Paris has to be one of the most visited cities in the world, and one of the top locations in which to live. However, there is more to the city than meets the eye; more than the usual tourist attractions and landmarks that draw in millions of visitors every year.
There is a side of the city that few even notice, a history that many are unaware of and some surprising facts that you are probably unaware of.
An Eclectic City
There is no denying that Paris is an ancient city, with a mystery or two in its past. But just how much do you really know?
- According to French law no building in Paris can be built in excess of six storeys high, in order that everyone can have access to the sunshine.
- The Parisian area of Montparnasse takes its name from Mount Parnassus of Greek Mythology. The mount was home to the Muses and as such many students of the arts recite poetry, paint and play music on the streets here.
- Bastille Day is still celebrated every year in the city. The Bastille being the prison where many political prisoners were held. However when the Bastille was stormed on 14th July 1789 rather than being filled with political prisoners it contained only seven individuals, none of whom were people of any importance (apart from to their families). The prisoners freed that day were mainly petty thieves and cheque forgers.
- Paris is said to be home to somewhere in the region of 300,000 dogs, far exceeding the number of children that reside in the city.
- For a while during the 1930’s part of the city declared itself as a separate and independent republic. The Ile St Louis which is situated right in the very heart of the city declared its independence.
- Paris is widely referred to as the ‘City of Lights’ but this is in reference to the sheer number of intellectuals, artists and writers that the city is home to, and are drawn into the city each year, rather than how well the place is illuminated at night.
- One of the most famous shops in the city is called Shakespeare & Company, it is an English Language book store and the one that published Ulysses by James Joyce back in 1922. The original store may have been closed down by the Nazis but it came back stronger than ever.
- One of the most popular areas of the city, which is home to unique boutiques and the very best night life is Marais. In French, Marais means swamp, and indeed this area was nothing but a stinking bog until in the 13th century a group of monks set about draining the land in order to start developing the Right Bank.
- Every city has a motto, and the motto of the city of Paris translates to ‘Though tossed by the waves, she does not sink’. This is a slightly odd motto for a city which is miles from the coast!
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