Paris is widely known as the "City of Lights."
While the sparkling illuminations of the Eiffel Tower and the city's many monuments contribute to this moniker, the nickname's origins are more historical. It stems from Paris's pioneering role in the Age of Enlightenment and its early adoption of street lighting.
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The Age of Enlightenment: During the 17th and 18th centuries, Paris was a major center for intellectual and philosophical exchange. Thinkers of the Enlightenment emphasized reason, science, and progress, and Paris became a beacon of new ideas and knowledge.
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Early Street Lighting: Long before electricity, Paris was one of the first major European cities to implement widespread street lighting. In the 17th century, Louis XIV ordered the installation of lanterns throughout the city to improve safety and reduce crime. This initiative literally illuminated the city, setting it apart from others that remained dark and dangerous at night.
Therefore, the "City of Lights" refers both to Paris's prominence as a center of learning and its early adoption of street lighting. This combination of intellectual brilliance and physical illumination solidified its place as a global icon.
