Paris Point Zero in France and Why All Roads Lead to Rome!

Last Updated on 22nd November 2021 by Sophie Nadeau

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What if I told you that there’s a small slab of concrete inlaid in the parvis of Notre Dame that affects millions of people daily? Would you believe me? Probably not. But it’s true. And it’s called Paris point Zero.

Small and unassuming, it’s so well hidden that you’d be forgiven for never having noticed its existence. The throngs of tourists and locals alike on a daily basis are enough to cover this Paris point zero marker that barely measures a meter wide.

And if I’m being entirely honest, I hadn’t even heard of Paris Point Zero until I recently read about it in a fiction book about Paris- despite having visited Notre Dame on countless occasions previously! Although this medallion may be tiny, it affects the lives of millions on a daily basis- yet few even know of its existence…

And that’s because it’s kilometer zero for France. It’s supposedly meant to be the point from where everything in Paris (and, indeed, France in general) is measured. See what I mean about it affecting everyone?

All guidebooks, road signs, town distances etc. etc. etc. are supposed to be calculated from this very spot. Other countries have their own point zero, with Spain Point Zero being located in the capital city of Madrid.

So why Do All Roads Lead to Rome?

The tradition of having a center point not only stems from practicality but ancient times themselves. It’s often thought that the phrase ‘All Roads Lead to Rome‘ derives from the fact that the most well-remembered point zero from history is the ‘Millarium Aureum‘ (literally: Golden Milestone).

There was either a golden statue or marker erected in the very heart of Rome in the central forum. It was the point from which all distances of the Roman empire were calculated; hence the phrase ‘All Roads Lead to Rome‘.

So if you ever happen to be at Notre Dame, and see a group of tourists huddling around a small spot in the center of the square and wonder why they’re all pointing toward the ground, now you know why…