Paris is the largest city in France and also it’s capital. The urban area of Paris is the biggest economy in Europe and ranks fifth in the world, as measured by it’s economic power, or GDP (Gross Domestic Product).
The City of Paris is also one of the global leaders in business and culture, but it is perhaps it’s dominant influence in fashion, the arts and a fascinating history and architecture that make Paris one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world.
Here are 10 more facts about Paris you may not have known:
10 Interesting Facts About Paris
Paris is often called the “City of Light,” not because of its bright lights, but because it was one of the first cities in the world to have street lighting.
The Eiffel Tower, one of the most recognizable landmarks in the world, was originally built as a temporary structure for the 1889 World’s Fair. It was meant to be dismantled after the fair, but its popularity and value as a telecommunications tower led to it being kept standing.
Paris is home to the world’s largest underground graveyard, known as the Catacombs. It contains the bones of more than six million people and is a popular tourist attraction.
The iconic Parisian landmark, Notre-Dame Cathedral, took over 180 years to build, with construction starting in 1163 and finishing in 1345.
The Louvre Museum in Paris is the largest art museum in the world, with over 38,000 objects on display, including the famous painting, the Mona Lisa.
Paris is home to one of the world’s oldest and most famous universities, the Sorbonne, which was founded in 1257.
The Paris Métro, which first opened in 1900, is one of the oldest and most extensive underground rail systems in the world.
