The History of Paris

Paris demolished its medieval heart to become the timeless city. How did a muddy river crossing become the image the world calls eternal, and what did it cost? Paris began as a contested river crossing, grew into a Roman town and medieval capital, and survived sieges, epidemics and revolutions. Cholera, overcrowded streets and political unrest gave Napoleon III and Haussmann the power to demolish some 20,000 buildings and rebuild the city around boulevards, sewers, parks and uniform limestone façades. The boulevards were designed for circulation, hygiene and economic growth as much as for military control—and the barricades returned during the Paris Commune less than eighteen months after Haussmann left office. From Notre-Dame and the Catacombs to the Eiffel Tower, the Métro, the 2019 fire and the Seine's return to swimming, this is the history of the city that looks ancient because it was rebuilt. Carnax tells the history of the world's great cities, one city per film. Subscribe for the next city. Was Haussmann right to demolish medieval Paris for health and light, or did the city lose more than it gained? Paris, history of Paris, Haussmann transformation, Paris Commune, Île de la Cité 0:00 Intro 2:51 Paris Becomes An Island Fortress 3:47 Paris Becomes The Royal Capital 6:32 The Medieval City Disappears 9:47 The Catacombs Beneath A Crowded City 11:34 Cholera Turns Alleys Political 13:11 Napoleon Chooses A New Paris 16:18 Sewers Beneath The New Boulevards 17:23 Paris Annexes Its Outer Towns 19:12 The Boulevard Myth Meets Reality 20:19 Siege Tests The New Paris 23:01 Paris Rebuilds Its Ruins 24:04 Occupation Threatens Paris Again 26:04 Notre-Dame Burns And Returns 27:48 Outro