Did you know?

This château in Seine-et-Marne doubles as the Élysée on screen.

A château in the Île-de-France region cultivates a resemblance so striking to the Élysée Palace that it has become cinema and television’s favorite double. We take you to meet it in Seine-et-Marne and reveal why—and its history.

The Vampire of Montparnasse: the strange affair that sent 19th-century Paris into a panic

In 1849, a string of cemetery desecrations hits several Parisian burial grounds, rattling the guards and feeding the era’s darkest rumors. Known as the "Vampire of Montparnasse," the mysterious perpetrator is eventually unmasked: a look back at a macabre affair that left its mark on 19th‑century Paris.

In Paris, a cemetery was closed to prevent miracles.

In the 18th century, Saint-Médard Cemetery becomes the stage for a phenomenon that intrigues as much as it unsettles Paris. Supposed healings, spells of convulsions, and religious fervor around the tomb of deacon François de Pâris eventually prompt Louis XV to close the site. A look back at the strange tale of the Convulsionnaires of Saint-Médard!

Did you know? This "esprit frappeur" from the Latin Quarter gave the Paris police a real run for their money.

In the summer of 1860, strange projectiles struck a dwelling on Rue des Noyers, near Rue de la Harpe in Paris. Soon the case fed the lead toward a mysterious poltergeist, with even the police dispatched to the scene said to have been targeted.

Did you know? You can take art history courses at the Louvre in Paris.

In Paris, the École du Louvre offers the general public art history courses, open to non-students, in the heart of the Louvre Palace each year, from September to June. The museum also hosts free lectures on occasion. A perfect way to become an authority on art history!

Did you know? Madonna shot a video for « Holiday » in Cergy-Pontoise during the 1980s.

Before she became one of the world’s biggest stars, Madonna performed "Holiday" in an unlikely setting in Val-d’Oise. A sequence shot at the old Cergy-Pontoise leisure base, early in her career. Here’s the story!

You pass them every day in Paris without noticing: these little bollards and posts hide a royal history.

In Paris, bollards, posts and wheel guards lining the sidewalks have protected façades, pedestrians and terraces for centuries. From carriages to scooters, a retrospective on the history of these urban sentinels we pass by without really seeing.

Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines: the surprising origin of its name

The name of Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, this vast agglomeration in the Yvelines about 20 km southwest of Paris, derives from a small medieval chapel dedicated to a 3rd‑century Roman martyr. A story that few Île-de-France residents know. Here's the story.

This secret royal chapel is a true hidden gem tucked away in a château in Seine-et-Marne.

At the Château de Fontainebleau, in Seine-et-Marne, a royal chapel remains hidden from most visitors. The Lower Chapel of Saint-Saturnin, built under Francis I, only reveals itself on rare occasions — we tell you everything.

Did you know? Disneyland once featured an attraction dedicated to Michael Jackson, and another based on a cult classic film.

At Disneyland Paris, the attractions Captain EO and Honey, I Shrunk the Audience left their mark on Discoveryland with two beloved 3D rides. One transported visitors into the futuristic world of Michael Jackson, while the other was inspired by the film Honey, I Shrunk the Kids. Let’s take a closer look...

The source of the Yvette: a mysterious statue in the Yvelines

Did you know? A mysterious statue represents the source of the Yvette. Nestled in the heart of the Yvelines, in Essarts-le-Roi, an intriguing sculpture marks the birth of this Île-de-France river. Open year-round, this hidden gem can be discovered during a leisurely stroll through the picturesque Chevreuse Valley.

Did you know? The Obelisk of Concorde can also function as a sundial.

Need to check the time but don't have a watch? No worries: the Concorde Square Obelisk can function as a giant sundial... though it's not exactly precise.

Did you know? A fire had devastated the City Hall—here's what it looked like before the blaze.

On May 24, 1871, right in the heart of Paris, the City Hall was destroyed by a fire set during the Paris Commune. Before it was rebuilt in the 19th century, the building showcased a Renaissance style inherited from François I, a look that can still be admired today at the Musée Carnavalet through models and original architectural details. Curious about what it looked like? Here's the story!

Did you know? The museums operated by the City of Paris are free of charge for residents of Rome — and the same applies in reverse.

For decades, a reciprocal agreement has allowed Parisians to enjoy free entry to numerous museums in Rome, and vice versa for Romans visiting Paris. It’s a quiet but tangible benefit of the official partnership between these two capitals. Here’s everything you need to know!

Discover the story of the Arago medallions and their hidden secrets, tucked away beneath the streets of Paris.

It’s one of the longest monuments in the world yet remains almost invisible to the eye. Scattered throughout the heart of the city from north to south, 135 bronze discs conceal a captivating story: that of the Paris Meridian. From the Louvre to the pathways of the Luxembourg Gardens, embark on an unusual treasure hunt through history!

Did you know? Who was Max Linder, after whom the cinema in the 9th arrondissement is named?

A symbol of auteur cinema in Paris, the Max Linder Panorama perpetuates the memory of its founder, a pioneer of silent film. Behind this legendary theater lies the tragic story of a visionary artist who left his mark on the history of cinema. But who was Max Linder? Let us tell you.

Did you know? The expression "to wait 107 years" is linked to the cathedral of Notre-Dame de Paris.

"We're not going to wait a hundred and seven years!"This typically French expression, as grumpy as it is exaggerated, has its roots in medieval Paris. Between dust and hammers, it comes from the interminable construction site of Notre-Dame de Paris, where the wait put Parisians' legendary patience to the test.

Did you know? There is only one remaining milestone in Paris, and it's on rue de Vaugirard.

At the corner of Rue Littré and Rue de Vaugirard, a discreet granite milestone bears witness to the royal measurement system of the Ancien Régime. This historic vestige, freely accessible, is the last remaining milestone in Paris. But what is a milestone? We explain!

Disneyland Paris: did you know? Anthony Daniels was the voice of C-3PO in Star Tours

Did you know that at Disneyland Paris, Anthony Daniels, the interpreter of C-3PO, lent his voice to the French version of Star Tours when the park opened in 1992? We tell you all about it!

Paris: Le Défenseur du Temps, an astonishing automaton clock in the Horloge district of Paris

Ever heard of Le Défenseur du Temps in Paris? This historic automaton clock, recently renovated, awaits you in the Horloge district which gives it its name. Discover its history right up to the present day.