Fun Facts About Paris For Kids

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Paris is a beautiful city with so much to offer tourists and locals alike. But did you know that Paris is also home to some interesting historical facts and fun trivia? Here are just a few of the many fun facts about Paris for kids!

Fun Facts About The People Of Paris

Anywhere you go in the world, the local people have a huge effect on the personality and beat of a city.  Paris is no different!  Here are some fun facts about the people who were either part of Paris’ history long ago, a little more recently, or who live there today.

• The people of Paris are called “Parisians”.
• The population of Paris is over 2 million people.
• The average age of a Parisian is 38 years old.
• Currently, around 17% of the population is under the age of 15.
• The average life expectancy in Paris is 84 years.
• There are around 200 nationalities represented in Paris.
• The most popular Parisian names are Louis, Jean, and Marie.
• Charles de Gaulle began as a French soldier in World War I, became an exiled leader, then finally the president of France. He served as president from 1959 to 1969.  Today, Paris’ major international airport is named after him.
• Marie Antoinette, the famous Queen of France from 1774 to 1793, married the future French king Louis XVI when she was just 14 or 15 years old.
• French King Louis XVI was guillotined in 1793, during the French revolution.
• Emma Watson, who played “Hermione Granger” in the Harry Potter movies, was born in Paris.
• Claude Monet also planted the water lilies he famously painted in many of his artworks.
• Napoleon III was the first president of France in 1848.
• Antoine Lavoisier discovered the element oxygen in the 18th century.
• Madame Marie Curie discovered the element radium in 1898.  She also helped to find treatments for cancer.
• The first known inhabitants of Paris were a Celtic tribe, the Parisii, who settled there around 300 BC.
• Edith Piaf, a French singer from the early 1900s, was under 5 ft (1.5m) tall.
• Coco Chanel was the French fashion designer behind the company Chanel.  They created a perfume titled Paris.
• The Hunchback of Notre Dame’s name is Quasimodo. He is based on a real person! He first appears in the book written by famous French writer, Victor Hugo in 1831 and was made into a cartoon film by Disney.
• People from all over the world have been immigrating to Paris relatively steadily since the 1820s.

Fun Facts About The Landmarks Of Paris

Paris is home to some of the most iconic landmarks in the world. From the Eiffel Tower to Notre Dame, there are just so many places to explore! Here are a few fun facts about some of these famous Parisian landmarks.

• The Eiffel Tower was built for the World’s Fair in 1889 and was originally supposed to be temporary. It is now one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world!
• The Eiffel Tower has 1,665 steps.
• Notre Dame Cathedral was built in 1163 and is one of the most famous Gothic cathedrals in the world.  It nearly burned down in a fire in 2019!
• The Louvre Museum is the largest art museum in the world and houses some of the most famous works of art, like the Mona Lisa.
• The Arc de Triomphe was built in 1806 to honor those who fought in the French Revolution and Napoleon’s army.
• The Palace of Versailles was the home of French kings and queens for centuries. It is now a popular tourist destination, known for its beautiful gardens.
• Pere Lachaise Cemetery is the largest cemetery in Paris and is the final resting place of many famous people, like Oscar Wilde and Jim Morrison.
• The Moulin Rouge is a famous cabaret in Paris that was opened in 1889. It is known for its can-can dancers and has been featured in many movies, like Moulin Rouge (2001).
• The Catacombs is a network of tunnels under Paris that was used as a burial ground in the 18th century. It is now open to the public as a tourist attraction.
• Montmartre is a hill in Paris that is home to the Basilica of the Sacre Coeur.  It has some of the best views of the city!
• The River Seine runs through Paris and is a popular spot for sightseeing cruises.
• The Pantheon is a former church that is now a burial ground for French citizens who have made significant contributions to the country.
• Disneyland Paris is one of the most popular tourist destinations in France and is the largest Disney park outside of the United States.

What Is Paris Famous For?

Paris is one of the world’s most famous cities, famous for many things! Here are just a few of the things that Paris is known for:

• Amazing landmarks like the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, and the Louvre Museum
• Beautiful gardens and parks
• Delicious food like croissants, baguettes, and macarons
• Being the City of Love!  Paris is considered the most romantic city in the world.
• Paris is also known as the City of Lights
• Fashion and style
• Shopping
• Art and culture
• Being home to many medieval philosophers and early scientists

Fun Facts About The History Of Paris

Paris has a long and rich history that has made it the city it is today.  Here is a brief history of what the city has been through dating all the way back to its founding through World War II.

• Paris is said to have been founded by the Parisii, a Celtic tribe in 300 BC.
• The Romans conquered Paris in 52 BC and it became an important city in their empire.  They called the city Lutetia Parisiorum.
• After the fall of the Roman Empire, Paris was ruled by the Franks.
• In 885, the Vikings sacked Paris.
• The French Revolution began in 1789 and ended in 1799.
• In 1814, Napoleon was defeated and the monarchy was restored in France.
• In 1848, France became a republic.
• In 1870, Paris was besieged by the Prussians during the Franco-Prussian War.
• In 1871, the Paris Commune was established.
• In 1914, World War I began. 
• On 28 June 1919, the Treaty of Versailles was signed at the Palace of Versailles ending World War I.
• Paris was occupied by the Germans in 1940 during World War II.
• In 1944, the Allies liberated Paris from German occupation.

Paris Trivia

Every famous city has some cool and interesting trivia facts.  Here is some trivia about the City of Lights:

• The oldest house in Paris was said to have been built in 1407.
• There are over 400 bridges in Paris!
• The Eiffel Tower was the tallest building in the world until 1930.
• The Louvre Museum is the most visited museum in the world.
• Paris has more than 100 museums!
• There are over 6,000 streets in Paris.
• The metro system in Paris has 16 lines and 400 stations.
• There are high-speed TGV trains and regular speed trains that service Paris.
• There are 20 neighborhoods in Paris called arrondissements.
• The 1st arrondissement is located in the center of Paris on the right bank of the River Seine.
• There is only 1 stop sign in all of Paris!
• There are over 40,000 restaurants in Paris.
• The word boulevard is a French word for a large street and there are many in Paris.
•  Paris (along with the rest of France) celebrates Bastille Day, France National Day, on 14 July with great festivities and food!
• Paris has 37 bridges.
• Pablo Picasso, the famous painter, lived in Montmartre, a section of Paris, for many years.
• Paris was not always the capital of France. When France was under Roman rule, the capital of France was Lyon. Paris became the capital of France in 508 under King Clovis. 
• There is a giant functioning sundial at Place de la Concorde Square.
• Paris has its own miniature Statue of Liberty.
• There are millions of human remains buried below the city.
• There are an estimated 300,000 dogs living in Paris.
• Actor Tom Cruise once requested honorary citizenship of Paris but was denied.
• Faubourg Saint-Honoré is a famous fashion district in Paris.
• Paris has a football club called Paris Saint-Germain.
• 10 of the world’s 100 largest companies have their headquarters in Paris.
• There are 17 public universities in the Paris region.

Fun Facts About Geography Of Paris

Paris is located in an interesting area of the country of France.  Here are some fun facts that describe the geography of this famous tourist destination.

• Paris is located in the north of France in the Ile-de-France region. 
• The River Seine runs through Paris, dividing it into two sections – the left bank and the right bank. 
• The Seine River is France’s 3rd longest river at 777 km long.
• There are beaches you can visit along the River Seine.
• Paris has an area of 105 square kilometers.
• The highest point in Paris is Montmartre with an elevation of 130 meters.
• The lowest point in Paris is on the River Seine which has an elevation of 2 meters.
• Paris experiences an oceanic climate with cool winters and mild summers. 
• There are two islands, that are part of Paris, the Île Saint-Louis and the Île de la Cité.  The Île de la Cité forms the oldest part of the city.

As you can see, Paris is a fascinating city with plenty of interesting things to discover. If you’re planning on visiting Paris with your family, be sure to take the time to teach your kids some of these fun facts about the city. It is entertaining to learn about all the different sights and sounds Paris has to offer! For family friendly places to stay in Paris, this article offers lots of tips and ideas!

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