Why is Paris called the City of Light?

Quick answer: Paris is called the City of Light, or La Ville Lumière, for two reasons. It was one of the first European cities to light its streets at night in the 1600s, and it became a leading center of ideas during the Age of Enlightenment. The nickname is far more about that light of knowledge than about any modern light display.

While Paris has many nicknames, one that stands out (and also causes a lot of questions and confusion) is “City of Light.” And why not? The city is filled with shining boulevards and bridges. While it is true that Paris is illuminated with bright lights, they are not the reason it is called the City of Light.

The origin of this nickname dates back to the mid-1600s when the Sun King Louis XIV was trying to restore faith amongst his citizens after domestic unrest. He wanted to make the city safe again. The lieutenant-general of the police force took up the task of lighting the city to catch any offenders hiding from the law.

Lanterns were introduced on every street in Paris, and citizens were asked to light their windows with oil lamps and candles. No European city had streetlamps until then, and Paris was the first to set up a structured system of streetlamp lighters, making it the first well-lit city at night.      

That first lieutenant general of police, Gabriel Nicolas de la Reynie, made street lighting central to his reforms after a wave of crime in the 1660s. By 1667 the city was installing lanterns in earnest, and within a few decades several thousand of them lit dozens of miles of Paris streets at night. It was the largest public lighting effort Europe had seen, and it is the true root of the name City of Light.

The name City of Light gained popularity in the mid-18th century when Paris became the center of the educational and scientific revolution. During the Age of Enlightenment, Paris played a key role in philosophy and politics.

Around 1828, the city also started adopting gas lamps. The first gas lamps used fuel made from distilled coal, called ‘town gas’ or ‘manufactured gas’. Paris began lighting the Champs-Élysées with these lamps. Some believe that the city received this nickname for being one of the early adopters of the gas lamp.

Is it City of Light or City of Lights?

There has been a debate about whether Paris is the City of Light or the City of Lights. In French, it was known as La Ville Lumière, literally translated to ‘The Light City’ or ‘The City of Light’. Most French people believe La Ville Lumière refers to the Age of Enlightenment and has nothing to do with actual light fixtures.

During the Age of Enlightenment, Paris was the hub of intellectual and philosophical movements. An exciting time for inventions, Paris was filled with motivated poets, engineers, and scientists and was the center stage for development.  

Although the literal translation is City of Light, it is often used interchangeably with City of Lights, giving it a whole new meaning and revolving around the theory of light bulbs. But the original name, La Ville Lumière, is believed to refer to the light of knowledge, not light bulbs.

Paris and its Nicknames

If you’ve explored the origins of Paris, you know the French capital is as famous for its style and macarons as it is for its many unique names. Paris has had a long list of nicknames since ancient times. Some are still around today, while others have been lost forever. If you love getting to know the city district by district, my Paris arrondissement guide breaks down every neighborhood.

1. The city where Paris stands today was initially called Lutèce. It was named after the Roman city of Lutetia from the 3rd century BC. 
2. Parisii was the first name that started the story of Paris. It was later changed to Parisios, and then to Paris around 887 AD.
3. Pantruche, derived from Pantin, is uncommon and old slang for Paris.
4. Paname (the French word for Panama). However, this nickname was not based on the Central American country but rather on their caps. Panama’s signature hats were extremely popular in Paris in the early 20th century.
5. The Fashion Capital (Capital de la Mode)
6. City of Love and Romance
7. City of Lights or La Ville Lumière

Frequently Asked Questions

After more than fifty trips to Paris, I still think the nickname makes the most sense late in the evening, when the lamplight catches the bridges over the Seine and the whole city seems to glow from within. It is one of those details that never gets old, no matter how many times I go back.

Whatever moniker Paris is known by, Paris still intrigues the world and continues to be in the Top Ten of a multitude of travel destination lists! So start planning a trip soon!

How about you? What is your favorite nickname for Paris? Have you heard of any others that are not listed here? Do tell!

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