In Paris, some treasures are hidden where you least expect them. And sometimes, all you have to do is look right under your feet! Right in front of Notre-Dame, a 30-centimeter brass medallion goes almost unnoticed among the visitors. Yet this symbol is shrouded in astonishing legends. Eternal love, good luck, or even the promise to return to Paris… Welcome to Paris’s Point Zero, a place as mysterious as it is steeped in history.
A kiss, a wish, and a few coins: the traditions of Point Zero
On the forecourt of Notre-Dame, this small medallion doesn’t look like a good-luck charm at first glance. And yet, several popular legends attribute extraordinary powers to it!
Forget the padlocks on the Pont des Arts! To promise each other eternal love, people have come up with something far more romantic. All it takes is a simple kiss exchanged above Point Zero. According to legend, this gesture guarantees lovers eternal love and unwavering devotion. That’s enough to make this medallion one of the most romantic spots in the capital.
The traditions don’t stop there. If you’re familiar with the bull in Milan, this ritual might ring a bell. In the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, visitors spin around three times, placing their heel on the bull’s private parts depicted on the floor, in the hope of attracting good luck. In Paris, the ritual is almost the same. All you have to do is stand on Point Zero and spin on one foot while making a wish. Some visitors like to spin on one foot, while others prefer to place coins on the medallion, just as one would at a wishing well.
There is one final tradition, perhaps the most poetic of all. Placing your foot on Point Zero is said to guarantee that you’ll return to Paris. It’s a ritual that takes on special meaning for travelers who are already dreaming of returning to the capital.
None of these traditions has any provable power, and their exact origin is unknown. But they give this unassuming spot a unique charm, somewhere between superstition and a love for Paris.
Over 250 years of history beneath the feet of Parisians
Behind these legends lies a very real story. Because Point Zero wasn’t installed to bring good luck. It officially serves as the starting point for measuring road distances between Paris and other cities in France.
Its history dates back to 1768, when the first triangular stone was installed at this spot. The site has a much less romantic past. In the Middle Ages, a gallows stood in this part of the plaza, which was then used for public trials and executions. The medallion we know today appeared in 1924. Featuring a compass rose and motifs indicating the four cardinal directions, it has become the iconic landmark of the Notre-Dame plaza.
Its story took a dramatic turn in 2019 during the cathedral fire. Following the fire, the Point Zéro was removed due to lead contamination. Too damaged to be restored, the original medallion was replaced by an exact replica crafted by artisans from the City of Paris. On July 1, 2025, the Point Zéro finally returned to its place in front of Notre-Dame after a six-year absence.
Today, you can discover this little historical symbol for yourself. And why not take the opportunity to test out the legends surrounding it? After all, a wish costs nothing—especially if it means you’ll get to come back to Paris!
Location: Point Zero of France’s Road Network, Notre-Dame Plaza, Place Jean-Paul-II, 75004