Yet More Fake Buildings In Paris (And The Stories Behind Them)

Paris has many buildings that aren't what they seem - façades made to look like real houses and offices, but with something very different hidden behind them. Tbf you probably already know this, because I made a video about it and KZbin spammed that to several million people. Today we've got a simple quest: we're going to try and find the 5 remaining fake buildings that we didn't see last time, and discover the story behind them... and I promise you they're not all ventilation shafts.
(Filmed between Jul-Dec 2020)
Map showing all 11 fake facades: www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mi...
INSTA - / the.tim.traveller
TWIT - / thetimtraveller
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IMAGE CREDITS
Photo of Paul Bodin by Allstar Picture Library Ltd, used under licence from Alamy Stock Photo - www.alamy.com/stock-photo-pau...
Photo of l'Institut de France by Nitot - commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi...
Animated white flag by abFlags.com

[@goldeagle1824]

I LOVE that when he was talking about the server farm, the music in the background was the intro to IT Crowd!! That was an awesome easter egg!

[@1951split]

Every bit of music Tim uses is there for a purpose. The intro tune was from the TV-Series "Keeping up appearances" which is exactly what facades do... :)

[@Okurka.]

That building should have a red door.

[@SteveWhisenhant]

Maybe the facade would act real if you turn it off and on again.

[@2008tourer]

@@1951split I recognized the music but I didn't connect the title with the video 😂 amazing

[@thomasreese2816]

This whole video was a business outing

[@HalfAsleepChris]

People really like fake buildings, huh? Great video!

[@cemondercem]

i follow both of you.Keep the good job guys!

[@zrhplanespotting]

Your video about 22 and 24 Leinster Gardens is the English version :D. In enjoyed your's as well :)

[@TheTimTraveller]

I just hope they still do 🤞 Cheers Chris!

[@WilliamFe]

Don't worry, we'll enjoy fake buildings for a long time!

[@olddangfool]

Some like fake landscapes that at actually abandoned rail lines?

[@user-fp6dt1os1l]

Tim: "Globale Service Provider" L'académie française: incoherent angry muttering

[@timeflysintheshop]

I assume there is a joke there. A white flag goes up while the muttering happens.

[@juststeve5542]

@@timeflysintheshop yes, the Academy really don't like English polluting their language. Not only does "Global Service Provider" consist of English words (or English spelling of words), the grammar isn't even correct in French. The adjective "Global(e)" should go at the end, so "Service Provider Global". Bit of a strange choice for a company that sounds like they want to appeal to proud Frenchmen.

[@MrBlueBurd0451]

@@juststeve5542 Even then it's not entirely correct, no? It should be 'Provider de Service Global', no?

[@eddiejc1]

@@juststeve5542 "Global Service Provider" is perfectly correct English and they probably deliberately chose that title if they actually want to live up to their name. P.S. Actually their web site is entirely in French, although Google Translate easily converts it into English. They probably picked an English name simply because it's cool to French customers.

[@tibetanpopstars]

​@@timeflysintheshop he said "oh putain c'est fini on jette l'éponge là", which can be translated as "oh ffs it's over, let's throw in the towel"

[@JasperJanssen]

That server farm seems less like a fake facade and more like a repurposed pre-existing building.

[@TheCaptainSplatter]

And the last one too. I wouldn't really count that one fake facade either.

[@TheTimTraveller]

Fyi, if you're wondering why a lot of people weren't wearing masks (or why I wasn't wearing one in the thumbnail!) it's because I filmed most of this video back in July and August, at a time when covid infections were low and face coverings were not a legal requirement. They became obligatory in about September-October I think.

[@rolfs2165]

I'll be honest, I thought you had just reused the thumbnail of the last video.

[@dontspikemydrink9382]

oh you sly, dastard person you. Question, why does it feel like the other video on fake buildings was from 2018 or 2019? What in the /fromage/?

[@MarkWaller2]

Well done on the District Line D-stock moquette mask!

[@ClayMcDonald]

If you honestly didn't think we'd watch more videos about fake Parisian building façades then you're underestimating how board we all are whilst stuck at home. Keep up the great work, Tim!

[@IlIlIlllIIlIllI]

Is that a District Line moquette face covering I see there?

[@greentjmtl]

The proper pronunciation of that French company killed me. :D

[@farkstein1213]

i got here for fake building facades, stayed for the fancy colour coordinated facemask

[@peyuko5960]

yes

[@robnorris4770]

Insta Twit Face mask.

[@damondominique]

paris over here puttin the fake in façade

[@RoseZalica]

Two possibilities. First you literally comment under every video on youtube OR we are both have the same taste :) Awesome but kinda random taste tbh.

[@freewal]

Yeah I love both channels : Damon and Tim. Same kind of humour. French compatible humour. I don’t know how to explain.

[@VintageTran]

I’ve visited all these by the roofs and more 😁👌

[@Gonebeef]

Wow how dangerous is it?

[@TheTimTraveller]

Je m'en doutais ! Envoie-moi les liens, si tu en as pour les immeubles de cette vidéo, et j'ajoute des fiches :)

[@marmadukesymesparker]

Are you Matteo in Rooftoppers?

[@stormworks4882]

@@TheTimTraveller I thought you were just flexing your French on some random KZbinr but he's le François

[@TheTimTraveller]

haha yeah Monsieur Tran is a French KZbin legend! He's got several videos exploring INSIDE the fake buildings - I linked to one of them in the first Fake Facades vid. Well worth checking them out (even if you don't speak French)

[@AverytheCubanAmerican]

The sequel we didn't deserve

[@jjsdumbshit2792]

Help

[@philvanderlaan5942]

Most of us have already binge watching everything decent on Netflix and Amazon prime as well as half the garbage and there for watch Tim talk about anything as long as he doesn't take himself (too) seriously.

[@allanlewin2300]

01:03 Theme from "Keeping up Appearances." Very clever Tim .... :D

[@MianCowell]

THANK YOU!

[@fundi960]

I knew I recognized that melody, but couldn't place it for the life of me. Thank you.

[@davidhemingway246]

And the theme from Treasure Hunt. Sneaky.

[@Tuning3434]

yes, you just saved my night-rest!

[@joermnyc]

“Hello Mrs. Bucket.” “Bouquet.”

[@SupremeLeaderKimJong-un]

That's a nice London Underground District Line moquette mask you got there

[@PeterNancarrow]

Is there an on-line moquette where I can buy one!

[@billmische]

@@PeterNancarrow er...yeah www.ltmuseumshop.co.uk/clothing/clothing-accessories/accessories

[@westrim]

S-shame if something happened to it?

[@amodbhanushali]

Man I miss your regular-ish content lol. Makes me miss travelling in Europe so much. P.S. Your videos are A+. Sucks to be a travel KZbinr in a pandemic I suppose. Stay safe!

[@TheTimTraveller]

Ah thank you, and believe me, I miss making the regular content too! Much as I love Paris, I'm really looking forward to the day when I don't have to start every video in French... :D

[@bri77uk1]

If any channel deserves to have the algorithm spam people with its videos then this is surely it! I would have chosen a video with trains in it personally, but hey, congrats Tim!

[@utetopia1620]

The first Tim Traveller video I watched was about the VennBahn, and I was hooked! Probably remains my favourite, along with the Oil Rig Graveyard, and the Karl-Marx-Hof. I'd like to see more trains again though (of course difficult in an era of Covid)

[@fitnesswithsteve]

I come for the “Hello” and stay for the rest of the video.

[@GoranNewsum]

4:03 "Gare Magenta" Me: THAT'S BLUE!

[@svetlanakholmetskaya6282]

3:35 is that the intro music to the IT Crowd???

[@QuantumLeclerc]

Yep. I knew I recognised it.

[@mici01]

It is. And if you put "IT crowd intro piano" into the search you will find the piece: kzbin.info/www/bejne/p3fQnZmYiNR9bcU Also that piano player looks suspiciously like Tim O.O

[@drewzero1]

And the music for Keeping Up Appearances at 1:00

[@goldeagle1824]

YES!!!

[@mikosoft]

@@mici01 ah, okay, everything is explained now. Somebody already mentioned on an older video that Tim plays piano himself but I've never seen it confirmed until now.

[@ericli777]

When the "Keeping Up Appearances" theme tune came on, I laughed so hard I felt off my chair!! Bravo Tim!

[@littleoldme123]

Love the use of different music in the vids

[@niro5]

@@UnknownCharacter458 oh man, thanks! I was trying to place that tune!

[@EvDelen]

There are a whole bunch in Toronto. Suburban houses disguising electricity substations, even a subway station.

[@Canleaf08]

what?

[@SquareoftheyearFM]

“KZbin decided to spam it to half the planet...” 🤣

[@jk9554]

sometimes, the youtube algorithm decides to do the right thing :)

[@theovenengen4067]

Your title contains the word "fake" so will probably take off like a rocket.

[@thany3]

And it starts with a number, which is youtube rocket fuel just on its own.

[@ZNotFound]

And don't forget about the thumbnail.

[@Okurka.]

Five More FAKE Buildings In Paris - You Won't Believe What Happens Next!

[@donttouchthisatall]

It sadly misses the ever popular "top X smth"

[@grmpf]

It didn't, unfortunately.

[@Knifesake]

I'm going to start sending mail to all these once a month just for the thought that there will be an angry french postman trying to post mail into a ventilation shaft.

[@ZT742]

I’m always in awe at the music choices. All fit so perfectly!

[@Seluj78]

Amazing! Yesterday your old video was recommended to me again, which was a sign that you would upload today a follow-up 🎉

[@70M80]

Congrats on the viral vid, Tim! Hope this puts you in a situation where you can continue to produce content full time.

[@ChuckConnNYC]

This is quickly becoming my favorite channel....keep going Tim, et merci a vous.

[@bigbrowntau]

Tim thank you again for a wonderful video. I hope you're staying safe and healthy, and not going stir crazy with lockdown. Your videos have been a welcome moment of sunshine for many of us in this troubled year.

[@Zodd83]

I always love your videos! These were a great relief during the lockdown!

[@TheFreekickerzUK]

Your editing is wonderful!! Just as wonderful as your story telling!

[@brianmombourquette2673]

The best part of your videos is always the delightful humour. Thank you for that, and for creating a little travel escape for me and all your viewers.

[@remicardona_poly]

"IT Crowd" theme at 3:33, brilliant!

[@automotivetales]

Love the video Tim! 😃 love that you’re still able to generate content despite the crappy times! 👍

[@MrGreatplum]

Another fab video... it is testament to your excellent youtubiness that I avidly watch a video about fake buildings in a city I’ve not been to for 20 years!

[@lorcanmcnamara2985]

Another great lovely video Tim. Well done. Don't worry about uploading more content during lockdown. as a travel channel, i'm sure everyone would understand if you had to take a break for a little while and wait for things get a little better. Never the less, Thank you so much Tim. Greeting from Dublin, Ireland

[@AML2000]

I think the problem pseudo-professional KZbinrs have is that if you don't feed the algorithm by posting new content regularly, you can be kicked off their recommendation list or even demonitized. It's like Faust, if you sign a pact with Mephistopheles he has your soul for all eternity.

[@jubmelahtes]

Yay. I've been waiting for this. Found your channel thru the last one

[@Paddyooooooooo]

Loved the IT Crowd theme at the server farm bit!! 😁

[@dougable]

Your delivery and script always make me smile and laugh and feel better in the world. Thanks.

[@cakemartyr5794]

Another excellent witty video. Love the bit about the former Swindon left-back. Greetings from the west of England.

[@alanmartinezbrito]

Nice video Tim, nice to see you´r keeping bussy :)

[@RussellNelson]

2:37 Pixel art! A stork carrying a baby!

[@the_cheese]

I swear every time Tim puts out a video, I want to see a The Tim Traveller / The Tim Tracker collab video. Well, maybe in 2021. Great video, Tim!

[@_comment]

Nice "Are Friends Electric?" piano cover.

[@carola-lifeinparis]

That was fun. You just make it interesting, congrats on going viral. Also - I can so very much relate to videos started and then finished months later after the next lockdown. I filmed half an Amelie locations video in Summer. I guess I will not be wearing the same thing when I finally film the rest of the video

[@SaturnCanuck]

Thanks Tim. I love your videos and your sense of humour (see how I spelled that correctly). Anyway, I.m sure it hasn't been easy to make these videos under the current situation. Looking forward to more -- videos not bad situations.

[@stephenboerner251]

HAHAHA the IT crowd tune during the server farm one nice

[@drjonbear7517]

Great Tim, absolutely well deserved success. My only sadness is that when you inspire my holidays, you then make them more expensive 😂

[@leobster]

I walked past two of those during my 3-hours "exercise" today. I am moderately shocked. Gasp. (I'm loving your Paris "confinement" video spree, pleeease keep them coming!)

[@british33]

That was a much needed chuckle here in the states!

[@darrenwilson8042]

Entertaining and educational as always in a Tim way

[@02bigd84]

Congratulations on the success sir! Thank you for the smiles friend.

[@dontspikemydrink9382]

tim, did YOU write the wikipedia article?

[@Hoeni2000]

Do I spy the IT Crowd theme song at 3:45? Excellent choice for pointing out a server farm in a fake building! (And hi from a retired goth again working in IT. Really appreciate your videos!)

[@VanderlyndenJengold]

I remember Paul Bodin, the footballer, and for a split second marvelled at his living in Paris.

[@stevowyeth]

I randomly had the last fake video pop up in my feed. I have now watched about 30 of Tim's videos, very entertaining!

[@shepshep8654]

I love that the youtube algorithm brought me to the tim traveler. Good job robot.

[@SonnyGreenwichJr]

Haha! I didn't realise I needed another facade video either! Thanks! Salutations from astonishingly wet and chilly Ireland! ☘️☮️🤘🏽🤠👍🏽☮️☘️

[@Mouzekiller83]

good to see you back. stay safe!

[@neerithedragon298]

lovely video as always!

[@ToTheGAMES]

Hahaha the IT CROWD song behind the server farm! Love it!

[@jameswescott8912]

I think you're amazing. Thanks for the videos!

[@kellarkilerm4]

The IT crowd song?

[@jwenting]

"Flanders, danger of death". No truer words ever uttered in French :)

[@avroml]

Even more interesting than the first part! Thanks!

[@Buildbeautiful]

Loved this one of my favourite cities hope to be back in 2022 well done again Tim

[@mechanicalcowboy3242]

And here I thought I kept getting recommended the original video because I love your videos.

[@alainc5597]

i watch this one 1 minute after you publish already 24 views....nice one

[@Respectable_Username]

I'm very happy the algorithm spammed half the planet with the first fake façade video as otherwise I wouldn't have found your amazing content!

[@Trainguyrom]

The town I live in has a commercial property with a fake laundromat in it because it's actually being used as purely residential. Basically the worst kept secret, but I'm guessing nobody feels like it's worth prosecuting their cheating of zoning

[@indoora]

LOL the theme to IT Crowd.

[@Sharkfin7777]

I just re-watched the previous video last night thinking "when is Tim gonna show the rest?" Guess I got my answer

[@arizonawandering7920]

Yay another Tim video

[@LWR1]

Can you do a video on the amazing streak of the San Marino football team? XD

[@zrhplanespotting]

I really enjoyed this video :) Thank you! Btw. I like your mask ;)

[@franvitti3766]

Tim! That is a *snazzy* face mask!! Especially with that hat and scarf combo 😂

[@darthvaderjunkie]

I'm pretty sure it's a TFL seat moquette pattern mask

[@BarryAllenMagic]

At least they're trying, bless 'em. Love the 'Keeping up Appearances' intro music......how apropos!

[@DIY-valvular]

If you want to see one of the biggest fake building (if not THE BIGGEST) you can take a look to the "Palacio de Aguas Corrientes" at Avenida Córdoba 1950 here in Buenos Aires Argentina. A huge water tank built in 1894 hidden behind a luxurious palace facade that occupies an entire block! Today is a museum, but the entire iron construction of the industrial era is still there, well preserved.

[@vion3426]

thanx for the top film again !

[@_Egitor]

Not sure if this is the first time you used that intro or just the first I've heard it. I love the Boy&Bear song but this is fine work - keeping up appearances I believe? :D

[@ringwe]

I loved the "IT Crowd" cameo tune :)

[@TransportGeekery]

3:15 I think that is the most I’ve ever laughed at a KZbin video. Thank you!!! ❤️

[@samsamson391]

I've strolled past, and was stupidly happy! Ignorance is bliss. Butttttt, keep these coming, there's more. If Paris can keep their charm, everyone should.

[@unlapras9365]

I live in Paris and I'm so glad to see an english-speaking KZbinr making videos about its secrets. You even made me discover things about my own city ! Thank you so much for your work.

[@geoffreyguez]

Hi Tim ! I love your videos ! Is your generic clips from the dead sea ?

[@NithinJune]

I burst out laughing when you said « Global Service Provider »

[@LadyLexyStarwatcher]

I see you are keeping up facade appearances. Well done.

[@sinansn6499]

Great video walking in Paris city thank you for sharing ❤️👍

[@ExplorerGinge]

Loving the TfL maquette face mask too :)

[@russcorbett3923]

Awesome video !!!! Thank You !!!

[@illyasvielemiya9059]

Tim really know how to make the best of a situation

[@karmo0]

Thank you, Mr. Traveller!

[@garyteano3026]

I loved te IT Crowd piano cover hahahah!!

[@AutoReport1]

To be precise facade is a buildings "face", from Italian facciata, Piedmontese faciade, front of a building. The sense of deception appears in French, as applying a "false" front has been used for centuries to make a building appear more modern or grandiose than it is behind. Many commercial buildings in Australia and the Americas have such false fronts (even new ones), as you'll know from many westerns.

[@MrDarrylMan]

Love it 😊

[@goldslothe2443]

This has "how not to be seen"-monty python vibes. Love it :)

[@themoviedealers]

Fake buildings could be another great ongoing category for you, along with obscure railways, strange border anomalies and tiny mountains.

[@thesuit4820]

I have a cushion in the same old-district-line fabric as your mask. A sentence I never expected to say, but 2020 is odd.

[@KidGibson]

"Keeping up Appearances" theme on Accordion. The level of puns in that choice wants me to fly across the world and hit you.

[@johnfenn3188]

Bravo, mon cher!

[@MianCowell]

The most frustrating thing about Tim's videos is trying to recall what the song is playing on the wrong instrument.

[@toleranceandtruth]

This one was the theme music they used for "Keeping Up Appearances". A shame there was no fake facade of a "Chinese take away".