Paris is one of the most remarkable cities in the world. It has long been a center for fashion, art, and intellectual though. It has been the site of bloodshed, revolution, romance, and incredible beauty. Kidzworld has a few fun facts to help you get a feel for one of the most famous cities ever!
City of Light
- This common name for the city of Paris has a somewhat unexpected meaning.
- It doesn't really refer to actual illumination (though Paris was one of the first European cities to adopt gas street lamps), but rather to the city's reputation for attracting artists and intellectuals,
- Many intellectual movements originated in or were centered around Paris, including the Age of Enlightenment. Some famous Parisian thinkers include Voltaire and Rene Descartes.
Voltaire was a famous French philosopher who lived in the 18th century.
Watch Out!
- It may seem hard to believe if you're used to driving in North America, but in Paris there is only one stop sign.
- In the city, the general rule is that a driver heading to an intersection from the right side of the road has priority.
- This can be a little tricky for pedestrians, especially if you're from out of town, so make sure to look carefully before you cross the street!
Drivers and pedestrians be warnedCourtesy of thelocal.fr
These Old Bones
- By the late 18th century, cemeteries in Paris were overflowing, and the city was running out of places to put human remains.
- Many old bones were exhumed and placed under the city, throughout miles and miles of underground tunnels now known as the Catacombs. The bones from at least 6 million Parisians can be found here!
- If you're visiting Paris, you might want to think about taking a tour of this unique part of the city, but be warned: the Catacombs are not for the faint of heart!
You can take tours through the Catacombs to see these bones up close!Courtesy of hotel-verlaine.com
Mona Lisa Smile
- Paris is home to the most visited museum in the entire world: the Louvre.
- The museum is housed in the Louvre Palace, which was actually once a fortress originally built in the 12th century.
- It opened in 1793 and has been acquiring collections and gaining popularity ever since.
- One of the most famous works in the museum is Leonardo da Vinci's "Mona Lisa".
- If you want to visit that particular painting, though, be prepared to wait your turn. It's often so busy that you can't even get anywhere near the canvas!
The Louvre boasts nearly 35,000 objects from throughout history!Courtesy of eurostar.com
If you didn't want to visit Paris before, maybe you'd like to now. The city is filled with so much history just waiting to be discovered!
Have Your Say!
Have you ever been to Paris? Tell our Kidzworld readers about your experience!
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