The Story of Paris

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

26450

Title

The Story of Paris

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

Thomas Okey's "The Story of Paris" serves as a comprehensive historical and artistic guide to the French capital. Blending narrative history with a "cicerone" approach, the book leads readers through Paris's evolution from Gallo-Roman times to the modern era, highlighting key monuments, artistic movements, and the city's enduring spirit amidst constant change.

Summary up to 500 words

Thomas Okey's *The Story of Paris* offers a comprehensive chronicle of the French capital, blending historical narrative with a practical guide to its landmarks. Divided into two distinct parts, the work first traces the city's evolution from its Roman origins as Lutetia through the barbarian invasions and the Merovingian and Capetian dynasties. It details pivotal eras including the Norman sieges, the rise of feudalism, and the reigns of monarchs such as Philip Augustus and St. Louis. The narrative continues through the Renaissance under Francis I, the turbulent Wars of Religion, the French Revolution, and the Napoleonic period, emphasizing Paris's role as a center of intellectual culture and its tragic loss of historic structures to demolition and engineering projects. The second part functions as a cicerone's guide, exploring specific districts such as the Cité, the Quartier Latin, and the Louvre. Okey details the architecture of Notre Dame and Sainte Chapelle while examining lesser-known sites like the Hôtel de Ville and the Bastille. The author acknowledges the difficulty of capturing a city where change is constant, noting that many structures mentioned in the 1906 edition had already been destroyed by 1911. Relying on extensive authorities ranging from Michelet to contemporary periodicals, the book provides a rich tapestry of history and art. Okey's preface reveals a deep affection for the city, quoting Montaigne's favorable view of Paris despite its flaws. The text serves both as a historical record and a practical tool for the inexperienced visitor, though it laments the destruction of Old Paris, including the Hôtel des Mousquetaires and the Tower of Dagobert, which fell under the 'housebreakers' picks' shortly after publication. Ultimately, the work stands as a testament to the city's enduring beauty and its complex, ever-changing identity.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/26450.epub.noimages

Local file path

data/epubs/pg26450.epub

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Downloaded at

2026-07-04 12:51 UTC

Categories

• History
• Travel