10 Astonishing Creations Unveiled At Paris World Fairs

Panorama Village Global, EXPOFRANCE 2025 │
Panorama Village Global, EXPOFRANCE 2025 │ | © Sensual City Studio
Paul McQueen

In the space of 82 years, Paris hosted six Expositions Universelles, or World Fairs. Oddly, the last one took place almost as many years ago. Now, along with Osaka and Manchester, the city is pitching for the opportunity to welcome the world again in 2025. Before getting to grips with the exciting plans for EXPOFRANCE 2025, we take a look at the marvels that past fairs brought to global attention.

Products from agriculture, industry, and fine arts, 1855: The saxophone

Five million people attended Paris’ first world fair on the Champs-Élysées in 1855. London’s Great Exhibition at Crystal Palace preceded it by four years, which spurred the organizers on to create ambitious architectural works like the Palais de l’Industrie and the surviving Théâtre du Rond-Point. Inventions displayed include the Loysel percolator, capable of making 2,000 cups of coffee per hour; the lawn mower, washing machine, and Singer sewing machine; the Colt six-shooter revolver, and the Bordeaux wine classification system still used today. But we are most glad that Adolphe Sax’s saxophone had its moment in the spotlight.

speech icon man in bubble

Destinations Unlocked:

Let our travel expert Stefano help you find your perfect Culture trip

Looking for an expert's perspective?

Uncover my top 3 recommended places from each continent on the map.
speech icon man in bubble
left arrow trip map

CentralAmerica

GORGEOUS GUATEMALA

Gorgeous Guatemala

5 days . Mini
speech icon man in bubble

1. Guatemala

An express adventure for those with limited time off. Prepare yourself incredible experiences. You will hike a volcano, visit mayan temples and witness a ceremony and take in beautiful colonial Antigua.

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

CentralAmerica

BEACHY BELIZE

Beachy Belize

5 days . Mini
speech icon man in bubble

2. Belize

A quick trip not too far away for those seeking a relaxing mini break. You will have plenty of free time to relax but also some awesome activities to experience the rainforest and the caribbean sea.
left arrow previous slide

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

CentralAmerica

COLONIAL MEXICO

Colonial Mexico

5 days . Mini
speech icon man in bubble

3. Mexico

An exciting mini trip exploring the lesser known colonial towns of central Mexico. This is hte perfect trip for someone with limited time off and still wants to turn on explorer mode and do something different.
left arrow previous slide

Back to Map

left arrow trip map

SouthAmerica

ADVENTUROUS ECUADOR

Adventurous Ecuador

8 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

1. Ecuador

A remarkable 8 days adventure through the Andes and the Amazon rainforest. The best choice for adventure seekers wishing to visit the 2 most iconic areas of South America, in only 1 week and no flights.

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

SouthAmerica

ANCIENT PERU

Ancient Peru

9 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

2. Peru

An alternative itinerary to classic Peru, from Cusco to Arequipa. This itinerary is great combination of highlights Cusco and Machu Picchu with the lesser known Arequipa and Colca Canyon.
left arrow previous slide

Back to Map

left arrow trip map

Europe

SEDUCTIVE SOUTHERN ITALY

Seductive Southern Italy

10 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

1. Italy

The ultimate Italian experience from the vibrant streets of Naples to the breathtaking sceneries of the Amalfi Coast followed by Matera and down to Puglia with its golden beaches, intense flavours and fascinating destinations.

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

Europe

EDINBURGH AND THE SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS BY TRAIN

Edinburgh And The Scottish Highlands By Train

7 days . Culture
speech icon man in bubble

2. Scotland

Embark on this great adventure starting from London all the way to Scotland with a true Scottish experience made of breathtaking sceneries, whisky tasting and ..lots of fun! Ideal for train lovers and explorers.
left arrow previous slide

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

Europe

COMPLETE PORTUGAL BY TRAIN

Complete Portugal By Train

8 days . Culture
speech icon man in bubble

3. Portugal

A wonderful train journey around Portugal, from the romantic city of Porto to the Douro Valley, to the beautiful Aveiro all the way to Lisbon and Sintra. The perfect trip to train, culinary and culture lovers.
left arrow previous slide

Back to Map

left arrow trip map

Asia

SOULFUL SOUTH KOREA

Soulful South Korea

10 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

1. South Korea

Discover incredible temples, mountains and modern cities on this 10 day adventure. This trip is perfect for those seeking immersion in the cuisine, culture and natural wonders of South Korea.

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

Asia

THAILAND, CAMBODIA & VIETNAM

Thailand, Cambodia & Vietnam

11 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

2. Thailand

From Bankgok to Angkor Wat to Ho Chi Minh City and everything in between - adventure through the heart of South-East Asia. Taste the delights, see history brought to life and unwind on a Mekong River cruise.
left arrow previous slide

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

Asia

SECRETS OF SRI LANKA BY TRAIN

Secrets Of Sri Lanka By Train

10 days . Culture
speech icon man in bubble

3. Sri Lanka

A fantastic adventure that showcases Sri Lanka's fantastic landscapes, wildlife and flavours. With 3 epic rail journeys, 3 UNESCO heritage sites and time to relax, this trip has loads to offer at a great price
left arrow previous slide

Back to Map

left arrow trip map

Africa

EPIC MOROCCO

Epic Morocco

11 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

1. Morocco

An epic journey across Morocco: from Casablanca to Marrakech, through the blue city of Chefchaouen to the wonders of the desert and deep to the High Atlas Mountains - this trip has it all! Ideal for true explorers!

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

Africa

ULTIMATE EGYPT

Ultimate Egypt

9 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

2. Egypt

From Cairo to Aswan, this trip brings the land of the pharaohs to life. You'll visit the Pyramids, Valley of the Kings and Luxor Temple and cruise down the Nile in style. This is the perfect way to explore Egypt.
left arrow previous slide

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

Africa

IMMERSIVE KENYA

Immersive Kenya

8 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

3. Kenya

An immersive blend of culture and wildlife for first time travelers to Africa. Learn about Nairobi, sample local coffee in the Aberdares and finish up with a fantastic safari stay in the Masai Mara.
left arrow previous slide

Back to Map

Sketch of the Palais de l’Industrie, 1855 │

World cultures, 1867: The Louis Vuitton trunk

Treble the number of visitors made it to the second fair, at which some 42 countries were represented amongst the 50,226 exhibitors. The public’s breath was taken away by modern technologies like locomotives, cannons, and enormous construction cranes. The most influential from a literary point of view was the gigantic aquarium containing a deep-sea diver, which inspired Jules Verne to write Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea. As beloved as this novel is, it comes in second in our estimations to the original Louis Vuitton trunks which made their debut at the show and whose popularity has impressively endured.

Empty chairs at the Exposition Universelle in 1867 │

New technologies, 1878: The telephone

The World Fair of 1878 was intended to celebrate France’s return to peace and prominence after the Franco-Prussian War of 1870 to 1871. Though the number of people who attended the show only rose slightly to 16 million, this show is considered to be both the simplest and most intellectual of them all. Some of the most famous inventions of all time were unveiled. Hard to separate in this regard are Alexander Graham Bell’s telephone and Thomas Alva Edison’s megaphone and phonograph. The public was also able to ascend the head of the unfinished Statue of Liberty, gifted to the U.S. in 1886.

Plans for the Statue of Liberty, 1878 │

New technologies, 1878: Electric street lighting

Another miraculous invention of the 1878 show was the first demonstration of electric street lighting. The Yablochkov arc lamps, powered by Zénobe Gramme dynamos, had been installed along the Avenue and Place de l’Opéra and, in June, a switch was thrown and the whole area lit up to people’s amazement. However, the gas lighting which came before had already earned Paris the nickname of the City of Light. A part of the exhibition galleries was preserved and relocated from the Champ de Mars to the Bassin de la Villette. The building is now occupied by the MK2 cinema, Quai de Seine.

Le Palais de Trocadéro in 1878 │

Iron triumph, 1889: The Eiffel Tower

The 1889 World Fair marked the 100th anniversary of the storming of the Bastille and the beginning of the French Revolution. Held between May and October, it ultimately attracted a staggering 32 million visitors, many of whom came to see a reconstruction of the most famous prison in history and another now-familiar structure: the newly built Eiffel Tower. Workers had been on the job day and night to finish the tower, which remains the tallest feature of the Parisian landscape. Other important products featured at the show include Tissot watches, cigarette manufacturing machines, and the gramophone.

The Eiffel Tower entrance to the Exposition Universelle in 1900 │

The century, 1900: The Paris métro

The Exposition Universelle of 1900 was ten times the size of the original event held in 1855. The show ground amounted to 120 hectares and 83,000 exhibitors were involved, including 40,000 from overseas. In six months, 102 million passengers used Paris train stations, including those of the newly inaugurated underground metro system. The system was expanded over the following years and only a very small number of its original metro entrances exist today. Remarkably, 51 million people came to see the fair. At the time, France had only a population of 41 million!

Palais Machines in 1900 │

The century, 1900: Talking films

One of the most spectacular performances of the 1900 show was the Electricity Fairy on the Palais de l’Électricité, who held a beacon that ran on a whopping 50,000 volts. The first proper films – brief excerpts of opera and ballet performances – were also shown to the public, incorporating projections of both image and recorded sound. Other optical wonders included a massive kaleidoscope and the siderostat, a 60-meter-long instrument that made the moon appear to be only 36 miles away. The Grand and Petit Palais, the Pont Alexandre III, the Musée d’Orsay, and Gare de Lyon are all surviving fair structures.

Le Palais de l’Électricité and the Château d’Eau │

The century, 1900: Art Nouveau

The dominant artistic style at the 1900 World Fair was, overwhelmingly, Art Nouveau. The movement had begun in the 1880s and become fashionable in Europe and the United States during the 1890s. By the turn of the century, the natural lines and motifs of the style were visible in painting, sculpture, and, most notably, architecture. Other taste-making contributions included the Michelin restaurant guide and the now globally famous matryoshka doll, or Russian nesting doll. Remarkably, Russia’s sparkling wine also outdid all French entries to win the internationally coveted Grand Prix de Champagne.

Palais des Nations along the Seine in 1900 │

Arts and technology in modern life, 1937: Guernica

World War I and the Great Depression had hindered France’s ability to stage international events, and World War II and subsequent technological advancements would soon put paid to them for the best part of a century, but Paris’ final World Fair of 1937 still attracted over 30 million people. The Musée de l’Homme and Palais de Tokyo were both created for the exhibition. The Spanish pavilion – put together despite the nation’s ongoing civil war – contained the fair’s most valuable creation: Pablo Picasso’s Guernica, a brutal depiction of the horrors of war and a cultural touchstone in times of looming conflict.

Pablo Picasso’s Guernica at the Exposition Universelle in 1937 │

2025: Who knows?

The 2025 World Expo will be organized around a central Global Village – the heart of Grand Paris – serviced by a new train station and covering an area of between 200,000 and 300,000 square meters. Twelve French cities, including Lille, Strasbourg, and Marseille will be directly linked to the village, and it’s expected that the event will attract 40 to 60 million visitors, create 200,000 new jobs, and bring 25 billion euros into the region. As for inventions, we will just have to wait and see what the brilliant minds in every nation can come up with between now and then.

Le Globe de l’Expo universelle – Vue intérieure 1 │
culture trip left arrow
 culture trip brand logo

Volcanic Iceland Epic Trip

meet our Local Insider

Hanna

women sitting on iceberg

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A GUIDE?

2 years.

WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?

It's the personal contact, the personal experiences. I love meeting people from all over the world... I really like getting to know everyone and feeling like I'm traveling with a group of friends.

WHAT DESTINATION IS ON YOUR TRAVEL BUCKET-LIST?

I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!

culture trip logo letter c
group posing for picture on iceberg
group posing for picture on iceberg

Every CULTURE TRIP Small-group adventure is led by a Local Insider just like Hanna.

map of volcanic iceland trip destination points
culture trip brand logo
culture trip right arrow
landscape with balloons floating in the air

KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?

Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.

X

Holiday Sale Offers on Our Trips

Incredible Savings

Edit article