The History of Paris: The Shaping of a Metropolis (Paperback or Softback)

Paris is one of the world's most visited and written-about cities, yet its history is far richer and more turbulent than its glamorous reputation suggests. The History of Paris traces the city's story from its origins as a Gallic settlement on the Seine through Roman occupation, the medieval capital, the age of Louis XIV, the Revolution, Napoleon, Haussmann's radical rebuilding, two world wars, and the city's emergence as a global cultural capital. It is an engaging account of more than two thousand years of urban history.

The book examines how Paris became the center of French political, intellectual, and artistic life, and how successive upheavals - from the Black Death to the Commune to the Nazi occupation - shaped the city's character and layout. It also looks at the lives of ordinary Parisians alongside those of kings, revolutionaries, and artists, offering a broad and humanizing portrait of a city that has long seen itself as the center of the world.

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Reader review: "I visited Paris last year and reading this book afterwards made me wish I had read it first. It brings the streets and buildings to life in a way that no travel guide can." -- Sophie L.

This title is suitable for history, travel, and French studies sections and appeals to a wide range of readers. It is a strong addition to public library and bookshop collections and will interest anyone with a connection to France or European urban history.

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