Le saviez vous guide

Did you know? You can acquire a genuine Paris paving stone for about ten euros.

What if you left Paris with a real piece of the City of Light tucked into your suitcase? It’s possible!

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.

The Collège des Bernardins: one of the oldest medieval buildings in Paris to visit free of charge

Let's discover the Collège des Bernardins - one of the oldest medieval buildings in Paris. Be sure to visit this 13th-century gem, located in the heart of the Latin Quarter and open to the public free of charge. Open all year round, this cultural space offers a variety of exhibitions and events, and even a café-restaurant.

This flower-filled park in the Yvelines hides an arboretum, royal secrets, and has inspired Blake and Mortimer.

In Buc, in the Yvelines, the park of Haut-Buc Castle is freely accessible year-round. A pedagogical arboretum, Louis XIV’s secret child, an eccentric astronomer, and the backdrop for Blake and Mortimer: this estate has more than one story to tell. Here’s more about this superb place in full bloom, a must for tulip lovers.

This keep in Essonne is a miniature replica of Philippe Auguste's medieval Louvre.

Did you know? The keep of the Château de Dourdan, in Essonne, was built on the same model as Philippe Auguste’s medieval Louvre. Just 44 km from Paris, this listed monument is open to visitors year-round.

Yvelines: where does the name of this 78-numbered department, formerly known as Seine-et-Oise, come from?

The Yvelines department (78), located to the west of Paris in Île-de-France, bears a name with surprisingly medieval roots. A vanished forest, ancient Latin, and a Versailles-born poet are behind this appellation, adopted by the National Assembly in 1968 to replace Seine-et-Oise. Here’s the full story.

Why is this little-known Montmartre house guarded by two imperial eagles?

Under the shadow of the famous Maison Rose, Rue de l'Abreuvoir hides a shrine in honor of Napoleon. Guarded by two majestic imperial eagles, this house was once the home of a historian obsessed with the emperor—a historically offbeat stop that challenges Montmartre’s bohemian image.

World Unicorn Day: So, where does this legendary creature actually come from?

She spews glitter, smells of roses, leaves flowers and rainbows in her wake: the unicorn is kids’ favorite legendary creature. Having made a strong comeback in pop culture in recent years, the unicorn remains an object of eternal fascination. On the occasion of World Unicorn Day, this Thursday, April 9, 2026, let’s explore its origins together.

These archaeological remains of a Gallo-Roman villa can be visited on a campus in Essonne.

In Yvelines, you can climb to the top of this tower for a sweeping view of the medieval town.

Rising 25 metres above the Yvelines, Houdan's keep hides a history as solid as it is unusual. A survivor from the 12th century, this stone colossus weathered demolition by being transformed into a functional water tower for nearly a century. An architectural curiosity that today offers an exceptional panorama of the medieval town.

The only medieval keep with buttresses in Île-de-France is located in the Yvelines.

In Yvelines, at Maurepas, the remains of a 20-meter-high cylindrical keep stand as the sole remnant of a medieval fortress from the 12th century. Recognized as a historic monument since 1926, it still holds the secrets of a turbulent past. Here’s the story.

Did you know? Why do we indulge in chocolate during Easter celebrations?

It’s a well-known fact: sweet lovers and connoisseurs indulge in kilos of chocolate during Easter celebrations in 2026. But do you really know where this tradition comes from? Here's what you need to know.

This iconic stadium of French football conceals the ruins of a 12th-century church in the Yvelines

Behind the iconic gates of the National Football Center lies a surprising history that extends far beyond the sport. Long before it became the training ground for France’s national team, the Clairefontaine estate has endured centuries of change—from an English hunt pavilion to a war wounded refuge—while still preserving remnants of a 12th-century church.

Heritage: What exactly is a "Remarkable Garden"? Where does this prestigious label come from?

If you enjoy strolling through Paris and the Île-de-France region, you've probably already come across the "Remarkable Garden" sign. But what exactly does this label signify? Here's what you need to know.

Did you know? Before the metro, Parisians traveled by horse-drawn omnibus — the ancestor of today’s RATP network.

Before the advent of the metro, Paris was served by horse-drawn omnibuses. From 1828 to 1913, these large horse-drawn carriages crisscrossed the city streets, laying the groundwork for what would eventually become the RATP.

Did you know? Bois de Boulogne was once a royal hunting forest.

Did you know that Bois de Boulogne, the lush green oasis in Paris's 16th arrondissement, was once a vast royal forest where French monarchs came to hunt? Here’s a captivating journey through its millennia-old history.

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...

This stunning monument on the Île de la Cité exhibits an asymmetry, the result of a whimsical decision by Haussmann.

Located on the Île de la Cité, at the very heart of Paris's historic judiciary district, the Commercial Court building stands as an often-overlooked masterpiece of the Second Empire era. With its imposing dome and lavish interior, this architectural gem conceals a bold design choice: a deliberately offset dome crafted to accommodate the urban planning visions of Baron Haussmann.

Yvelines: 13th-century Gothic chapel, now restored, saved by a painter

In Croissy-sur-Seine, in the Yvelines, a 13th-century Gothic chapel nearly vanished from view. The Saint-Léonard-and-Saint-Martin Chapel guards nearly a thousand years of history—marked by royal pilgrimages, mysterious relics, and an unexpected artistic rebirth.

Historic flooding of the Seine in Paris: shocking images of the worst flooding

Do you know the worst flood ever to hit Paris? A look back at the flood of January 1910, a historic event that left its mark on the capital.