Written centuries ago or newly passed, here are 30 regulations in force across the globe that range from mildly amusing to downright bizarre
Standing Room Only
It’s illegal to spontaneously dance in a bar or restaurant in Sweden. Owners must adhere to a bygone law and get a dance licence. The Swedish parliament announced its intention to repeal it in 2016, yet a restaurant owner in the province of Härjedalen was prosecuted as recently as 2020.
Lights Out
No light must be visible within five kilometers of the king’s bedroom in the Palace of Versailles in France. This 18th-century law means the Versailles football club doesn’t have floodlights. As a result, it can’t host all of its home games—including one against Toulouse in January 2022. It had to move the match to its opponent’s pitch nearly 700 kilometers away.
