A Traveller's History of Paris

By Robert Cole and robert-cole

Book Overview

For many people, Paris is the epitome of the perfect city--beautiful, romantic, and imbued with vitality and culture. It is a wonderful place to visit and to live in. Packed with fact, anecdote, and insight, A Traveller's History of Paris offers a complete history of Paris and the people who have shaped its destiny, from its earliest settlement as the Roman village of Lutetia Parisiorum with a few hundred inhabitants, to 20 centuries later when Paris is a city of well over two million--nearly one-fifth of the population of France. This handy paperback is fully indexed and includes a Chronology of Major Events, as well as sections on Notre-Dame and historic churches, Modernism, parks, bridges, cemeteries, museums and galleries, the Metro, and the environs. Illustrated with line drawings and historical maps, this is an invaluable book for all visitors to read and enjoy.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1623715903
• ISBN13: 9781623715908
• Release Date: January 2026
• Publisher: Interlink Books
• Length: 320 Pages
• Weight: 0.85 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 4.8" x 7.4"

Customer Reviews

A Historical Glimpse into Paris

I first encountered this book in a college bookstore among the texts. It was required reading for a curriculum-based trip to France. I was surprised to find that though nestled among texts, this book was a refreshingly light read with insightful tidbits into Paris' grand history. Punctuated with simple sketches for illustrations, the book offers a great deal of behind-the-scenes information which enriches any trip to Paris let along anyone with a crush on the City of Light. I frequently include the book in my packing for overseas trips because it makes fun reading among travel companions as we tour the city or to discuss over a cup of café. The history in this book is simplified enough to be a pleasant read (not overwhelming or at all like stereo instructions), but in-depth enough to make you feel like an expert. It really enriches any visit to Paris to understand the city's history and this book is a great way to get an overview of what Paris has gone through over the ages.

Read this book before you go

Like most people, I didn't pay a lot of attention in world history class. If you ever slept through a lecture on the French Revolution, you should read this book. It looks dry, but is actually very witty; the author has a fine sense of irony. You can't help but snicker at the author's detail of the revolutionaries storming the Bastille, only to find just 6 people locked up... or finding out how Robespierre received a substantial award in college for excellent academic performance. A good overview of Parisian history from 53 BC to the present. The book also includes a section on the history of major monuments and museums, such as Notre Dame de Paris and the Eiffel Tower.