History of Paris France can be traced back to 250 BC

France is a country that is steeped in history andby virtue of his decent, but the French barons
wherever you turn, you can see the magnificentrejected this, and hence the Hundred Years war
buildings and monuments that have beenbegan and the history of Paris in the 14th century
constructed throughout the centuries.was dictated by outbreaks of plague, political
The first signs of civilisation around the Parisviolence and uprisings.
region of France date back to around the fourthThe English captured Paris in 1420, but Henry V
millennium BC where dug out canoes have beenof England died at the Chateau de Vincennes, just
found. And even as long ago at the time of 250outside Paris city in 1422 and despite the
BC there was a fishing village along the Riverassistance of Joan of Arc, Charles VII of France
Seine in what we now know as Paris and becausetried but failed to retake the city in 1429.
of the strategic position of the area for controllingOf any Valois monarch, Francois I probably had
river shipping, it was always under a different rule.the greatest impact on Paris, transforming the
The Romans took over after the revolt of 52 BC.Louvre and establishing a glittering court including
After Attila the Hun invaded the region in 451, itpeople such as Leonardo da Vinci.
was thought that Paris was to be attacked, butKing Henri IV made Paris his place of residence
according to legend Sainte Genevieve, who is stilland he undertook a number of major public
the patron saint of Paris today, saved it.works in the city. This included construction of the
Clovis l commissioned the first cathedral and thePont Neuf, Saint-Louis Hospital, Place des Vosges
first abbey, which was dedicated to Sainteand Place Dauphine. He also made extensions to
Genevieve and he was buried in Paris on his deaththe Louvre.
in 511, alongside St Genevieve.Paris became the intellectual and cultural capital of
It became under the rule of the Franks, but thethe Western world during the latter half of the
city was neglected by the Empire and suffered18th century, as it became a centre of the
grievously from Viking raiders who repeatedlyenlightenment and new thinking, which was
sailed upriver to attack it. In 885 the city wasencouraged by the state, with King Louis's
faced with a massive Viking invasion force,mistress, Madame de Pompadour, supporting the
believed to have numbered 700 ships and 30,000city's intellectuals and prompting the king to
men!construct striking new monuments.
The Grand-nephew of Count Odo, was electedParis became the capital of an empire and a great
King of France in 987 and he again made Paris hismilitary power and in a ceremony held in the
capital and founded the Capetian dynasty, whichNotre-Dame Cathedral in May 1804, Napoleon
still exists today.crowned himself Emperor.
It is as early as the 12th century that theRussian and Austrian armies invaded France in
distinctive character of the Paris districts started1814 and on 31 March 1814, Paris fell to the
emerging and the Cathedral of Notre Dame deRussians, which was the first time in around 400
Paris was built in 1163 in the Ile de la Cite area ofyears that the city had been conquered by a
Paris, which was the centre of government andforeign power.
religious life.Paris was again retaken back by the French and
Philippe Auguste became the king in 1180, andthis city continued to grow and expand with more
under his rule there were a number of majorfamous monuments being built and just with this
building works, which were carried out in Paris. Hevery brief history focusing on Paris, the History of
built a new city wall and began the construction ofFrance is fascinating and there are numerous sites
the Palais du Louvre, as well as paving streets andthat you can still marvel at the architecture from
establishing a covered market at Les Halles.years gone by.
Edward III of England claimed the French throne