Paris history

Paris is one of the most beautiful and interesting cities in the world. Part of the fascination Paris exerts on visitors comes from its 2000 year history. Unlike other European and French cities, Paris has been preserved from destructions, specially during the two 20th century world wars. It is therefore useful to get some historical background to understand Paris as she stands today. Please find below a short summary of Paris long history.

Roman Lutecia

Lutecia, as Paris was called in these times, became Roman in 52 BC (before Christ). Roman Lutecia was a prosperous town of about 8 000 inhabitants until 280 when Lutecia was first destroyed by Barbarians.

The only remarkable remains of the Roman times are the thermes in the splendid museum of middleages. 

Middle Ages Paris

With 200 000 inhabitants in 1328, Paris, the capital of France, was then the most populous city of Europe.

The Kings had built their main castle on Ile de la Cite (the Conciergerie today) and the first Louvre Palace.

The faithfull Kings and Parisians had also built Notre-Dame and Sainte Chapelle. The Sorbonne was established as a prominent university in Europe.

XVIIth century Paris

Paris counted 400 000 inhabitants. Under Kind Louis XIV, Paris extended its reach to new areas such as Le Marais and Invalides.

Louis XIV built the splendid Palace of Versailles near Paris as the testimony of his glory and power.

Paris then became the prominent European city for luxury, fashion, fine food and wine. She still is today.

Paris, 1789

Paris counted 650 000 inhabitants. The French revolution really started on July 14th with the taking of the La Bastille near Place des Vosges.

It lead to the fall of the monarchy in 1792, new liberties for the French people, but also tragedies such as wars, mass executions and the beheading of King Louis XVI on Place de la Concorde.

Haussman Paris

In 1866, Paris counted 1 600 000 inhabitants. The rapid rise of activity and population in Paris led Haussman to undertake massive town planning between 1852 and 1870.

Paris train stations, most Paris boulevards, the Bois de Boulogne and Bois de Vincennes, the Garnier Opera, the completion of the Louvre Museum are part of his great testimony, visible everywhere today.

Paris metro

At the end of the 19th century, Paris grew feverly. The Eiffel tower was built for the 1889 world exhibition. In 1900, the first metro line was opened. Most of Paris metro was finished before world war 1.

The Sacre Coeur basilica was built between 1876 and 1914. Look at the dates on buildings in Paris. Many of them were built between 1890 and 1914.

1900 world exhibition

The 1900 world exhibition left great legacies to Paris, a city which then counted 2 600 000 inhabitants: the Grand Palais and Petit Palais close to Champs Elysees, the Alexandre III bridge, the Orsay station.

Look on the right. The Alexandre III bridge is crossed by elegant Parisians during the 1900 world exhibition.

Paris, 2010

Paris has further extended itself. Paris metropolitan area now counts around 12 million inhabitants.

The Centre Pompidou, La Defense business district, Charles de Gaulle airport, the Stade de France and Quai Branly museum are major contemporary additions to the beauty of Paris.

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