History of Paris

From the Gaulish village of the Parisii to the 21st-century city of today, the Seine riverbanks have witnessed more than 2,000 years of life and history.

History of Paris

Trace the changes and transformation of the capital through major historical dates; trace the origins of all the constructions, monuments, museums and urban planning that have shaped the face of the Paris of today. Antiquity, Middle Ages, Renaissance, Haussmann: Paris is also a summary of unique architectural styles.

The World Fairs in Paris

With 7 World Fairs, Paris is the city of cultural exhibitions.

Paris through the ages

From a Gaulish village to 21st century city: important dates in the history of Paris

The city of Antiquity

From the arrival of the Gauls to Sainte Geneviève, patron saint of Paris: the history of ancient Paris

Medieval Paris

Construction of Notre-Dame, the Louvre fortress, the Bastille fortress: Paris during the Middle Ages

From the Renaissance to the Sun King

New buildings, new architectural style: Paris is transformed during the Renaissance

The Age of Enlightenment to the Revolution

The Revolution of 1789 and the Republic change the face of Paris

From one empire to another

In the 19th century, Paris’s canals are built, electricity is more widespread: Paris enters the modern age

The time of the wars and the World Exhibitions

Commune de Paris, the first metro line, Sacré-Coeur basilica: Paris is transformed in the 19th century

At the dawn of a new millenium

The first RER line, opening of the Centre George Pompidou ... Paris steps into the 21th century

Architecture in Paris

Antiquity, Renaissance, Haussmann, art deco ... The history of Paris’s architecture and monuments

Gallo-Roman art

The first RER line, opening of the Centre George Pompidou ... Paris steps into the 20th century

Romanesque art

Some buildings remain from the Roman period such as the church of Saint-Germain-des-Prés

The explosion of Gothic

The Gothic style begins in Paris in the 12th century with Notre-Dame and Sainte-Chapelle

The time of the Renaissance

Columns, pilasters, pediments: during the Renaissance, Paris is embellished with delightful ancient features

The Classical era

Ancient Greek and Roman influences, Baroque, and then classical decoration: architecture evolves in the 17th and 18th centuries

The eclecticism of the Second Empire

In the 19th century, Baron Haussmann transforms Paris with the creation of wide avenues

Art Nouveau

Serpentine lines, arabesques, forms inspired by nature ... Art nouveau sweeps through Paris from 1900

Art Déco

Art deco develops in the 1920s and 30s with notably the Universal Exhibition of 1937

Modern times

New forms and materials: Paris has another look in the 21th century with amazing feats of architecture