The name says it all : the Point Zero is the starting point in calculating distances between Paris and other cities. A small bronze medallion ornated with a wind rose symbolizes its geographical location on the ground.

The medallion as you can see it today has been here since 1924, and has served this purpose since 1768, when a triangular stone was placed in order to symbolize a common central position, which was also placed in other nearby cities (Melun, Sens, Compiègne…), as reported in 18th century archives.

The place where the medallion is sitting is nothing random and has seen its fair share of blood throughout the history of the city. From the Middle Ages on, this had been a place for public trials and executions of criminals and enemies of the state (namely Templars) until the end of the 18th century. As this place, once covered with buildings and narrow streets — whose names can still be read today on the ground here and there on the plazza just outside the Cathedral — slowly transformed into an empty space, it became more and more obvious to use it as a starting point when it came to calculate distances.

Today the medallion is barely visible, as dozens of tourists queue to enter the Cathedral, stepping on it without realizing it. It is said to bring luck if you drop a few cents on it. It is also said that whoever steps on it will return to Paris some day.

0