Paris History

History of Paris France is approximately 2000 years old. Earlier, it was known as Lutetia (Lutece). During Capetians reign, it was established as the nation’s capital. Paris people has been often characterized as spirited and rebellious but it became first to declare themselves an independent commune under the leadership of Etienne Marcel in 1355-58.

The major brutal violence in Paris history can be seen during the student riots of 1968. the great thing is that in spite of these brutal incidents, still it has maintained its importance, character and charm though its appearance is being transformed by structures such as the Beaubourg and by the ambitious grands projets building program carried out under the presidency of François Mitterrand. Still, there are many more to say about the history of Paris France which have been tried to mention here in capsulized version.

1. 250 B.C.  The Parisii settle in an area they called Loukteih (Celtic for "a marsh"), during the second Iron Age.
2. 250 A.D.  Christianity is introduced by St. Denis, who was later executed by the Romans at Montmartre.
3. 360  Julian the Apostate proclaimed emperor of Rome; Lutetia is renamed Paris (Civitas Parisiorum, City of the Parisians).
4. 508 Clovis, king of the Franks, converted to Christianity by Geneviève and baptized at Reims, chooses Paris as his capital. Clovis defeated the Roman governor of Gaul and founded the Merovingian Dynasty.
5. 1140  St. Denis, the first Gothic cathedral, is built just north of Paris. Gothic architecture becomes more fully developed at cathedrals of Chartres, Reims, Amiens, and Paris' Notre-Dame.
6. 1215  The University of Paris is founded, boasting scholars like Guillaume de Champeaux and Abélard; the Latin Quarter is born on the Left Bank.
7. 1517  Leonardo da Vinci arrives in Paris, carrying the Mona Lisa in his baggage.
8. 1792  The monarchy falls and the First Republic is proclaimed.
9. 1799  Napoléon enters Paris. Wishing to replicate the imperial style of ancient Rome, he orders the triumphal arches of the Carrousel and the Etoile, and the Vendôme Column.
10. 1992  Disneyland Paris, one of the most lavish theme parks in the world, opens on 5000 acres in the suburbs, incorporating elements of its Disney predecessors but with a European flair.