Instant Expert - 15 Fascinating Paris Secrets
Paris, the City of Light (or Love), is full of famous landmarks, incredible history, and delightful hidden gems. While the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre get all the attention, there’s so much more to discover about this iconic city. From secret apartments to hidden villages, Paris is filled with surprises waiting to be discovered. We reveal 15 fascinating Paris secrets that will give you a whole new appreciation for its history and charm.
Gustave Eiffel’s Hidden Apartment
At the top of the Eiffel Tower, Gustave Eiffel had a private apartment where he entertained distinguished guests, including Thomas Edison. Covering 100 square meters (1,076 square feet), it sat just above the third floor and below the tower’s campanile, providing the best view in Paris. Today, it has been preserved as a museum.
The Paris Metro Has "Ghost Stations"
The Paris Metro has several abandoned "ghost stations" that are no longer in use. One of the most famous is Croix-Rouge, the last stop on Line 10, which operated from 1923 to 1939. Ironically, the station’s name is not related to the International Committee of the Red Cross but comes from the square Carrefour de Croix-Rouge, renamed Place Michel Debré in 2005. Another ghost station, Saint-Martin, was closed in 1939 and later used by the homeless until 1999, when it was officially designated an Espace Solidarité Insertion and given to the Salvation Army. Arsenal station, opened in 1906, was used as an ammunition depot by the Resistance during World War II and never reopened.
A Vineyard in Montmartre
Tucked away in Montmartre is Clos Montmartre, a hidden vineyard that still produces wine each year. Established in 1933, it is one of the last operational vineyards in Paris. Only a few tours are available annually, mostly in the fall. Interestingly, Clos Montmartre defies many of France’s strict wine-making regulations, earning it the nickname "the outlaw vineyard."
A Man Lived at Charles de Gaulle Airport for 17 Years
Mehran Karimi Nasseri, also known as "Sir, Alfred Mehran," arrived in Paris without proper documents in 1988 and lived in the departure lounge of Terminal 1 at Charles de Gaulle Airport until 2006. A stateless political refugee, he was trapped in legal limbo. His story inspired the 2004 film The Terminal. He eventually left the airport but passed away in his seventies from heart failure.
The Opera House Has a Secret Apartment
The Palais Garnier Opera House features a hidden apartment designed for its architect, Charles Garnier. Known as ‘The Box of Honour,’ it includes a majestic bedroom where guests can experience the architectural splendor of the Palais Garnier.
An Underground Lake Beneath the Opera
Beneath the Palais Garnier lies a mysterious underground lake, originally a natural water source. It inspired The Phantom of the Opera and was constructed to manage the swampy terrain on which the opera house stands. Today, it is used for firefighter training and as a movie set.
The Secret Password to Liberate Paris
During the liberation of Paris in 1944, the French Resistance used the secret password Tante Sally (Aunt Sally). This phrase was inspired by a traditional English game in which players throw sticks at a ball balanced on a stick, sometimes resembling an old woman’s head.
A Hidden Village in Paris
La Campagne à Paris ("The Countryside in Paris"), located in the 20th arrondissement, is a charming neighborhood with quaint houses and tranquil streets. Founded in 1907 by Pastor Sully Lombard, it was originally a housing cooperative built on a former gypsum quarry to help working-class families become homeowners.
A Medieval Tower in the Middle of Paris
Le Tour Jean-sans-Peur ("The Tower of John the Fearless"), built in the early 15th century, is one of the last examples of medieval military architecture in Paris. Once home to the Dukes of Burgundy, today it houses exhibits showcasing medieval life.
A Speakeasy Behind a Taco Shop
Candelaria, one of Paris’s coolest speakeasies, is hidden behind an unassuming taco shop in Le Marais. The intimate space offers Mexican food and world-class cocktails, making it a popular nightlife spot.
The Oldest Café in Paris
Founded in 1686, Le Procope is the oldest café in Paris. It became a gathering place for intellectuals, including Voltaire, and was frequented by American figures like Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin. Revolutionary thinkers also met here to discuss politics over coffee.
A Canal That Runs Underground
The Canal Saint-Martin, a 4.6 km (2.86 mi) long waterway, was built in 1825 to supply Paris with fresh water and facilitate trade. Napoleon I ordered its construction, funding it with a new tax on wine. While parts of it remain open, sections were covered in the 19th century. Every 10–15 years, the canal is drained and cleaned, revealing a trove of discarded objects.
A Secret Elevator in the Arc de Triomphe
Standing 50 meters tall, the Arc de Triomphe honors those who fought for France during the Revolution and Napoleonic Wars. Though most visitors climb the stairs for the view, a hidden elevator inside one of the pillars offers an alternative for those unable to make the climb.
Place de la Concorde’s Bloody Past
Now a famous square, Place de la Concorde was the site of numerous executions during the French Revolution, including those of King Louis XVI and Marie-Antoinette. A total of 1,117 people were guillotined here. Today, the square is home to a 3,300-year-old Egyptian obelisk from Luxor, gifted to France in 1829.
The Catacombs Hold Millions of Skeletons
Beneath Paris, the Catacombs house the remains of over six million people, many of whom died during the Bubonic Plague. Extending over 1.7 km, 20 meters below street level, the tunnels are open to the public. Notable figures such as Jean-Paul Marat and Maximilien de Robespierre are buried here. In 2004, police discovered an underground movie theater run by La Mexicaine De Perforation, complete with a stocked bar and a power supply from an unknown source.
