The History of Paris
The history of Paris dates back to around 259 BC, when the Gallic people Parisii founded the city north of the Seine. This first people of fishermen fell into the hands of the Romans who founded the city of Lutetia in 52 BC.
The city did not take the name of Paris until the 4th century. Clovis, king of the Franks, decided to make Paris the capital of the country in the year 508.
Paris grew in importance throughout the 11th century, thanks to the silver trade and its geographical location which crossed the route of many pilgrims and merchants.
Revolts and rebellions
At the beginning of the 12th century, students and teachers confronted the authority of the bishops and formed the corporation "universitas". Louis IX granted Robert de Sorbon the foundation of "La Sorbonne". From then on, Paris became a university city.
Paris experienced three revolts during the 14th century: the Merchants' Rebellion of 1358 (led by Etienne Marcel), the Revolt of the Maillotins of 1382 (an uprising of citizens against tax oppression) and the Cabochian Revolt of 1413 (also led by merchants). This series of uprisings was part of the Hundred Years' War.
In addition to the conflicts that caused thousands of deaths, in 1328 the French capital was the most populous city in Europe until its population was decimated by the Black Death. Following the Hundred Years' War, Paris was devastated and Joan of Arc was unable to liberate the city from the English and their allies (the Burgundians).
It was not until 1528, when King Francis I established his official residence in Paris, that the city became the largest city in the West.
In 1648, the general impoverishment of the population led the people to rise up against the king. This event marked the beginning of the "Fronde", a series of civil wars that took place in the country between 1648 and 1662. Fifteen years later, King Louis XVI decided to transfer the court to Versailles.
The decline of the monarchy
Following the period of the "Fronde", poverty spread to the four corners of the city. At the same time, the current of thought at the time corresponded to that of the Enlightenment (this movement was initiated by philosophers and writers such as Voltaire, Rousseau, Diderot or Montesquieu) whose fundamental principles were based on reason, equality and freedom. These circumstances led the French people to make the Revolution and led to the decline of the monarchy of divine right.
On July 14, 1789, the Parisians attacked the Bastille, symbol of monarchical absolutism, and it was on September 3, 1791 that the first Constitution was promulgated in the history of France. It gave the King alone the executive power and the right of veto over laws approved by the Legislative Assembly.
On 10 August 1792, after various assaults, the people took the Palais des Tuileries, and the Legislative Assembly suspended the constitutional functions of the King. The new parliament then abolished the monarchy and proclaimed the Republic.
Napoleon's Paris
Various revolts broke out in Paris, all suppressed by the army. However, on 9 November 1799, the army failed to suppress the rebellion of General Napoleon Bonaparte, who overthrew the Directory to establish a Consulate.
In the 15 years of Napoleon's Empire, Paris underwent a period of great expansion: the Place du Carrousel was enlarged, two triumphal arches were erected, the stock exchange and other markets were built.
The Napoleonic Wars ended on November 20, 1815, after the final defeat at the Battle of Waterloo and the Second Treaty of Paris in 1815.
Urban expansion
After Napoleon's defeat, France went through a difficult period leading to strong political instability, until the coup d'état of 1851 that propelled Napoleon III to power. The latter strongly encouraged urban development during his 17 years in government.
With the arrival of Napoleon III and the election of Baron Haussmann as Prefect of the city, Paris implemented great changes in terms of architectural style and urban structure: the centre was rebuilt and its walls were destroyed to make way for a larger urban area.
On 28 January 1871, Prussian (German) troops laid siege to Paris, and a few years later the Third Republic was proclaimed. With the new government in power, Paris underwent a phase of economic development that encouraged the construction of the Eiffel Tower in 1889, the city's world-famous emblem.
Contemporary times
From the 20th century onwards, many changes took place in the capital with the reconstruction of different parts of the city destroyed by the two World Wars.
During the First World War, the city withstood numerous bombings. In 1940, Nazi-occupied Paris suffered various damages. However, on August 25, 1944, Parisians succeeded in liberating the capital.
During the Algerian War, Paris was again in turmoil with violent anti-war demonstrations and numerous attacks by the OAS (Secret Army Organization).
Paris was also the scene of what was called "May 68", a series of strikes and demonstrations that took place during the months of May and June 1968. This was the major student revolt in the history of France, and most certainly of Western Europe.
One of the last notable events in the capital was the March 2006 revolt, when students took to the streets to protest against labour market reform.
In November 2015, Paris was the victim of a tragic event: the terrorist attacks in the capital and its suburbs, in Saint-Denis, where 137 people lost their lives and 415 others were injured.
