How Paris Became Paris: The Invention of the Modern City Paperback – Illustrated, April 7, 2015

I enjoy tales of fabulous characters, whether historical or imaginary, that follow them from their first appearance to their moment of highest triumph (or despair). What brought them about, what made them 'them', the turns and twists of fortune? In the book I speak of this month, one of my favorite characters is studied, her history recounted, illustrations of her growth in grace and charm, some account of the influences that made her what she is...This character was formed by a powerful man who, seeing her, visualized her as greater than she was at that moment. He had the power to direct actions, mold events, and it was through his love affair with this character that events that led her ultimate form were set in motion. His son and grandson crossed this character's path, as well, each bringing changes and molding her with their actions and personalityI met this character in person, myself, in May of 1990, during a time of upheaval in my life. I was writing a story that features her. I have to say that I was charmed by her, fascinated, even enchanted. She remained a very important character of my WIP (Volume 1 is now published). I love to read about her, to see how others perceive her. I am not reviewing a book about a queen, a courtesan, a goddess or a great heroine, but a book about a city: Paris.Paris is the first of the great 'modern' cities. Others have copied Paris. My home city, Philadelphia, has The Ben Franklin Parkway, which is a copy of the Champs-Elysees. The City Hall there is a copy of the Hotel de Ville. I am working on a project involving Paris as a sort of setting. I needed to understand the history and the development of that city. I found the book, bought it and read it. I thought it would be informative. I did not expect it to be entertaining.DeJean starts with the sentence what makes a city great? The book goes on from there.Prior to the 17th century, Rome was the most celebrated European city, famous for its past. People made pilgrimages to Rome to visit its ancient monuments and historic churches, to seek inspiration. Novelty and excitement were not on the agenda. And then, in the 17th century, a city was invented (or, I think, reinvented) to hold a visitor's attention and, itself, to provide enjoyment. This was Paris, the city as it is now, planned to be changed and enlarged, to grow into what it is now.The history is fascinatingly told. For anyone who has studied European history, the names are familiar. One king had the idea, his son and grandsons followed. Essentially, Henri IV invented city planning. The book follows the changes (wars, invasions, revolutions) and the challenges (a river runs through it). It was perhaps the most useful thing I read for research, and not nearly as gory as some, history being what it is.The construction of the book works. It is, after all, a history, so flows linearly. History involves people, and DeJean introduces the statesmen, rulers, ministers and citizens. The dreamers, the liars, the schemers... She ties the changes in culture in with the changes in the cityscape. The wide avenues that Paris is now famous for were novelties that encouraged leisurely strolling. Not going from one place to another, but strolling to see and be seen. Flirtation as a pastime, conveyances (fiacres, the original taxi cabs), modes of address... Architecture, too: the first balconies appeared in Paris, allowing residents to enjoy people-watching. And if people are strolling past your house, perhaps spiffing it up, or rebuilding it in a more magnificent form was desirable. And that fabulous piece of furniture, the boon for nappers and waiters-for-friends, made its first appearance in 1678. The park bench.The book contains lots of illustrations including maps, engravings of citizens and celebrities. DeJean comments on them and ties them in to her narrative.I bought this as a sourcebook. Rather like  The Civil War Day By Day: An Almanac, 1861-1865 (Da Capo Paperback) , or a topographical map of Georgia. Sourcebooks are useful, informative, generally interesting but not re-reads. Enjoyable ones are unusual. Joan DeJean writes in a flowing, chatty fashion. The linear structure of the book makes it into a history rather than an encyclopedia. For a sourcebook, I give it five stars....And, thanks to this book. I now have the perfect comeback line for someone who says, "Well, Paris was just a jumble of twisty, dark, dirty streets until Napoleon III and his minister, Baron Haussman, tore it all apart and rebuilt the city around 1850." "No, you're wrong. Paris as it is now was planned four hundred years ago. Go forth and read."Unfortunately, such people are rare.

In this focused history of Paris, the author posits the idea that the Paris of the 21st century that we know and love was actually formed in the 16th and 17th centuries and not during the time period of Baron Haussmann. The book is a cultural history that focuses on the architecture, fashion, and urban fabric of Paris. In a series of chapters, DeJean explores the meaning of the Pont Neuf - the oldest standing bridge in Paris, the lighting of Paris that transformed the nightlife of the city, the construction of an island in the Seine that created some of the most noteworthy architecture of the time period, the creation of boulevards and parks, the destruction of the city walls, the creation of the Post, and the rise of Fashion, capital F.If you know history, you may wonder if Paris really was the invention of a lot of these things. Fashion for instance, for those who know their history, is not something that existed only in Paris. Or that was created in fashion. So some of the chapters may stretch your ability to believe. But in terms of the chapters of architecture, the author does make a good case that we should be focusing on kings like Henri IV and Louis XIV when discussing the transformation of Paris. Baron Haussmann, supposedly, copied a lot of ideas that were already implemented in the 17th century.This is a quick and easy read at around 300 pages. And it is an insightful book. Whether the modern city was invented in Paris is another question that I'm sure authors focused on other cities will have different answers to. Still, this is an excellent history of a vital couple of centuries in the history of Paris.

I did not know quite what to expect when I ordered this book. But the blurbs made this volume sound intriguing.Before the late 1500s, Paris was, as the author notes (page 4), "that urban disaster." From 1597 to 1700, though, the city was transformed. The country's leaders called upon architects and other specialists to apply contemporary technology and knowledge to create a better city. This book focuses on some key changes over time--physical, economic, and cultural--to explain "How Paris Became Paris," a modern city.Henri IV presided over the completion of Pont Neuf (the work began under an earlier King), a radical approach to making a bridge into a public place. It rapidly became a centerpiece for citizens of the city. Henri IV became committed to making Paris a better place, a more exciting and dynamic venue. Through Louis XIV, and even beyond, French kings expended labor and funding; even wealthy financiers became major actors in supporting construction.Each chapter in this book explores a distinct element in the process of making Paris Paris. The first chapter considers the impact of the Pont Neuf. Chapter two examines the construction of Place Royale now, Place des Vosges). Chapter 3? Ile Saint-Louis. Chapter five summarizes major public works--boulevards, streets, and parks (Chapter four describes political turmoil--relevant as it slowed progress in the city's transformation). Chapter six speaks of the introduction of lighting and better transportation and the impact of these. The remaining chapters move away from infrastructure and the physical changes to more cultural aspects: culture and fashion and shopping consume chapter seven; chapter 8 delves in to the financial world; chapter nine is entitled "City of Romance." The final chapter steps back, noting the new physical developments in Paris with Baron Haussmann in the mid-1850s. Then, the author goes back to summarize and contextualize the impressive development from the late 1500s to 1700, using objets d'art.What is fascinating about this book is how a detailed case study of the various topics examined creates such a dynamic story of how Paris evolved over time. I have been to Ile Saint-Louis and had no concept that this was, in essence, a planned community, designed to develop an undeveloped area in Paris. Thus, the story in this book enriches an understanding of Paris.All in all, an excellent work.

I was very pleased with the quality of this book and the speed of its delivery.

Absolutely fabulously detailed book on 18th century Paris. I have the hard copy but the typeface is much bigger on the Kindle version. By far easier to read and enjoy. I've been waiting years to read this book...now easy peasy.

In this well researched work, Ms. Joan DeJean very convincingly defends the thesis that Paris became, in the 17th century, the first « modern » city, notably awarding a high priority to pedestrians’ enjoyment.The originality of the book lies not so much in the information provided, with which most connoisseurs of Paris would be familiar, but in the links the author draws between various phenomena. Thus, the construction of the wide Pont-Neuf with its sidewalks and later the creation of the Tuileries garden are seen as providing new urban spaces that could be shared by men and women of all social classes. In another respect, the replacement of the Paris city walls by tree-lined boulevards is connected directly to Louis XIV’s decision to commission Vauban to construct massive strongholds at all the kingdom’s boundaries. Yet in another field, the improvement and beautification of Paris are seen as fitting in with royal policy to produce luxury goods locally and the desire to showcase them adequately to locals and foreigners alike.With a common sense reminiscent of Jane Jacob’s and like her without a training in urban planning, Ms, Dejean provides insights that perhaps only a newcomer to Paris could generate and proves more perceptive in many ways than the French themselves.The book is well illustrated, with black and white plates integrated with the main text and coloured ones sadly grouped separately in the middle of the book. Though all are captioned, there are frequent direct references to them in the text, what is in keeping with 21st century fashion.Though some may critique Ms. Dejean’s partiality in favour of Paris, she has produced an exceptional analysis that is warmly recommended to all city lovers.

A dry read but visiting Paris made the book a little more interesting!

Interesting read about Paris and its early history. A must for anyone seriously interested in the "City of Lights"