What would April 1st be without its famous jokes? From the little drawings hung on schoolchildren's backs to the hoaxes that end with a thunderous"APRIL FISH", the jokes are one and the same. In real life, as on the web, stories of varying degrees of farce catch us, sow doubts, and by the end of the day, we're no longer able to distinguish fact from fiction. Beware of those who forget today's date and risk believing the world to be mad!
And because sometimes reality meets fiction, rather than play the game of fake news, we prefer to reverse the rules. Why invent a far-fetched story when some Parisian anecdotes are already hard to believe? Doubtful? Well, this is our chance to surprise you with some very real stories that might sound like an April Fool's joke. Wacky historical episodes, Paris-inspired expressions, fun facts you'd never have guessed... you'll soon realize that the capital and its region have more than enough to surprise you!
The RER A could have been named MERDE (SHIT)
Did you know? In 1970, the iconic RER A, a fixture of Parisian transport, narrowly missed being named 'MERDE'. A surprising anecdote thanks to RATP and a vigilant painter. [Read more]
The expression Il y a du monde au balcon originated at the Opéra Garnier
This famous French expression, which subtly alludes to a generous bosom on display, has its roots in 19thᵉ century Paris, and more precisely in the refined ambience of the Opéra Garnier. A look back at a history where seduction and propriety mingled in the salons of high society. We tell you all about it. [Read more]
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! [Read more]
The green parakeets seen in the Paris region arrived by plane
In the Paris region, passers-by and local residents can sometimes be surprised to come across green parakeets that stand out in the landscape of the capital and its suburbs. But why do we see these exotic birds in Paris and its suburbs? It all began with an incident at Orly airport. [Read more]
A Nile crocodile once lived in the Paris sewers
Yes, there's nothing legendary about it: a crocodile once lived in the sewers of Paris. Captured in 1984, the reptile was later taken in by a Breton aquarium. Discover the story of Éléonore, the crocodile of the Paris sewers. [Read more]
The Opéra Garnier is (really) home to an underground lake!
An artificial lake hidden in the underground passages of the Opéra Garnier in Paris? No, this is not an urban legend, but reality. So why is it there, and can you visit it? We tell you all about it. [Read more]
French fries are French, and a Belgian historian is making the claim!
The debate has been raging for many years between the two countries: France and Belgium both claim paternity of the frite. History has decided: French fries are French! [Read more]
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. [Read more]
A bet is the origin of the Château de Bagatelle in Paris
Did you know that a simple bet between Marie-Antoinette and her brother-in-law, the Comte d'Artois, led to the creation of the Château de Bagatelle? We tell you the story of this crazy anecdote! [Read more]
Statue of Joan of Arc in Paris secretly replaced
The equestrian statue of Joan of Arc, which stands proudly on the Place des Pyramides in the 1st arrondissement, is one of the most emblematic monuments in Paris. Since its creation in the 19th century, it has never ceased to be a political issue, although its history remains little-known. Did you know that the statue we admire today is not the original, but a replica secretly substituted by the artist himself? [Read more]
There's a subway washing machine in the Paris underground
Have you ever seen a metro go through a washing machine? Under our feet, between Nation and the maintenance workshops on line 2, our trains are regularly sprayed to keep them clean! [Read more]
Sacré-Coeur cleans itself! Here's the secret to its whiteness
The Sacré-Coeur, the emblematic monument that dominates Paris from the top of the Butte-Montmartre, is distinguished by its astonishing architecture and dazzling white stones. Do you know the secret behind the Basilica's whiteness? [Read more]
POISSON D'AV... no, really, this is the real thing. By the way, have you ever wondered why we make jokes on April 1st?
April Fools' Day: why do we celebrate Joke Day on April 1? The origins
Every April 1, hoaxes of varying degrees of success make a comeback on April Fools' Day. But why do we celebrate this day and why do we make jokes every April 1? We reveal the history and origins of the April Fool's Day tradition. [Read more]
April Fools' Day: why do we celebrate Joke Day on April 1? The origins
