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Ahhh, Paris, the city of love, art, and baguettes! Who could resist its fashionable charms observed while sitting in a cozy bistro with a glass of red in their hand while donning a beret on their head and romanticizing everything they see around them? Truly, Paris is a city unlike any other in the world, or as my dad so lovingly calls it - the dog poo capital of the world (seriously, though, Paris has more dogs than kids living in it!). Anyway, I guess you came here to read some interesting facts about Paris, and you shall have them! Yup, this is our list of Paris facts - from ancient times to recent days, there are tons upon tons and tons of cool facts and mysterious myths stemming from this city.

Besides being the capital of dog poo, Paris is also the capital of fashion, croissants, and, well, France. And as with any capital city, it’s full of vibrant life, so before you visit Paris, bear in mind that not all of it is as pretty as in that episode of The Sopranos when Carmella visits it. But hey, that’s the part of the charm - from dirt, dust, and noise to gorgeous chateaus and incredible architecture, this city truly has it all. And, if you feel a bit tired after spending a couple of days in this overwhelming (-ly beautiful) city, you can always escape to Champagne, which is only about an hour north of Paris, and have a glass of bubbly to recuperate. One of the perks of visiting Paris, indeed!

Anyway, enough rambling, let’s skip straight to the interesting facts, shall we? You’ll find all fifty of them just a smidgen down below, and when you encounter one that thoroughly amuses you, be sure to upvote it. After that, share this Paris trivia article with anyone with whom you’d like to visit this gorgeous city!

#1

Tom Cruise Wasn't Allowed To Become An Honorary Citizen Of Paris

Tom Cruise smiling and laughing

Due to Cruise's association with Scientology and many believing he was a sect leader, leaders in Paris voted against this in 2005.

Gage Skidmore , wikipedia.org Report

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    #2

    Tree Counting Is An Official Job In Paris

    Paris city skyline view

    The government pays one lucky person to count all the trees in Paris. There are already 484,000 trees officially registered, and more will be planted in the upcoming years. Paris is now among the cities in Europe with the highest tree cover.

    fusac.fr Report

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    Cuppa tea?
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Walking around, pointing at trees and mumbling numbers while getting paid. I could do that.

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    #3

    Paris Has 450 Parks And Gardens

    Eiffel tower near a park filled with people

    Paris is the picnic capital, which may be attributable to the 450 parks and gardens that dot the city. Although there are many parks and gardens in Paris, the Tuileries Garden and the Luxembourg Garden are the most well-known.

    parisinfo.com Report

    #4

    Paris Has 5 Statues Of Liberty

    Statues Of Liberty near a bridge in Paris

    Many people would find it odd that Paris has several statues of Liberty copies, given that the most famous one is in New York.

    ignis , parisinsidersguide.com Report

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    #5

    There Is A Law About The Exact Recipe For Baguettes

    Multiple fresh Baguettes stacked on top of each other

    Tou have to adhere to the 1993 Décret Pain. The bread must meet specific size requirements and have a particular dough consistency to be recognized as a Parisian baguette.

    cooksinfo.com Report

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    Kip Kip
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The name Parisienne baguette or in French "baguette Parisienne" does not have any specific requirements. Wording like "traditional" has the special requirements.

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    #6

    There Are More Dogs In Paris Than Children

    Brown dog sitting on grass with Eiffel tower behind him

    Dogs are very beloved in Paris. More dogs are living in the city than kids. In Paris, there are about 300,000 dogs, or one for every seven people and every two kids.
     
    As a result, there are many dog-friendly restaurants, cafes, and adorable dog stores. 

    bonjourparis.com Report

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    Dan Holden
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Am I the only one that read that there are more dogs than children only to have that followed up by there being one dog to every two children?

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    #7

    A Painting By Boldini Was Found Inside In A Paris Flat Which Was Locked For 70 Years

    Yellowish building with black roof

    An apartment in Paris has been locked for some 70 years. Someone was paying the rent for it each month, and when the tenant died, a painting by Boldini worth more than $2 million was discovered within.

    boredpanda.com Report

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    #8

    Paris Was Originally A Roman City Called “Lutetia”

    Paris city skyline view

    In 52 BC, the Roman traders operating along the river seized control of Parisii and changed the name to Lutetia. These are just a few of the numerous intriguing name variations for Paris.

    Valérie Guillaume , wikipedia.org Report

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    #9

    The First Photograph Of People Was Taken In Paris

    Old streets of Paris city

    This intriguing bit of trivia about Paris, France, first surfaced in 1838. Boulevard du Temple is depicted in the image, and in the left-hand corner, a man is getting his shoes polished.

    Louis Daguerre , en.wikipedia.org Report

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    #10

    Notre Dame Is Considered Paris’ Point Zero

    Notre Dame cathedral in Paris

    If you visit the neighborhood, you can find a miniature compass in the concrete in front of the church. This location is in the middle of Paris because it is point zero.

    atlasobscura.com Report

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    Fabian Bernard
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Not exactly. It's the point zero for counting distances of cities from Paris. The real middle of Paris is around 100 meters away

    #11

    It’s Illegal To Distribute Images Of The Eiffel Tower At Night

    Lit up Eiffel tower at the evening

    And by distributing, we just mean publishing and selling those images is prohibited. However, sharing those images on social media is entirely legal.

    toureiffel.paris Report

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    CT
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It is valid for other monument because of the copyright for the lighting.

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    #12

    Paris Has An Underground City

    Underground pathway filled with lights

    Paris is undoubtedly a lovely city, but it also boasts an entire city of darkness beneath it, known as the Paris underground city or The Catacombs, they are nonetheless a gloomy location where more than 6 million Parisians' remains are kept.

    Dale Cruse , Béatrice de Andia Report

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    RedPepper
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Paris was built with stones extracted from its underground. The catacombs were originally stone quarries.

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    #13

    You’ll Need Around 144 Days To See Everything In The Louvre Museum

    The Louvre Museum with many people walking near by

    While we're on the art subject, we must notify you that it would take at least 200 days to visit everything in the Louvre.

    Given the grandeur of the items in the Louvre, this amount of time is not even adequate because it would require standing in front of each one for just 30 seconds.

    museums.eu Report

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    #14

    Paris Has An Annual Competition To Find The City's Best Baguette

    Woman looking at the map and holding a baguette

    Paris annually holds The Grand Prix de la Baguette to determine the best french loaf in the city, in addition to the baguette. The 200 participating bakers take this challenge seriously. The winner receives at least 4,000 euros in cash, fame throughout France, and additional clients for their bakery!

    bbc.com Report

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    RedPepper
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The winner becomes also the president's official supplier for one year

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    #15

    Paris Is Not The Largest French-Speaking City In The World

    Woman and man sitting besides the table and drinking and eating

    The capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kinshasa, is the rightful owner of the title. Paris has a population of over 2 million, but Kinshasa has over 12 million people who use French as their official language.

    en-vols.com Report

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    Kip Kip
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I am not arguing that Kinshassa doesn't have a larger population, but stating the 2M for Paris is a bit deceiving, because the way cities originated and grew in Europe (and many other places) is that all cities were small in surface and when a city started growing, it would absorb the neighboring cities. "Paris" in the above definition is only a small part of what everyone considers Paris. One should look at the total continued metropolitan area. The same applies to London for example. The number of inhabitants of the Paris metropolitan area is about 12M. Still smaller than Kinshassa though, but not by that much.

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    #16

    It Was Once Illegal For Women In Paris To Wear Pants

    Woman posing on the road near the Eiffel tower

    Until 2012, women were not permitted to wear pants in public. All women were prohibited from donning "Men's clothing" by legislation that went into effect in 1800, and those who wished to do so had to obtain police authorization.
    However, even with the law in place, women continued to wear pants without facing any repercussions. It wasn't until 2012 that the law was finally repealed because of the efforts of Najat Vallaud-Belkacem, the former Minister of Women's Rights, who claimed that the law could no longer be compatible with contemporary values.

    international.laws.com Report

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    LK
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The wording is incorrect. If 'women were not permitted to wear pants in public' then their clothing would have removed (if they were wearing pants). This did not happen. There was an old law that people ignored, and then in 2012 the law books were give a little declutter and tidy. These are very different things.

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    #17

    Paris Has 37 Bridges

    Bridge over a river in Paris

    Pont Alexandre III, regarded as the most beautiful bridge in the world, Pont De Bir- Hakeim, which offers breathtaking views of the Eiffel Tower, Pont Neuf, the city's oldest remaining bridge, and Pont Des Arts, also known as the Lovelock bridge, are just a few of Paris's most well-known and stunning bridges that are well worth visiting.

    wikipedia.org Report

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    Nicole Weymann
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Pont Neuf [literally the "new bridge"], the city's oldest remaining bridge...life is funny, sometimes.

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    #18

    The Eiffel Tower Was Almost Destroyed During WWII

    Eiffel tower in a cloudy environment

    Orders were given to demolish the Eiffel Tower just before the liberation of Paris in August 1944.

    history.com Report

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    Robert Trebor
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    General von Choltitz, the German military governor of Paris, was ordered by the boss to destroy Paris on his way out. The guy with the mustache asked General Jodl several times "Is Paris burning?" But von Choltitz disobeyed, leaving the light on.

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    #19

    It’s Free To Make Videos In Paris

    Person filming a movie of other people acting

    You might be shocked to learn that recording any commercial video doesn't cost thousands of euros. It is free. Except when filming in museums, parks, or swimming pools, where there is a fee.
    No surprise so many movies, commercials, and other types of filming are shot in Paris daily. Yes, most movies shot in Paris did not pay for the use of the locales. However, if it's a big production, you need permission from the authorities.

    diplomatie.gouv.fr Report

    #20

    Paris Has 6,486 Streets

    Narrow street on Paris filles with people

    Rue des Degrés in the 2nd arrondissement is the smallest at just 5.75 meters, while rue Vaugirard in the 15th arrondissement is the longest at 4.3 kilometers (2.6 miles).

    fabricofparis.com Report

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    𝓚𝓮𝓲𝓽𝓱
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    the arondissement business confuses me because they aren’t all numbered in terms of distance to each other…

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    #21

    Paris Has One Of The Most Famous Paintings In The World

    Painting of Mona Lisa

    The Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci, the world's most prestigious and well-known artwork, is kept in the Louvre Museum in Paris. Even though the artwork is well-known, many people are often shocked by how tiny it is when they see it in person. Its exact dimensions are 77 cm × 53 cm.

    Public Domain , louvre.fr Report

    #22

    The Eiffel Tower Was Initially A Temporary Structure

    Black and white picture of the Eiffel Tower from below

    It was intended designed to last for only 20 years before being destroyed. Still, after seeing how many people loved it and how many people went great distances to view it, that changed the history of Paris and France in general for good. It has become a universal representation of France and a popular tourism destination.

    history.com Report

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    #23

    The Eiffel Tower Was Considered Ugly At One Point

    The Eiffel Tower lit up in the evening

    Guy de Maupassant, a well-known author, ate his lunch directly beneath the tower because it was the only spot in the city where he couldn't view it because he considered it too hideous for his eyes. But today, it is among the most stunning landmarks in both France and the entire world.

    life.com Report

    #24

    The Oldest Standing Bridge In Paris Is Called The New Bridge (The Pont Neuf)

    Oldest standing bridge in the city

    When The Pont Neuf was built, there were already several older bridges; as the newest, it was given the moniker "New bridge." The "new bridge" was no longer the newest one as time passed because all of the "old bridges" fell, and new ones had to be built, but its designation could not be changed.
    Even though the name reads "New," it is currently the oldest bridge in Paris.

    parisinfo.com Report

    #25

    Many Tourists Experience Paris Syndrome

    The Eiffel tower in a foggy environment

    Some visitors have "Paris Syndrome," which causes them to be disappointed when they visit the city due to the numerous, somewhat correct representations of Paris in the media. It's challenging to deal with the less glitzy aspects of Paris (such as crime, filthy streets, and unwelcoming locals).

    japantoday.com Report

    #26

    When The Eiffel Tower Needs Repainting, It's Done By Hand

    The Eiffel Tower from below

    60 tons of paint are manually applied whenever the building has to be painted. The Tower has been re-painted 19 times since its initial construction, an average of once every seven years.

    toureiffel.paris Report

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    Jaaawn
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It's gonna be painted gold for the 2024 Olympics! That sure to look so beautiful.

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    #27

    There Are Around 38,000 Restaurants In Paris

    Man and a woman sitting besides the desk and talking

    There are roughly 12,000 dining options in the heart of Paris. Ninety-four have a single Michelin star, 12 have two, and ten have three. After Tokyo, Japan, Paris has the second-highest number of Michelin-starred eateries worldwide.

    worldcitiescultureforum.com Report

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    #28

    The Tradition Of “Love Locks” Did Not Start In Paris

    Metal fence filled with red love locks

    Due to a failed romance between two young lovers in a tiny Serbian village, the custom of locking padlocks was born (Nada and Relja).
    The young women in the town decided to start locking padlocks with their names and those of their lovers on the "bridge of love" and then tossing the keys into the river as a sign of a lifelong commitment without infidelity because the relationship failed due to Relja's infidelity, which broke Nada's heart. Later, as a gesture of affection, everyone in the town and Serbia began to lock padlocks, and this practice quickly spread throughout Europe.

    nytimes.com Report

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    Fabian Bernard
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The city council had to stop that practice, it was becoming too heavy for the Pont des Arts, making it dangerous. It's totally forbidden today to lock padlocks on the bridge

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    #29

    Paris Is The World Capital Of Fashion

    Woman posing in front of The Eiffel tower

    There is no denying that Parisian and French designers generally set the tone regarding fashion, thanks to world-class luxurious fashion labels like Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Givenchy, Balmain, Dior, and L'Oreal, etc., from France. French fashion has influenced the world, from haute couture to jewelry and handbag manufacturers.

    research.ifdaq.com Report

    #30

    Notre Dame Cathedral Was The Most Visited Attraction In Paris

    Clean and bright Notre Dame Cathedral

    According to 2019 figures, the Eiffel tower saw about 7 million visits, while the Notre Dame church saw about 13 million.

    parisdigest.com Report

    #31

    Paris’ Subway System Is The Second Busiest In Europe

    Picture of Paris metro station

    The Paris Metro, which carries 5.23 million passengers daily, is the second busiest subway system in Europe, right after the Moscow Metro. It is also fourth on the planet.

    Moscow Metropoliten , wikipedia.org Report

    #32

    The Main Bell Of The Notre Dame Cathedral Is Named Emmanuel

    The Main Bell Of The Notre Dame Cathedral picture from below

    The bourdon Emmanuel, cast in 1686, is the biggest, oldest, and most famous bell of Notre Dame. When Emmanuel sounded during the liberation of Paris in 1944, it was named a national historic landmark and is regarded by campanologists as one of Europe's best bells.

    wikipedia.org Report

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    Paulo Freitas
    Community Member
    1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Like the câmera hating Emu ? Lol ( just Google it if by some wierd reason you still don't know hos Emanuel the Emu )

    #33

    Paris Is Home To The World's Most Famous Cabaret

    Colorful windmill in Paris city

    Clubs that include burlesque and cabaret have a long history in Paris. Many are still in operation, and Paris is home to Moulin Rouge, the most well-known cabaret in the entire world. Today, you can pause for dinner and take in the world's most renowned burlesque performance. The oldest cabaret, Paradis Latin, which Napoleon Bonaparte established in 1802, is also located in Paris.

    us.france.fr Report

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    Fabian Bernard
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    There aren't so many today as stated, they tend to close because the shows objecty women, and it's totally right

    #34

    The Very First “Bloody Mary” Was Made In Paris

    Bloody Mary cocktail in a glass

    A young bartender named Fernand “Pete” Petiot invented the Bloody Mary at Harry’s New York Bar in Paris in 1921. Though there are many urban tales surrounding who invented the Bloody Mary because many people have claimed that distinction.

    silvercircledistillery.com Report

    #35

    Paris Has The Most Beautiful Avenue In The World

    Black and white picture of Avenue des Champs-Elysees avenue

    Avenue des Champs-Elysees is considered the most beautiful avenue in the world, even though this claim is unofficial. This 2-kilometer stretch of pavement between the Place de la Concorde and the Arc de Triomphe is lined with trees on either side and is home to some of the most upscale shops, nightclubs, flagship stores, and museums in the entire world.

    francethisway.com Report

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    RedPepper
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    From a parisian point of view, the Champs-Elysées are totally overrated

    #36

    Disneyland Is Paris' Second Most-Visited Attraction

    Mickey Mouses ears and a Disneyland castle in front

    Disneyland, instead of the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, or the Arc de Triomphe, receives the second-highest number of visitors in Paris after Notre Dame! Eleven million people visit the theme park each year in Paris. The most popular Disney characters, rides, events, and restaurants can be found in Disneyland Paris, which opened its doors in 1992.

    parisdigest.com Report

    #37

    Rue Des Degrés Is The Shortest Street In Paris, Just 5.75 Metres Long

    Colorful graffiti in the streets of Paris

    It is made up of a stairway ascending to the rue Beauregard just a few meters from the Porte Saint-Denis from the rue de Cléry. The shortest street in Paris, rue des Degrés, is only 5.75 meters long and 3.30 meters broad.

    William Jexpire , fr.wikipedia.org Report

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    #38

    The Arc De Triomphe Took 30 Years To Complete

    Arc De Triomphe from below

    In 1806, Napoleon ordered the famous arch to honor the Grand Armée. After 30 years, it was finally finished in 1836. If you've ever been to the Arc de Triomphe, you know it was worth the wait.

    britannica.com Report

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    #39

    Paris Has One Of The Highest Costs Of Living In The World

    Narrow street of Paris from above

    Anyone looking to relocate to Paris won't appreciate this important fact about the city. It is costly to live in Paris, particularly in the city's center. Paris consistently ranks as one of the most expensive cities in the world, among other centers like New York, Hong Kong, and Singapore. According to estimates, you require a monthly wage of 1,500 euros to meet your basic demands. A one-bedroom flat in Paris can cost between 1,000 and 3,000 euros per month, with costs for one person reaching 1,000 euros before rent.

    statista.com Report

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    Fabian Bernard
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Also, you must earn 4 times the rent amount, and having a permanent job, plus at least one person to garantee your rent

    #40

    There Are 20 Arrondissements In The City

    Paris city skyline view

    Paris is divided into 20 distinct arrondissements, or "districts," as they are commonly known.

    parisdigest.com Report

    #41

    There Are 1,665 Steps From The Base To The Top Of The Eiffel Tower

    The Eiffel tower picture from the street

    There are 1665 stairs to climb to the Eiffel Tower summit. The stairs from the second to the third story are not accessible to the general public. Therefore you wouldn't have to climb them all.

    toureiffel.paris Report

    #42

    It Costs 160 000 Euros On Average To Become A Taxi Driver In Paris

    Taxi standing near the Arc De Triomphe

    In Paris, there are two ways to get a driving license:
    From the government agency without charge. However, no one chooses to go this path because of the lengthy waiting period—more than 14 years. Given that it doesn't take as long, that would be worse than attending college to become a doctor.
    Purchase the license from a cab driver who has retired or otherwise stopped operating. This is where the incredible sum of money comes from now. There isn't a predetermined price to sell; instead, determine its worth using the current free market pricing. Additionally, the market price fluctuates between 160 and 200 thousand euros.

    france24.com Report

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    Fabian Bernard
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That policy is over. You can't sell anymore your licence if delivered after 2014. Avoid parisian taxis : not polite, will 2 times on 3 trying to scam you on the fee, will make you a Grand Tour instead of going from A to B. You're allowed to ask for your own route. If denied, just leave and pay what seems right to you. Treaten to call the Boers, the police brigade dedicated to taxis. Use a company like G7, or Uber cabs

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    #43

    The Eiffel Tower Is The Most Valuable Icon In Europe

    The Eiffel Tower and the river in one shot

    The tower is the most valuable landmark in Europe and is estimated to be worth 435 billion Euros. 

    telegraph.co.u Report

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    #44

    The City Has The Largest Wholesale Food Market In The World

    Local food market in the streets of Paris

    The world's largest food market is located in this metropolis of haute cuisine. Over two square kilometers of fresh products are available at Rungis International Market.
    Every day, 20,000 people shop at the market for items like fruit, vegetables, meat, cheese, and fish. Normally solely open to companies, the market welcomes shoppers on the second Friday of the month.

    rungisinternational.com Report

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    #45

    Paris Doesn't Have Any “Stop” Signs On Its Roads

    Stop sign in the middle of nowhere

    Paris is now a "STOP" free city, signs seem to have been replaced by traffic lights!

    sortiraparis.com Report

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    Paulo Freitas
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    France as far as i know does not have Stop signs at all lol, they do however have " Arrete " signs........ Yea i let myself out....

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