Le Saviez-Vous? discover Paris's unusual anecdotes, places and stories

Paris is one of the world's most fascinating and beautiful cities. With its cobbled streets, quaint cafés and iconic monuments, the city is a historical and cultural gem that can be explored for days on end without ever getting bored. But what also makes Paris so special are its stories, anecdotes and unusual places.

Behind its streets, its historic buildings, its relics, its basements and even its hotels, lie facts and unusual stories and anecdotes that fascinate us. We invite you to discover the secrets of the most emblematic objects and places, as well as the surprising spots that make up Parisian heritage. We warn you, you're about to see the capital in a whole new light!

Did you know, for example, that the Eiffel Tower was originally due to be dismantled after the 1889 Universal Exhibition, but that its transformation into a radio antenna saved it from destruction? Or that the Père-Lachaise cemetery is home to the graves of such luminaries as Oscar Wilde, Edith Piaf and Jim Morrison? Why is the Sacré Coeur so white, and where does the story of the Phantom of the Opera come from?

Did you know? Gargoyles play a key role in the survival of Gothic cathedrals.
They stare down at you from their perches, their eyes frozen, their mouths gaping... but gargoyles aren't there just for decoration! These mystical sculptures, hung on Gothic cathedrals like Notre-Dame, conceal a much more practical function than you might think... Here's how. [Read more]

La Hublotière, Hector Guimard's Art Nouveau villa to visit this summer 2025 in Le Vésinet (78)
Have you heard of La Hublotière? This Art Nouveau villa, designed by Hector Guimard, is hidden away in the heart of Le Vésinet, in the Yvelines department. Exceptionally, it's opening its doors to the public this summer - a golden opportunity to discover our heritage! [Read more]

Did you know? Île-de-France isn't an island... but it's close!
Is Île-de-France really an island without a sea? Take an express dive into the history and mysteries of the name that shapes the identity of France's most effervescent region. [Read more]

Time change: why was it introduced?
This weekend, March 29 and 30, 2025, we switch to daylight saving time: one hour more daylight, one hour less sleep. But where does this system come from, and why was it introduced? We explain. [Read more]

Did you know? The magnolias in the Jardin du Palais Royal are in bloom! What's their story?
It's magnolia season in the gardens of the Palais Royal! Over the past few days, the majestic trees have been decked out in beautiful shades of pink and purple, much to the delight of walkers, tourists and photographers alike. But do you know why there are magnolias in this garden? Back in history... [Read more]

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. [Read more]

Square René-Viviani and its flowering trees, the unusual garden with the oldest tree in Paris
Located just a stone's throw from Notre-Dame de Paris, Square René-Viviani offers a unique bucolic setting in the heart of the capital. With prunus blossoms heralding spring and a robinia tree planted in 1601, the oldest in Paris, this confidential garden is a veritable bubble of greenery steeped in history. [Read more]

Did you know? The Bièvre, a Parisian river, still flows beneath the cobblestones of the capital.
Once upon a time, a river flowed through the 5th and 13th arrondissements of Paris for all to see. It became too polluted in the 19th century, and is now buried beneath the cobblestones of the capital, but continues to flow beneath our feet, deeply hidden. [Read more]

Did you know? Why does Abbesses station bear this name and what makes it special?
Why does Abbesses station bear this name? Located on line 12 of the Paris metro, Abbesses is the deepest station in the capital, nestling 36 meters underground. But behind its famous Art Nouveau aedicula and frescoed spiral staircase, it hides a history dating back over 900 years, linked to a powerful medieval abbey. Discover the origins of this storied name in the heart of Montmartre. [Read more]

Ramadan 2025: why do the dates change every year?
Ramadan 2025 kicks off this weekend in France, and more precisely this Saturday, March 1, 2025, the day after the Night of Doubt, marking the start of the holy month for Muslims. This month of fasting, prayer and spiritual reflection is one of the five pillars of Islam. However, the dates of Ramadan vary from year to year. Why this annual shift? [Read more]

Did you know? 3 unusual facts about Sacré-Cœur
The Sacré-Coeur is the jewel of Montmartre, fascinating visitors with its colossal dimensions and distinctive architecture. But how much do you really know about it? We reveal three unusual facts about the Sacré-Coeur. [Read more]

Did you know? Here are 4 anecdotes about Notre-Dame de Paris
It's one of the most emblematic monuments in Paris! Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral, located on the Ile de la Cité, is full of stories and secrets! Here are a few anecdotes about it! [Read more]

Did you know: which is the oldest museum in Paris?
Paris is home to over a hundred museums. But do you know which is the oldest? Here's the answer... [Read more]

Did you know? There was a circus on the Champs-Elysées in the 19th century.
Everyone knows Cirque d'Hiver, but did you know that Cirque d'Été existed for a few decades on the Avenue des Champs-Elysées, before disappearing forever? [Read more]

Valentine's Day: why is it celebrated on February 14? History and origins
This February 14 is Lovers' Day, more commonly known as Valentine's Day. But do you know who this Valentine is and why we celebrate this event on February 14? We explain the origins and history of Valentine's Day. [Read more]

The Bouglione family circus museum, a well-hidden nugget - our photos
Well-hidden museums abound in the capital, but the circus museum is only accessible to the lucky few. Located in the heart of the Cirque d'Hiver and owned by the Bouglione family, it features exceptional costumes and priceless memorabilia. [Read more]

Did you know? A swimming pool has been hidden beneath the Cirque d'Hiver ring since the 1930s.
There's no shortage of swimming pools in the capital, but few people have ever been able to swim in the Cirque d'Hiver! Hidden beneath the floor of the ring, it was built in the 1930s for water shows. [Read more]

Did you know? Line 14 existed long before the current version, in the 1930s.
Before line 14 became the modern, fast metro we know today, another metro with the same number existed in the 1930s, before being attached to line 13 forty years later. [Read more]

Did you know? Why does the Centaur statue have a miniature Statue of Liberty?
César's Centaure, the impressive 5-metre-high sculpture on the Place Michel Debré in Paris's 6ᵉ arrondissement, raises both astonishment and questions. Created between 1983 and 1985 by sculptor César Baldaccini, this half-man, half-horse work pays homage to Pablo Picasso while questioning our relationship with modernity. But what most fascinates the curious is the secret it hides in its breastplate: a miniature reproduction of the Statue of Liberty, an unexpected wink in this sculpture full of symbols. [Read more]

Did you know? Why does the Arts et Métiers metro station look like a submarine?
One of the most captivating stations in Paris, Arts et Métiers surprises with its unique design. Immerse yourself in the history of this transformed station, an architectural enigma in the heart of Paris. [Read more]

Did you know? An airport was almost built on the Ile aux Cygnes, in the heart of Paris.
In the 1930s, plans were made to build an airport right in the middle of the capital, in front of the Eiffel Tower! It would have made a great landing spot, but for logistical reasons, the project was quickly abandoned. [Read more]

Guided tour of Hôtel de la Païva, a mysterious residence with erotic decorations
The Champs-Elysées harbor many secrets, including the home of the Marquise de la Païva, a former courtesan who had an opulent mansion built, also known as the "Louvre of the ass"... Coming for a visit? [Read more]

Did you know? Why is Avenue de l'Opéra one of the only streets without a single tree?
Avenue de l'Opéra has been completely deserted by greenery, and it's impossible to find a single tree... Why, then, was nature cast aside overnight in the middle of the 19th century? [Read more]

Did you know? The Théâtre Municipal de Fontainebleau is one of the most beautiful Italian-style theaters in the Ile-de-France region.
Do you know the Théâtre Municipal de Fontainebleau? This jewel in the Seine-et-Marne region boasts one of the few Italian-style theaters in the Ile-de-France region. We take you on a tour of its treasures and history. [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]

Did you know? 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 put 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]

Six Nations Tournament: why is the French team jersey blue or white?
If you watch rugby regularly, you'll know: Les Bleus sometimes play... in white! Why do France's rugby shirts change color? We give you the answer. [Read more]

Did you know? 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]

Did you know: why is it always windy in Paris metro stations?
Draughts in the corridors of the Paris metro are commonplace. But why is there so much wind in the capital's basements? We explain. [Read more]

Did you know? Why are the Champs-Elysées so named?
Do you know the origin of the name of the Champs-Elysées, the famous Parisian avenue? Created in 1674 by André le Nôtre and officially named in 1698, this royal thoroughfare takes its name from Greek mythology, we tell you. [Read more]

All you have to do is get your science out and take a stroll around Paris with your friends or family!