Currently reading: Seven Ages of Paris by Alistair Horne 📚
The story of Paris unfolds through seven dramatic eras that transformed a medieval stronghold into a global cultural icon.
It begins under Philippe Auguste between 1180 and 1314 as he fortifies the city, paves streets, and begins construction on landmarks like Notre Dame. From 1314 to 1643, Henri IV heals a nation torn by religious wars, introducing grand urban planning with projects like the Pont Neuf. Between 1643 and 1795, Louis XIV moves the court to Versailles, yet Paris flourishes as an intellectual center that eventually sparks the French Revolution.
Napoleon takes center stage from 1795 to 1815, shaping a grand imperial capital with monumental structures like the Arc de Triomphe. From 1815 to 1871, Baron Haussmann completely redefines the landscape by demolishing crowded medieval quarters to create the wide boulevards seen today. The city then enters a vibrant cultural era between 1871 and 1940, where the artistic flowering of La Belle Epoque meets the trials of world conflict. Finally, from 1940 to 1969, Charles de Gaulle leads the nation through liberation and post war recovery, securing the modern identity of the capital.