10 Crazy Facts About Paris

Paris is so much more than the capital of love. It offers so many interesting quirks and facts that make it one of the most exciting and interesting cities in the world. Here are 10 of the best tid-bits about Paris.

1. Paris Syndrome

Paris

Many Japanese tourists have been sent back to Japan once arriving in Paris, as they suffer from extreme shock that is often referred to as “Paris Syndrome”. It is thought they are often unprepared for the reality that Paris is, arguably, not the greatest place in the world.

2. Parisian Dinner

Jim Haynes

Do you often dream of dining in Paris? Well, you should definitely consider visiting the home of Jim Haynes. He has been inviting complete strangers to his home for a dinner party for thirty years, and you can register to join him.

3. The Great Mosque of Paris

The Great Mosque of Paris

During World War II, The Great Mosque of Paris sheltered Jews from the Holocaust, and even supplied them with Muslim identity certificates to ensure their safety.

4. The Sisters

Paris and Rome

Many people don’t know that Paris has a sister: Rome. Both are equal counterparts, and both use the motto: “only Paris is worth of Rome; only Rome is worthy of Paris”.

5. Fake Paris

Paris

In order to confuse German pilots during WWI, France built a fake Paris to preserve their historic city and keep Parisians safe.

6. Kangaroos

Kangaroos Paris

If you head to Emance, the township just an hour outside of Paris, you might come across some kangaroos. They descended from the breeding population that escaped during a failed burglary attempt at an animal park back in the 1970s.

7. The Louvre

The Louvre

The Louvre protected its contents during World War II by distributing them among wealth French citizens, who hid them in the houses to prevent them from being stolen by Nazis or damaged following an enemy attack.

8. The Statue of Liberty

Statue of Liberty Paris

New York isn’t the only city that offers the Statue of Liberty. France built a second Statue of Liberty to face the Eiffel Tower, which symbolises the friendship between the two cities. France gave the Statue of Liberty to New York as a gift of friendship, which created a bond between France and the United States.

9. Les UX

Les UX

Paris is the home to the group Les UX, which spends most of their time breaking into historical sites and monuments to secretly repair them, and they have also built underground cinemas and staged secret artistic events.

10. Zidane Headbutt

Zidane headbutt paris

On top of a second Statue of Liberty, you can also see a statue of Zinedine Zidane’s famous headbutt on Marco Materazzi during the 2006 World Cup final. It is on display outside the Pompidou Centre.

Want to read more facts about some great cities? Read 10 Ripper Facts About Australia.

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3 Responses

  1. Jean says:

    You’re right – that really is fascinating – especially hearing about how Paris dealt with the Nazi invasion of WW2. Amazing (and impressive) the lengths that the French went to in order to protect their cultural history.

  1. September 18, 2014

    […] Do you want to read more facts about famous places? Take a look at 10 Crazy Facts About Paris. […]

  2. October 29, 2014

    […] Want to learn more about our planet? Read 10 Crazy Facts About Paris. […]

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