Paris is a city of carousels. Scattered across  town are both modern versions and antique versions that add a magical feel to the city with their twinkling lights and bright colors, especially with a background of the Eiffel Tower or Sacre Couer. 

Carousels originated as training for knights on horseback, who would ride in circles, tossing balls back and forth, and wielding swords at mock enemies. They eventually morphed into the jousting tournaments of the middle ages. The popularity of these tournaments declined in France after King Henri II’s 1559 death from jousting wounds. After this, carousels became more ceremonial, with parades of knights on horseback accompanied by demonstrations and games of skill, including riders spearing small hanging rings. The most famous carousel of this type was held in 1662 by Louis XIV to celebrate the birth of his heir. It took place in the courtyard of the Tuileries Palace. 

Today, the area is still known as the Carrousel garden and is located next to the Louvre’s pyramid. 

The modern carousel grew out of these traditions, and today there are dozens of carousels around the city. The oldest still has a feature linking it to the carrousels of the Renaissance – children riding horses on the outside are given a small jousting stick and try to spear rings held by the operator (jeu de bagues). 

Located in the Luxembourg Garden, it dates back to 1879 and was designed by Charles Garnier, the architect of the Opera de Paris. This is the original style – no lights, music, or even a floor- the horses hang from the ceiling and you can still see its original crank. 

By the late 1800’s the more familiar platform carousel developed. In addition to adding the floor, designers began adding more elaborate decorations in the form of carvings, lights and mirrors. Not far from the site of Louis XIV’s carrousel in the Tuilieries garden is one of this type showing scenes from nursery rhymes. 

The beautiful double decker carousel at the bottom of the Sacre Couer steps is Italian-made with a Venice theme. 

But not all Parisian carousels are old-fashioned. This modern version with spaceships and motorcycles is adjacent to the Metro Abbesses. 

Neither are carousels limited to Paris. We found this tiny one in the city of Rouen. It was covered tight during our February visit, so the photo is thanks to mylastbite on Instagram of this adorable c. 1900 carousel.