Dame Cathedral, which was originally a Roman Catholic Gothic cathedral, but now serves as a church dedicated to Saint Mary and the seat of the Archbishopric of Paris.
The Louvre Museum, also known as the Louvre Palace, is another popular attraction among visitors, and houses many works of art from different periods, such as paintings by Leonardo da Vinci and Rembrandt van Rijn.
5. World Heritage
The city has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1991, signifying that the city has universal value and importance to humanity. UNESCO lists it as one of the 28 places in the world that best represent the ideals of human achievement, the list also includes natural sites such as the Grand Canyon in Arizona and Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming.
Furthermore, Paris is one of the oldest cities in France, and there are scholars who believe that its foundation predates even the founding of Rome, housing some of the most important architectural and artistic pieces in the world. However, Paris has had a rather tumultuous history at various points, being occupied by the Romans, Vikings and Prussians, until finally its people managed to gain their independence.
6. Cooking
Everyone loves French food and knows it well, but did you know that the French themselves don’t really agree on what constitutes “French cuisine”? This is because Parisian cuisine is not the same as provincial or country cuisine. In fact, many of the dishes that are considered classic French actually come from other regions, such as Brittany. But it’s safe to say that French cuisine originated in Paris, as that’s where people first started cooking with butter and cream.
Although Parisian food has historically been influenced by the cuisines of other countries, particularly those from Northern Europe, you can still find several uniquely French traditions. Such as escargots and moules frites, which are mussels steamed in a wine sauce with garlic butter and then served with fries. Parisian cuisine is considered to be some of the most sophisticated in the world, with its wide range of flavors and influences.
7. City Divisions
The French capital is divided into 20 arrondissements, this division is often seen as a fundamental element in the organization of Parisian space, and is the result of centuries of evolution that would have been unthinkable before its emergence at the beginning of the modern period.
The history of the Parisian arrondissements began with the Edict of Villers-Cotterêts on 10 November 1539, which specified that “the whole territory shall be divided into communes” (“toute la terroire sera partie en communes”). The aim was to create new local administrations, but it had a much broader significance for the city and for France. The law was intended to establish clear rules for the governance of the territory and population of France.
8. Location
Paris is located in the north-central part of the country, on the Seine River, about 19 kilometers from its mouth in the Atlantic Ocean, 92 kilometers from the English Channel and 120 km from Belgium.
Many things have happened to this great city throughout history, but its original Latin name was Lutetia Parisiorum, meaning “city of the Parisii.” Before 1859, when the city of Paris was officially transformed into a commune (municipality), Paris was not an administrative unit but an agglomeration of villages controlled primarily by a feudal lord.
9. Fashion
The fashion industry in Paris is one of the most important in the world, mainly because it is the birthplace of many famous models. But that’s not all, the City of Lights has also been home to some of the biggest names in fashion, such as Coco Chanel, Yves Saint Laurent, Christian Dior and Louis Vuitton. Today, Paris Fashion Week is one of the most important events for high-fashion designers to present their collections to buyers from all over the world.
The great thing about Parisian fashion is that it can be both sophisticated and affordable, meaning you can find a pair of designer shoes for under €100 or an entire outfit for under €200. However, some things are more expensive here than in other cities, like bags and sunglasses! In Paris, fashion is not a luxury, but a necessity. According to Manuela Pavesi, a French historian and author, “the clothes you wear in your hometown are certainly important, but what you wear in Paris decides your destiny.”
10. City of Love
Paris is considered one of the most romantic cities in the world, with an average of 2 million visitors per year, according to the Global Language Monitor. But the idea of Paris as the city of love has been around since the XNUMXth century, and was fueled by the legend of Amor and Psyche, who met in a garden near Paris and fell in love.
Parisians have a deep connection to their city, and this sense of belonging and pride is reflected in the title of their national anthem: “La Marseillaise” (The Song of Marseille). The French refer to Paris as “the capital of romance” and people often refer to Paris as “the most romantic city in the world.”
The city's motto is “Fluctuat nec mergitur” (“The waves may beat, but they cannot sink it”), a quote from Virgil's Aeneid that has been associated with Paris since 1643.