What do you think?
Rate this book
A Traveller's History of Paris
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.
320 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1994
5 people are currently reading
116 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
May 6, 2010
A very amusing and interesting book about Paris, but don't try using it as a guidebook. More like supplemental reading. But I enjoyed it a lot, mostly for the following paragraph, which perfectly illustrates why I aime the French so much.
"As always, Parisians confronted change with mixed emotions. On 29 May 1913 Igor Stravinsky's Le Sacre du Printemps premiered at the Theatre de Champs-Elysees. The composer described it as a ballet suite based upon a 'solemn pagan rite: sage elders, seated in a circle, watched a young girl dance herself to death...to propitiate the god of spring.' To many critics it was a 'blasphemous attempt to destroy music as an art.'
The production, staged by impressario Serge Diaghilev with sets by Picasso and danced by Vaslav Nijinsky, turned into a riot. Part of the audience whistled, shouted and made 'audible suggestions as to how the performance should proceed' which drowned out the orchestra, while another part praised the brilliance of both music and choreography. Camille Saint-Saens left the theatre in indignation; music critic Andre Capu shouted that the 'music was a colossal fraud'; the Austrian ambassador laughed derisively; and the Princesse de Purtales left her box claiming: 'I am sixty years old, but this is the first time that anyone dared to make a fool of me!' On the other hand, one woman slapped a man who hissed, and her escort arranged a duel with him; a society lady spat in the face of a protestor; Maurice Ravel shouted 'genius' repeatedly; Roland-Manuel had his collar torn off for defending the music; Debussy pleaded with those around him to be quiet; and backstage, Stravinsky had to restrain Nijinsky from going out and physically attacking members of the audience. This was all in the finest Paris tradition."
If I ever invent a time machine, that night is first on my list of stops. When I get there I won't know whether to join the fight or start asking for everyone's autographs.
"As always, Parisians confronted change with mixed emotions. On 29 May 1913 Igor Stravinsky's Le Sacre du Printemps premiered at the Theatre de Champs-Elysees. The composer described it as a ballet suite based upon a 'solemn pagan rite: sage elders, seated in a circle, watched a young girl dance herself to death...to propitiate the god of spring.' To many critics it was a 'blasphemous attempt to destroy music as an art.'
The production, staged by impressario Serge Diaghilev with sets by Picasso and danced by Vaslav Nijinsky, turned into a riot. Part of the audience whistled, shouted and made 'audible suggestions as to how the performance should proceed' which drowned out the orchestra, while another part praised the brilliance of both music and choreography. Camille Saint-Saens left the theatre in indignation; music critic Andre Capu shouted that the 'music was a colossal fraud'; the Austrian ambassador laughed derisively; and the Princesse de Purtales left her box claiming: 'I am sixty years old, but this is the first time that anyone dared to make a fool of me!' On the other hand, one woman slapped a man who hissed, and her escort arranged a duel with him; a society lady spat in the face of a protestor; Maurice Ravel shouted 'genius' repeatedly; Roland-Manuel had his collar torn off for defending the music; Debussy pleaded with those around him to be quiet; and backstage, Stravinsky had to restrain Nijinsky from going out and physically attacking members of the audience. This was all in the finest Paris tradition."
If I ever invent a time machine, that night is first on my list of stops. When I get there I won't know whether to join the fight or start asking for everyone's autographs.
January 11, 2024
I wish I would have finished this book BEFORE my trip to Paris. Lots of good info.
Unfortunately it read too much like a textbook at times. Other times it was like it was trying to be funny. And at other times it seemed to be in British English (or something other than American-style English).
It definitely made me aware of how ignorant I am of a great deal of European history.
If you only have a limited amount of time and attention before traveling to Paris, I'd suggest other guides and planning resources, and give you the OK to skip this book.
Unfortunately it read too much like a textbook at times. Other times it was like it was trying to be funny. And at other times it seemed to be in British English (or something other than American-style English).
It definitely made me aware of how ignorant I am of a great deal of European history.
If you only have a limited amount of time and attention before traveling to Paris, I'd suggest other guides and planning resources, and give you the OK to skip this book.
January 17, 2020
A concise, chatty, anecdotal and factual history of Paris from 53 BC to just after (I read the third edition.) the year 2000. Highly recommended for a quick presentation of Parisian history. I slowed it down a bit by googling all the names I did not recognized. It also has maps and illustrations.
January 16, 2019
It was ok. Very concise history especially considering it covers a couple thousand years.
July 24, 2022
Not quite as successful as his history of France, this is nonetheless the best brief history of Paris you will find. Highly recommended if you only plan to read one book before your visit.
June 2, 2024
This is a good quick history of Paris. It's interesting for someone (like me) planning to go to Paris, who does not know the streets, the geography of Paris, but would like to. I liked it.
February 12, 2009
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.
May 10, 2009
Just enough history to help you make sense of what you'll see in every museum, every street name and, well, every grotty little corner of Pairs. Even if you abhor history, you'll take to this read as it's written in a very approachable and enjoyable way. No deep analysis or excessive amounts of detail, but really helpful in wrapping your head around a place so steeped in historical events that you'd be doing yourself a disservice if you didn't at least make a pale attempt at tuning yourself in to the overarching history of the place. Believe me; you'll enjoy any trip to Paris even more after reading this book. Nice read for the flight over, as well!
March 8, 2014
In anticipation of our upcoming trip to France, this seemed like the perfect book to read. I didn't love it as much as I wanted to, and I think maybe it's because the author doesn't seem to love Paris as much as I do. Or maybe I just want to look back on Paris's history with rose colored glasses, and he was a little more realistic. In any case, the book was ok, but focused a lot on violence and pestilence (of which there was plenty in the last 2000 years of Parisian history). I just prefer to think that this wonderful city is the product of more than that. Still, it was worth reading and I learned a lot.
October 20, 2009
Another in the Traveller's Histories Series that I've used before. Just enough detail to give the reader with an average knowledge of history going in to be able to appreciate the place he or she's visiting in it's historical context. I've read others on Tokyo and China and they both heped me understand the places we visited. I'll be in Paris next year, so I'm studying up!
Somewhat dry, as others in the series, but it's factual history, not historical fiction.
Settle into the easy chair with this book and a glass of fine French wine and concentrate. You'll thank me later on.
Somewhat dry, as others in the series, but it's factual history, not historical fiction.
Settle into the easy chair with this book and a glass of fine French wine and concentrate. You'll thank me later on.
February 19, 2011
Highly recommend you take this book with you when you go to Paris. Not necessary that you read it before you go--- it's just as easily read in useful, appropriate chunks (perhaps while waiting for the Metro or sitting on bench along the Seine...) when you're actually in Paris.
Just the right amount of detail (about a microsecond before my eyes start to glaze over, the book moves on to another topic) with broad coverage of the city's history, from the pre-Roman/Roman settlements (did you know the Notre Dame is built on the site of an even older temple to Jupiter?) to the present day.
Just the right amount of detail (about a microsecond before my eyes start to glaze over, the book moves on to another topic) with broad coverage of the city's history, from the pre-Roman/Roman settlements (did you know the Notre Dame is built on the site of an even older temple to Jupiter?) to the present day.
January 17, 2012
Because it tackles a smaller subject, this was a better traveller's guide than the History of France. He does say where you could find remnants of historical places in modern Paris. This also has an appendix of buildings, parks, etc., which is handy for touristing.
Even though short, his review of politics in the 20th century, particularly of the popularity of right wing political parties, was enlightening.
Even though short, his review of politics in the 20th century, particularly of the popularity of right wing political parties, was enlightening.
April 18, 2015
I am reading it before a trip to Paris and for someone like me, who does not have a lot of prior knowledge if French history this book works out really well. I tried Concise history of France by Roger Price first, but found it extremely boring and unsuitable for a novice. A traveller's history of Paris is quite easy to follow and there is a lot of relevant information about the city and some prominent buildings. I can recommend it.
September 16, 2012
A really interesting book, but not a travel guide. This books gives snippets of the history of Paris, it's a great book to read in combination with a travel guide. I highly recommend it if your planning a trip to the area.
January 16, 2013
Concise history of the city of Paris. The author must be English or a big Anglophile due to some of the snide remarks referring to the French and Americans. This book was recommended to me to read before traveling to France. I'm not sure that I would have finished reading if it hadn't been.
September 9, 2014
The best book about French history I have ever read.
July 30, 2016
A lot of interesting information but seemed sort of scattershot to me, not as well organized as I would have liked.
May 20, 2017
This provided a very good overview of the history of Paris. It is not a travel guide, but instead is intended to provide travelers with a foundation of the history of Paris. Even though it's marketed to travelers I think it's good for anyone wanting a brief history of Paris or a refresher. There is a whole series of these books; the English history one is good too. It's definitely an overview, not an in-depth study. For me it was a nice refresher that pointed me to topics I'd like to explore more fully.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews