What would April 1 be without its famous pranks? From the little drawings pinned to students' backs to tricks that end with a resounding "APRIL FOOL'S DAY", mischiefs come in all shapes and sizes. In real life as online, increasingly outlandish stories grab us, sow doubt, and little by little we lose track of what’s true. Watch out for those who might forget the date, lest they believe the world has gone mad!
And because sometimes reality outshines fiction, rather than playing along with fake news, we flip the rules on our side. Yes, why invent a far-fetched story when certain Parisian anecdotes are already hard to believe. Doubtful? That’s exactly the moment to surprise you with very real stories that could sound like an April Fool's joke. Quirky historical episodes, Paris-inspired expressions, fun facts you never would have guessed... You’ll quickly see that the capital and its region aren’t done with surprises!
The RER A Could Have Been Named MERDE
Did you know? In 1970, Paris's iconic RER A, a mainstay of the city’s transport network, nearly bore the name MERDE. A surprising anecdote attributed to the RATP and a vigilant painter. [Read more]
The expression “There’s a crowd in the balcony” traces back to the Opéra Garnier
This famous French turn of phrase, subtly nodding to a generous décolletage, has its roots in 19th‑century Paris—specifically in the refined atmosphere of the Opéra Garnier. Here’s the story of a world where seduction and propriety mingled in the salons of high society. We bring you the full tale. [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]
Green parakeets spotted in the Paris region arrived by plane
In the Paris region, passersby and locals may occasionally come across green parakeets that stand out in the capital’s landscape and its suburbs. But why are these exotic birds now seen in Paris and Île-de-France? It all began with an incident at Orly airport. [Read more]
A Nile crocodile actually lived in the Paris sewers
Yes indeed, this isn’t a legend: a crocodile actually lived in Paris’s sewers. Caught in 1984, the reptile was later taken in by an aquarium in Brittany. Discover the story of Éléonore, the Paris sewer crocodile. [Read more]
The Opéra Garnier Really Does Have an Underground Lake!
An artificial lake tucked away in the cellars of the Opéra Garnier in Paris? Far from a myth, it’s real. So why is it there, and can you visit it? Here’s what you need to know. [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 phrase to wait 107 years is tied to Notre-Dame de Paris
'We’re not going to wait a hundred and seven years!' This quintessentially French, cantankerous yet exaggerated saying traces its origins to medieval Paris. Amid dust and clanging hammers, it was born from the never-ending chantier of Notre-Dame de Paris, where the wait tested the legendary patience of Parisians. [Read more]
A wager sparked the creation of Bagatelle Castle in Paris
Did you know that a simple bet between Marie-Antoinette and her brother-in-law, the Count of Artois, was behind Bagatelle Castle? Here’s the story behind this outrageous anecdote! [Read more]
The Joan of Arc Statue in Paris Has Been Secretly Replaced
The equestrian statue of Joan of Arc that proudly crowns Place des Pyramides in the 1st arrondissement is among Paris's most iconic landmarks. Since its creation in the 19th century, it has continuously symbolized a political issue, even as 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 metro washing machine in Paris’s underground tunnels
Ever watched a subway go through the wash? Beneath our feet, between Nation and the maintenance workshops on Line 2, the trains are routinely sprayed down to keep them clean! [Read more]
The Sacré-Cœur Cleans Itself! Here’s the Secret Behind Its Whiteness
The Sacré-Cœur, that iconic monument rising over Paris from Montmartre Hill, is renowned for its remarkable architecture and its stones, gleaming white. So what’s 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 is the day for jokes celebrated on April 1?
Every April 1, pranks—big and small—make their return for April Fools’ Day. But why do we celebrate this day, and why do we tell jokes on April 1? Here’s the story and origins of this April Fools’ tradition. [Read more]
Dates and Opening Time
On April 1, 2026
April Fools’ Day: why is the day for jokes celebrated on April 1?
