Paris/Culture

8 Cultural Landmarks in Paris

8 landmarks with verified facts and stories

Canal Saint-Martin

Quai de Jemmapes, 75010 Paris

Napoleon ordered this canal built in 1802 to bring fresh drinking water to a Paris ravaged by cholera and dysentery.

Place Georges-Pompidou, 75004 Paris

When this building opened in 1977, Parisians were genuinely horrified.

Rue des Francs-Bourgeois, 75004 Paris

The Marais means "the swamp," and that's exactly what it was until the Knights Templar drained it in the 13th century.

Place du Tertre, 18th Arr., Paris, 75018, France

Before it was a tourist magnet full of portrait artists and crêpe stands, Montmartre was the beating heart of modern art.

Place de l'Opéra, 9th Arr., Paris, 75009, France

Charles Garnier was a virtually unknown 35-year-old architect when he won the design competition for the new Paris opera house in 1861.

8 Rue de Montpensier, 1st Arr., Paris, 75001, France

This is Paris's best-kept secret hiding in plain sight, a five-minute walk from the Louvre that most tourists walk right past.

16 Rue du Repos, 20th Arr., Paris, 75020, France

This is the most visited cemetery in the world, and it has better residents than most cities.

37 Rue de la Bûcherie, 5th Arr., Paris, 75005, France

This tiny English-language bookshop across from Notre-Dame is arguably the most famous independent bookstore on the planet.

GPS-guided narration at every landmark. Tap a spot on the map, hear the story. Every fact verified.