Paris history

Paris Sewer Museum: nighttime tours by carbide lamp in November and December

The Paris Sewer Museum is offering guided tours by carbide lamp on November 20 and December 18, 2026. A demonstration of this lighting method precedes the underground tour, which is limited to groups of twelve visitors.

Sainte-Anne during the Occupation: a guided tour on November 11

The MAHHSA is offering a guided tour of Sainte-Anne Hospital during the war on November 11, 2026, in Paris. Two departures, at 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., will explore the site’s history under the Occupation.

Prisoners: the free exhibition on Saint-Lazare Prison in Paris

At the Françoise Sagan media library and in Alban Satragne Square, Women Prisoners traces the final years of Saint-Lazare prison. Photographs, archives and testimonies shed light on the history of the women held there from 1919 to 1932.

Before the Musée d’Orsay: when Orson Welles filmed The Trial in the former railway station

In 1962, Orson Welles set up some of the sets for The Trial in the Gare d’Orsay. The Parisian building, which became a museum in 1986, still has a clock that appears in the film.

Forum des images in Paris: history and practical information at Les Halles

Since 1988, the Forum des images has been bringing cinema to life in the heart of Les Halles, in Paris’s 1st arrondissement. Screenings, festivals and discussions make up the cultural venue’s program, which also embraces digital creation. Here’s a look back at its history and practical information for getting there.

Hôtel du Nord in Paris: the real location and the cinema set recreated in Billancourt

Along the Saint-Martin Canal, the Hôtel du Nord inspired Marcel Carné’s 1938 film. The sets by Alexandre Trauner, filmed in Billancourt, and the Arletty footbridge tell a different story about the place.

From 1948 to 2026: the 2CV makes its comeback at the Paris Motor Show

Born in Citroën's Paris offices and unveiled at the 1948 Salon, the 2CV is a staple of automotive heritage. Its story casts light on the concept showcased at Mondial de l’Auto 2026.

On this day in history: the cornerstone of the Arc de Triomphe was laid in Paris.

On August 15, 1806, the first stone of the Arc de Triomphe was laid, erected by order of Napoleon I to perpetuate the memory of the victories of the French armies. Here is the story of the moment that gave birth to one of Paris’s symbols.

La Fête de Paris 2026: a popular, free festival featuring a guinguette, dancing and a historic village

Amateur historians and lovers of the capital, La Fête de Paris is back on September 12 and 13, 2026. From a historic parade to a guinguette, dancing, and a village that feels like a journey through time, travel from the Middle Ages to the Liberation, via the Belle Époque!

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.

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.

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.

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.

History of the Paris Carnival: A Medieval Tradition Long Celebrated in the Capital

Colors, music, costumes, and food... The Paris Carnival has long been a grand celebration that lit up the city for decades. But do you know the history behind this festive event?

The last 13 Christmas trees at Galeries Lafayette from 2025 to 2013

Discovering the huge Christmas tree at Galeries Lafayette has become a real tradition in Paris. Every year since 1976, it has adorned the center of the dome of the famous Parisian department store. Like every year, everyone has their say on whether it was better or worse than last year. So we thought a little falsh back of the photos from the last 12 years would give you a better opportunity to compare.

Time Travel Kiosk: experience the history of Paris in virtual reality on the Champs-Élysées.

The Champs-Élysées is home to the Time Travel Kiosk, a virtual reality installation created by Timescope, where you can relive significant historical events such as the Liberation of Paris or the return of Napoleon I's ashes. See you in March 2026 to travel back in time on the Champs-Élysées.

Did you know? France's roads start at ground zero, in front of Notre-Dame de Paris.

Paris' long history gives it a number of advantages, not least that of being the starting point for all the roads in France. It has been the country's capital for centuries, and is home to ground zero, located on the forecourt of Notre-Dame Cathedral.

Did you know that a sublime and unusual Parisian façade is hidden in Cité Malesherbes?

Among the most beautiful facades and buildings in Paris is the one designed by architect Anatole Jal, for and by painter Pierre-Jules Jollivet. Nestled in the peaceful, hidden Cité Malesherbes, this marvel of biblical scenes is well worth a visit. We tell you all about it.

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.