Anecdote insolite paris - activities

Did you know? There's an abandoned "ghost" water park in the Yvelines department.

There's no shortage of amazing sites in the Paris region. Such is the case of this "ghost" water park in the Yvelines department. Abandoned for more than 20 years and listed as a Monument Historique in 2009, the former leisure center was a popular spot for families from its inauguration in 1935, and remained so for several decades. Here's the story.

Did you know? The statue of a famous Roman she-wolf is hidden in a Parisian square.

In front of the Sorbonne lies a sculpture with a strong symbolic link between Paris and Rome: a she-wolf. A replica of the Capitoline She-Wolf, it was donated to the French capital as part of the twinning agreement between the two cities, a reminder of the legend of Remus and Romulus.

Did you know? How many replicas of the Statue of Liberty are there in Paris?

Although the best-known Statue of Liberty is in the USA, there are several reproductions around the world, including in the French capital. So where are these statues located in Paris?

Did you know? This Art Deco theater is the only one in Paris with blue decorations!

All Parisian theaters are dressed in red... except one! The Art Deco-style Théâtre Daunou, located next to the Opéra de Paris, is the only one in the capital to be decorated in blue. Find out why!

Did you know? Soon to be transformed, the Main Jaune was a major roller disco venue in the 80's.

Have you heard of the Yellow Hand? If so, you probably grew up in the 80s. Back then, the Main Jaune was a legendary discotheque in western Paris. Better still, the Main Jaune was France's first and best-known roller disco. Closed since the early 2000s, the Main Jaune is soon to be rehabilitated and transformed as part of the "Réinventer Paris" call for projects.

Did you know? A metro ticket originally cost 15 centimes! A look back at its history

As you know, the Paris metro ticket is due to disappear. We take you on a journey through the history of this piece of cardboard, whose price has risen steadily over the years, until it will soon reach €4 for the Olympic Games. A look back at the history of the Paris metro ticket, from its creation in 1900 to its scheduled demise.

Paris: we visited the capital's largest underground organic urban farm

Did you know? Paris's 18th arrondissement is home to an atypical organic urban farm. Hidden away in the basement of an abandoned parking lot in the Porte de la Chapelle district, it's the largest organic urban farm in Paris. Would you like a tour?

Paris: what is this monumental tower erected in front of a fire station?

At 11 meters high, this monumental steel tower doesn't go unnoticed. Erected opposite a fire station in Paris's 17th arrondissement, the sculpture is a real eye-catcher. So what is it, and where exactly is it located? We tell you all about it.

Unusual: what is this sculpture in the shape of an Inca face in Paris?

In Paris, some works are monumental or even unusual. Such is the case of this sculpture in the shape of an Inca face in the 17th arrondissement. So, what is it, where exactly is it and who created it? We tell you all about it.

Did you know? Where is the largest caryatid in Paris and what is its history?

Discover the tallest caryatid in Paris, located on rue Turbigo, an intriguing and mysterious 3-storey structure that has been on display since 1859.

Paris: here's why double-decker buses have disappeared from the capital

Did you know? Double-decker buses ran in Paris until the mid-70s. But why did they disappear from the capital? We tell you.

Who was Charles Michels, the man who gave his name to the line 10 station in the 15th arrondissement?

Located under Place Charles-Michels and Avenue Emile Zola in the 15th arrondissement, the eponymous metro station is particularly well known to those who take line 10 to Boulogne-Billancourt (its terminus) or Gare d'Austerlitz (its other terminus).

Ghost metro stations: discover why Gambetta station is unique in Paris

Served by lines 3 and 3bis of the Paris metro, Gambetta is located in the 20th arrondissement, west of Paris.

Did you know? The Flame of Liberty on the Pont de l'Alma is not really dedicated to Lady Diana.

At the entrance to the Pont de l'Alma stands a beautiful golden flame, often associated with Lady Diana since her death in an accident. Although it is now an unofficial memorial, the Flame of Liberty is first and foremost a symbol of Franco-American friendship!

Metro: why Georges V station almost didn't bear the British monarch's name

In the 8th arrondissement, on line 1 of the Paris metro, the Georges V station is located under the Avenue des Champs-Elysées, at the end of the Avenue Georges V.

Did you know? A boat travels through the sewers to clean them, several times a year.

Did you think that boats only sailed on the Seine in Paris? Well, no, they also snake under our feet, in the sewers, to clean those huge pipes, several times a year!

Paris Metro: who was Colonel Fabien, after whom the metro station is named?

Known as one of the stations on metro line 2, Colonel Fabien station is located on the boundary between the 10th and 19th arrondissements of Paris, just below the Place du Colonel-Fabien. Many commuters use the station on a daily basis, yet few know the identity of the man who gave his name to the square, and later to the station.

Do you know Guy Moquêt, the high school student who gave his name to the metro station?

If you regularly take line 13 on the Saint-Denis Université branch, you're used to passing Guy Moquêt station, in the 17th arrondissement. Behind the name of the station, there's above all the name of a Parisian high-school pupil, whose story we'd like you to discover.

Did you know? There is a subway washing machine in the Paris underground.

Have you ever seen a metro go through the washing machine? Under our feet, between Nation and the maintenance workshops on line 2, our trains are regularly sprayed to keep them clean!

Did you know? The RER A could have been named MERDE (SHIT)

Did you know? In 1970, the iconic RER A, a fixture of Parisian transport, narrowly missed being christened "MERDE". A surprising anecdote thanks to the RATP and a vigilant painter.