All About Paris

The Amazing History of Paris, France

The Founding of Paris

Long before it became the “City of Light,” Paris began as a humble settlement founded by the Celtic Parisii around the 3rd century BC on the marshy banks of the Seine. Centuries of strife with Roman legions led to Julius Caesar’s conquest in 52 BC, embedding the fledgling city—then called Lutetia—firmly under Roman rule. By 508 AD, the Frankish king Clovis I consolidated Gaul and chose Paris as his capital, honoring the Parisii who first recognized the promise of this strategic island on the Seine river.

A sketch of Clovis, the Celtic king of France.
A sketch of Clovis, the Celtic king of France.

Over the Middle Ages, Paris flourished. Construction of Notre Dame began in the 12th century, and the Sorbonne opened in 1253. The Marais area, once marshland, was reclaimed north of the Seine, becoming what is known today as the Right Bank. Even the mighty Louvre started as a fortress along the river around 1200.

Medieval Strife & the Hundred Years War

The city endured Viking incursions and was eventually embroiled in the Hundred Years War with Norman (English) forces. In 1429, teenage warrior Joan of Arc famously rallied the French against England at Orléans, and by 1453, the English were expelled from nearly all of France.

The Renaissance & Religious Turmoil

A renaissance boom took hold from the late 1400s, sparking iconic Parisian architecture. But internal strife soon followed: tensions between Catholic and Huguenot factions peaked in 1572 with the St. Bartholomew’s Day Massacre, claiming thousands of Protestant lives.

The Age of the Sun King

In 1643, five-year-old Louis XIV ascended the throne. Known as the Sun King, he reigned until 1715, building the opulent Palace of Versailles and nearly bankrupting France with expensive wars. Generations later, Louis XVI’s excesses, along with Queen Marie Antoinette’s unpopularity, fueled the French Revolution, ignited by the Storming of the Bastille on July 14, 1789.

The history of Paris - Louis XIV plays a big role.
The history of Paris – Louis XIV plays a big role.

Post-Revolution & Napoleon’s Empire

The revolution’s idealism gave way to the Reign of Terror, after which Napoleon Bonaparte seized power in 1799 and crowned himself Emperor in 1804. Although his ambitious expansion collapsed with defeats in Russia (1812) and at Waterloo (1815), his legacy includes sweeping legal reforms and iconic monuments like the Arc de Triomphe.

The beautiful Arc de Triomphe at night
The beautiful Arc de Triomphe at night

Napoleon III & the Paris of Today

A later coup in 1851 brought Napoleon III (the nephew of Napoleon Bonaparte) to power. Working with Baron Haussmann, he redeveloped medieval Paris into the grand city we recognize today, with broad boulevards, ornate parks, and much-improved sanitation.

The Belle Époque & Beyond

The fall of Napoleon III in 1870 led to the Third Republic and ushered in the Belle Époque—a glittering period marked by Art Nouveau style, scientific progress, and cultural innovation. Landmarks like the Eiffel Tower (1889) were constructed, and Paris became a magnet for artists, writers, and free thinkers until Nazi occupation in 1940. Liberated in 1944, the city rebounded with renewed creative energy.

Modern Paris

Post–World War II, Paris continued to shape global art, fashion, and intellectual thought. The 1968 student uprisings reflected France’s drive for social change, while the 1980s saw bold, futuristic building projects like the Centre Pompidou and the Louvre’s glass pyramids. Today, the City of Light balances its deep heritage with innovative transit expansions, eco-friendly policies, and steadfast preservation efforts—an enduring testament to its rich past and dynamic spirit.

The Centre Pompidou in Paris.
The Centre Pompidou in Paris.

Want to learn more?

  • Eiffel Tower: Discover the story behind the Eiffel Tower, one of the world’s most famous landmarks.
  • Les Misérables: Victor Hugo’s beloved novel captures the turbulence and soul of 19th-century Paris.

Paris remains a global capital for art, history, and romance—an essential destination on any traveler’s list.