Historical past of Paris
This text concerning the historical past of Paris describes the important thing occasions that that you must know to understand the French capital and its essential historic sights throughout your subsequent journey to Paris.
The historical past of Paris dates again to its basis by the Parisii within the third century BC. All through the centuries, Paris has witnessed numerous riots and revolutions but additionally moments to have fun, and I’ve summarized the principle occasions so that you can learn in 5 minutes or much less.
Beneath are some attention-grabbing bits concerning the historical past of Paris.
The Basis of Lutetia
We don’t know a lot concerning the historical past of Paris earlier than the Gauls. In 52 BC, this space was inhabited by the Parisii, one of many 98 Gaul peoples.
The Romans defeated the Gauls in 52 BC. The Romans settled within the present Ile de la Cité (and half of the present Latin Quarter), and so they named the town Lutetia (which is translated into French as Lutèce).
There are nonetheless Roman websites in Paris to go to, together with the Arènes de Lutèce (a Roman amphitheater), which is the oldest website in-built Paris. You may be taught extra about this era in my article about Lutetia – Roman Paris.
Paris in Medieval Occasions
In Medieval instances, the French territory was a kingdom. The primary king was Charles the Bald, who had the titles of King of the Franks and Emperor of the Romans (875–77).
The Frank Kingdom was not way more than Paris and the present area of Ile-de-France. Because of marriages, alliances, and gained or misplaced wars, France’s nation took its present form.
The primary king who known as himself “Roi de France” (King of France) was Philippe II (1165-1223) in 1190. Philippe Auguste remodeled France into probably the most affluent and highly effective nation in Europe. With Paris as his capital, he constructed the central market of Les Halles, continued the development of Notre Dame de Paris, constructed the fortress of the Louvre (which might later turn out to be the Royal Palace), and gave a constitution to the College of Paris in 1200.
If you wish to know extra about this era, right here’s my article about Paris in Medieval instances.
Different French Kings to recollect are Louis IX “Saint-Louis” (he commissioned the Sainte-Chapelle to host the saint relics), Philippe IV “Le Bel,” often known as the Iron King and the primary of the “accursed kings” (this collection of brief novels by Maurice Druon is great!), Francis I (the “Father of Letters” and Leonardo da Vinci’s patron in France), Henri IV (the primary monarch from the home of Bourbon), and Louis XIV (the “Solar King,” who constructed the Château of Versailles).
Paris Throughout the French Revolution
The monarchy in France ended with the French Revolution (at the least for some time) when the guillotine beheaded King Louis XVI and his spouse, Queen Marie-Antoinette.
This self-guided French Revolution strolling tour offers extra info and visits the principle websites associated to this key interval within the historical past of Paris and France.
Two vital occasions within the historical past of Paris occurred on a 14th of July in Paris: on 14 July 1789, there was the storming of the Bastille jail, the image of the tip of absolute monarchy, whereas on 14 July 1790, Paris celebrated the Fête de la Fédération, the image of the union of the French Nation. It isn’t clear what occasion is the origin of France’s Nationwide vacation on the 14th of July.
Napoleon in Paris
France additionally had two Emperors, Napoléon I and Napoléon III. Napoléon I topped himself Emperor in 1804 after performing a coup d’état in 1799. As Emperor of France, Napoléon carried out varied optimistic reforms, a lot of which nonetheless survive in the present day. However he additionally re-established slavery, and his army successes got here at the price of immense destruction and numerous deaths.
You’ll find the principle websites associated to him on this article about Napoleon in Paris.
Napoléon III was Napoléon’s III’s nephew. First, he was president of France from 1848 to 1852 and he grew to become Emperor of the French in 1852 till his defeat within the Battle of Sedan and capitulation (1870). Napoléon III was on the origin of the Haussmannian works, which remodeled the French capital into the Metropolis of Gentle. He additionally commissioned the Opéra Garnier.
WW1 and WW2 in Paris
Parisians entered the First World Battle (1914-1918) in August 1914. In comparison with cities in northern France, Paris emerged from the struggle comparatively unscathed, at the least when it comes to its streets and buildings. Two good locations to be taught extra about WW1 in France in Paris and close by are Les Invalides and the Musée de la Grand Guerre within the city of Meaux.
The town of Paris began mobilizing for struggle in September 1939 when Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union attacked Poland. In 1940, the Germans attacked France and shortly defeated the French military. The French authorities moved to Vichy on 10 June, and the Germans occupied the town on 14 June. Throughout WW2, Paris was a part of the German Occupation Zone and wasn’t liberated till 25 August 1944.
Take a look at my article about the principle WW2 websites in Paris.
The Fifth Republic
At the moment, France is a French Republic, and it has a President and a Prime Minister. Proper now, we’re within the fifth Republic. The primary president of the fifth Republic was Charles de Gaulle (1959-1969), and the present president is Emmanuel Macron (since 2017). He lives within the Elysée Palace, which is positioned within the eighth Arrondissement of Paris.
Additional Readings and Three Should-Go to Websites about Historical past in Paris
I’ve many articles that cowl elements of the historical past of Paris. Individuals visiting the French capital can discover bits of their historical past in Paris too.
When in Paris, don’t miss the Musée de Carnavalet (23 Rue de Sevigné in Paris 4, closed on Mondays), which is free to go to and particulars the historical past of Paris. The part concerning the French Revolution is excellent.
Within the outskirts of Paris, the Basilica of Saint-Denis is the burial place of the Kings of France, whereas the Pantheon in Paris (Place du Panthéon, Paris 5) is the Republican equal, the burial place of many illustrious French women and men.
Different nice locations to go to to be taught extra concerning the historical past of Paris are the medieval Château de Vincennes (a straightforward metro trip), Versailles, and Château de Fontainebleau, nicknamed “the true house of the Kings of France.”
Disclaimer: This submit consists of affiliate hyperlinks, which means I get a small fee if you happen to make a purchase order by means of my hyperlinks. It prices you nothing extra (actually, if something, you’ll get a pleasant low cost) however helps me to go on creating unimaginable Paris content material for you. I belief all merchandise promoted right here and would by no means advocate a product that isn’t of worth. World in Paris is a participant within the Amazon Providers LLC Associates Program. As an Amazon Affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no expense to you.
