Guide anecdote

Is the beret really Parisian? Spoiler alert: not so much

Long associated with the image of the Parisian, the beret was not actually born in Paris. Its origins lie much further south, in the Pyrenees!

Where does the word Paname, the slang nickname for Paris, come from?

"Paname", the popular and affectionate nickname for Paris, has been intriguing people for over a century due to its widespread use, particularly in slang and artistic language. But what exactly is the origin of this surprising word, which is more reminiscent of Central America than of the French capital?

Why is rue du Poil-au-Con now called rue du Pélican in Paris?

In Paris, rue du Pélican, located in the 1st arrondissement, hides a sulphurous past: in the Middle Ages, it was called rue du Poil-au-Con, because prostitution was legalized under Saint-Louis. That's our story for today!

Did you know? In Paris, street numbers follow the course of the Seine.

In Paris, street numbering, introduced as early as the XIXᵉ century, follows a simple logic: it takes as its reference the river that crosses the capital.

Who was Roland Garros, the man behind the name of the famous Paris stadium?

Roland Garros, aviator and aeronautics pioneer from Reunion Island, gave his name to the stadium that hosts the French Open tennis tournament. But who was he? We tell you his story.

Paris coat of arms: history and significance of the boat on the capital's coat of arms

Why is there a boat on the Paris coat of arms? If you're wondering, the editors of Sortiraparis may have the answer. History of the Paris coat of arms, from the seal of the water merchants to the motto "Fluctuat nec mergitur"... We tell you all!

Did you know? Why is Paris called the "City of Light"?

Do you know why Paris is nicknamed "The City of Light"? We explain how the capital earned this title!

History of France: The Affair of the Necklace, the scandal that cost Marie-Antoinette dearly

The Affair of the Necklace is an episode that is regularly mentioned when discussing the life of Marie-Antoinette and the events leading up to the French Revolution. But what exactly is it all about? A look back at a famous swindle that left its mark on French history.

The day the 16th arrondissement of Paris refused to be the 13th because of a popular expression

Paris wasn't built in a day, and has grown over the years, as shown by its various arrondissements. And did you know? The 16th arrondissement was originally intended to be the 13th, but firmly refused to be given this number. We explain why!

Le Chevalier d'Eon, the transformist spy knight who marked French history

Did you know? One of the most unusual characters in French history was a very special knight-spy who tended to cross-dress to carry out his missions. This is the story of Charles d'Éon de Beaumont, the transformist knight.