Guide anecdote

Did you know? The building that houses the Musée d’Orsay in Paris was actually a former train station.

The Musée d’Orsay, renowned for its collection of Impressionist masterpieces, is housed in a former train station built in 1900. Here’s a look back at the fascinating history of this iconic Parisian landmark, where art and architecture come together.

Why was the Boulevard du Temple in Paris formerly known as the "Boulevard of Crime"?

Why was the Boulevard du Temple in Paris once known as the "Boulevard of Crime"? A look back at the fascinating history of this bustling street, once the heart of the theater scene in the 19th century, famous for its bloody melodramas and blockbuster shows.

MONA, COHI... what do these acronyms displayed at the front of RER trains mean?

If you regularly take the RER, then you have most likely seen these four-letter names at the front of trains and on display screens. COHI, HOVE, or TAVA on the RER E, or GOTA, MONA, VICK, and SARA on the RER C... But do you know what these acronyms, nicknamed "mission codes," mean? We'll explain.

Did you know? This carved cobblestone in the heart of Paris marks the site of a regicide.

At the corner of Rue de la Ferronnerie in the 1st arrondissement of Paris, a discreet carved paving stone commemorates the assassination of King Henry IV on May 14, 1610: a detail that many passersby walk past without even noticing, yet it is the site of a crucial episode in French history.

Did you know? Here's why this square is known as the "sex of Paris".

Place Dauphine is one of Paris's most emblematic landmarks. Did you know that it's nicknamed the "Sex of Paris"? We'll tell you why.

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!

Did you know? Before the Eiffel Tower, the Pantheon was the highest viewpoint in Paris.

Before the Eiffel Tower redesigned the Paris skyline, the Pantheon was the highest viewpoint in the capital. Perched on Montagne Sainte-Geneviève, this monument offered an unprecedented panoramic view of the Parisian rooftops.

Did you know? Why is the Manufacture des Gobelins called that?

Where does the name Manufacture des Gobelins come from? Discover the origins of this mecca of Parisian craftsmanship, born from a family of dyers on the Bièvre River.

Did you know? Each arrondissement in Paris has a name. Discover them!

We are used to listing the arrondissements of Paris... but much less so to naming them. However, each arrondissement of the capital has a name. Can you guess what they are?

A cursed tomb in Père Lachaise? Discover the legend of this immense mausoleum.

Among the tombs of the Père Lachaise Cemetery, an imposing mausoleum is the source of one of the darkest urban legends of this immense necropolis. Discover the myth behind the tomb of Elisabeth Alexandrovna Strogonoff-Dominoff, reputed to be cursed.

Fontaine du Fellah: Why this Egyptian statue in the heart of Paris' 7th arrondissement?

An Egyptian statue in the heart of Paris' 7th arrondissement? That's what piques our curiosity. Find out more about the Fontaine du Fellah, an unusual sight in Paris.

Find out why this cathedral in the Paris region features a skull and crossbones.

At the heart of the city of Pontoise, the Cathédrale Saint-Maclou is a must-see monument. If you've ever been to this charming town in the Val d'Oise, then you may have noticed an unusual detail - a skull-shaped ornament. We explain why a skull and crossbones feature on the church's façade.

Did you know? The expression "faire la grève" ("go on strike") originated in Paris... in front of the Hôtel de Ville.

Did you know? The expression "faire la grève" (to go on strike) originated in Paris, on what is now the Place de l'Hôtel de Ville. Before evoking a demand, it referred to an open-air quest for work by unemployed workers. Discover the astonishing history of this phrase that has become part of everyday language.

Did you know? In Versailles, you can sit on Molière's lap

What a curiosity in Versailles! A statue of Molière, the city's playwright par excellence, invites you to sit on his lap (and it's totally allowed). The bronze statue, designed by Xavier Veihlan, is located in the new bosquet on Place Lyautey. Here's how it works...

Do you know the meaning of Montparnasse-Bienvenüe station? (No, it's not to say "Welcome!")

Delve into the surprising origins of the name of Montparnasse-Bienvenüe station: a double tribute to the Paris metro engineer, and to a poetic hill that no longer exists - not a simple "bienvenue aux voyageurs"!

Did you know? Why is the Marais district in Paris called Le Marais?

Beneath its cobbled streets and private mansions, the Marais hides an unexpected past. Before it became one of Paris's most fashionable districts, it was a vast marshland crossed by ancient branches of the Seine ...

Did you know? Gothic architecture is thought to have originated in Saint-Denis, in the 93 district of Paris.

Is Saint-Denis the cradle of Gothic architecture? We tell you all about the origins of this emblematic style of the Middle Ages, which gave rise to such iconic monuments as Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris.

Did you know? What are the 10 most unusual objects found in the Paris metro?

In the twists and turns of the Paris metro, agents discover much more than forgotten umbrellas. Between a funeral urn, a wooden leg and a Scottish bagpipe, these unusual objects bear witness to the mysterious lives of the 200,000 passengers who lose their belongings every year on Paris transport. We reveal the 10 most original objects, consciously (or not) forgotten.

Did you know? The Eiffel Tower changes size according to the weather.

What if the Eiffel Tower wasn't as immutable as we think? Well, it's not always the same size: its silhouette changes with the seasons. But how can this be?

Did you know: why has dark green become the iconic color of Paris street furniture?

Discover why Parisian benches, fountains and kiosks sport this famous dark green: a tribute to nature, visual harmony, Haussmannian modernization and the capital's signature identity.