6 Things I Bet You Don’t Know About Paris!

Ready to see Paris in a whole new light? Beyond the Eiffel Tower and the charming streets of Montmartre lies a city teeming with secrets and stories waiting to be discovered. Because Paris holds mysteries that even the most seasoned traveler – and many locals – might not know.

Dive into these 6 fascinating facts about the City of Light and uncover the layers of history, innovation, and culture that make Paris truly unique.

Whether you’re a history buff, a lover of nature, or simply searching for the next great story to tell, these insights will give you a fresh perspective on one of the world’s most beloved cities

Salut, I am Lena – travel planning expert and parisienne since 2006 🩷

#1 A Hidden River Flows Below The Streets Of Paris

You know about the Seine and likely also about the Canal St. Martin. But did you know that Paris has one more river, only few know about? You find this hidden chapter beneath the lively streets and bustling cafés of Paris: the Bièvre River.

This subterranean stream, originating about 35 km from Paris, once freely meandered through the 5th and 13th arrondissements.

Picture it flowing right through the middle of Rue Mouffetard, where its waters turned mills and powered industries right in the heart of Paris.

However, as the city embraced the industrial age, the Bièvre’s fate took a turn. Tanneries, butcher shops, and dye-makers sprung up along its banks, leading to severe pollution.

To tackle this, from the 18th century onward, Paris began a massive undertaking to conceal the Bièvre. It was covered up and canalized and vanished under urban development.

Today, the river has been repurposed into a rainwater system, flowing quietly into the Seine.

#2 A Roman Arena Hides In The Heart Of Paris

You know the Colosseum and the Arena of Verona, but did you also know that you find massive roman arenas all over Europe and that one is right in the heart of Paris? That’s right!

In the Latin Quarter of Paris lies a lesser-known historical site, the Arènes de Lutèce. This ancient Roman amphitheater, hidden from the busy streets, whispers tales of a time when up to 15,000 spectators gathered to watch gladiatorial combats.

Today, it’s a peaceful spot, unknown to many, offering a quiet slice of history amidst the urban rush.

Finding the Arènes de Lutèce is part of its charm. Its entrance, concealed behind a modest gate on Rue Monge and Rue des Arènes, makes discovering it feel like uncovering a secret past.

Now serving as a public park, it provides a tranquil retreat and a unique peek into Paris’s Gallo-Roman heritage.

#3 Cultural Guerillas Are At Work In Paris

If you think of the Parisian Underground, many things come to mind. But probably not an underground collective formed by historians, architects and other high-skilled professionals who clandestinely repairing and enhancing Paris’s cultural landmarks.

This group, known as the UX (Urban eXperiment), is perhaps best known for their unauthorized yet meticulous restoration of the Panthéon’s clock.

Under the guidance of a master clockmaker, they spent a year reviving the neglected 1850’s Wagner Clock. Their efforts went beyond mere repairs; they established a fully equipped workshop, complete with a living area and internet access, within a disused part of the Panthéon.

Operating mostly at night, the group miraculously avoided detection. After completing their project, they revealed their work to the Panthéon’s administrator, who was everything but happy, and called the police.

The thought of an unauthorized group freely accessing a national monument like the Panthéon was, undoubtedly, unsettling for him.

However, with no concrete evidence to support charges, legal action was ultimately abandoned.

#4 Stop! Not In Paris

Paris is well-equipped with traffic regulation measures, yet, if you pay attention, you’ll notice a peculiar absence: there are no STOP signs in the city!

Since 2012, Parisian traffic has been managed through traffic lights, roundabouts, and the universal right-of-way principle, but not a single STOP sign directs the flow at intersections.

There was a lone holdout, which, as the last STOP sign in Paris, became a target for souvenir hunters and was repeatedly stolen until it was finally not replaced in 2016.

The rationale behind Paris’s “no stop sign policy” is straightforward: it streamlines traffic flow. By relying on the right-of-way rules instead of STOP signs, the city aims to keep traffic moving more smoothly and efficiently.

#5 A Monument Older Than Paris

Paris was founded in the 3rd century BC by a Celtic tribe known as the Parisii. Even before the Romans arrived, naming the Lutetia. But, did you know that the oldest monument dates back way earlier?

Right in the center of Paris, you’ll find the Luxor Obelisk. It was a gift from Muhammad Ali Pasha, the ruler of Ottoman Egypt, back in 1830.

The Obelisks is originally from the Luxor Temple in Egypt. It was made during Pharaoh Ramses II’s time, who reigned from 1279 to 1213 BC.

It landed in Paris in 1833 and was set up in Place de la Concorde three years later. Hence, the oldest monument in Paris is almost a 1000 years older than the first settlement.

#6 The Blue & Red In The French Flag

Ever curious about the blue, white, and red of the French flag? Let’s dive in, starting with white – it’s a nod to France’s rich history of monarchy and royalty.

Now, onto the blue and red: these colors are straight from Paris itself.

Am I the only one who finds it curious that the Capital is so strongly represented in a countries Flag? Maybe that’s one of the reasons why the Parisians are overall not so well seen in the rest of France. Who knows?

Anyway, blue and red represent the traditional colors of Paris, tied to Saint-Denis and Saint-Martin, and were even featured on the city’s coat of arms.

Here’s a quirky tidbit, as we’re talking about flags already: ever wonder why Paris’s emblem includes a ship, especially when the city isn’t close to the sea?

It symbolizes the Seine’s merchants and has been part of the city’s identity since 1210. The motto “Fluctuat nec Mergitur,” which translates to “tossed by the waves but does not sink,” gained new popularity as a rallying cry for resilience after the 2015 terror attacks.

Parisienne since 2006 🩷

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