SoloSights

Paris is full of history, art, and romance – but the city also hides plenty of quirky and surprising facts that you might not know. Here are some of the most unusual ones:

1. The shortest street in Paris is only 5.75 meters long

Rue des Degrés, in the 2nd arrondissement, is officially a street – but it’s really just a staircase. With no house numbers and just a few steps, you can walk it in seconds.

2. There is a metro station that was never used

The station Porte des Lilas – Cinéma was built but never opened for passengers. Today, it serves as a film set for movies and television shows.

3. The baguette comes with strict rules

A “traditional baguette” in Paris can only contain flour, water, salt, and yeast – no additives. It also has to measure between 55 and 65 centimeters in length.

4. There are more pigeons than children

Paris is home to an estimated 80,000 pigeons – more than the number of children under ten living in the city.

5. More people are buried beneath Paris than live above it

The catacombs hold the remains of about six million Parisians – three times the city’s current population.

6. There is a house without doors or windows

On Place de la Concorde, you can find a building with its windows and doors bricked up. This was once a tax-avoidance trick in the 18th century, when property tax was based on the number of openings in a building.

7. The Eiffel Tower shrinks in winter

In cold weather, the Eiffel Tower can be up to 15 centimeters shorter than in summer, when the metal expands in the heat.

These little details remind us that Paris is not only about grand monuments and famous landmarks. It’s also a city of oddities, hidden stories, and unexpected surprises. Next time you wander its streets, look a little closer – you might just discover a quirky detail that most people walk past without noticing.

At Solosights, our walking tours and tour bags are designed to highlight exactly these kinds of stories. We help you explore Paris beyond the obvious, so you can experience the city through its secrets as well as its icons.