A Trip to Paris in July and August 1792

An English gentleman sets out for Paris in the summer of 1792, eager to see how the city has changed since the Revolution and to test whether a longer residence might be possible. He navigates the bureaucratic maze of passports—paying a modest fee in London and receiving complimentary passes from French officials—before boarding a Dover‑Calais ferry and securing a national cockade. The journey continues by carriage through the French countryside, with stops at Calais, Abbeville and Amiens, each offering a glimpse of daily life under the new Republic.

Along the way he explores the opulent Château de Chantilly, marveling at its natural‑history cabinet, a preserved whale fetus, and the well‑tended yet unremarkable gardens. By the end of July he reaches Paris, checks into the Hôtel d'Espagne on Rue du Colombier, and spends his first evening at the opera, soaking in the city's vibrant yet uneasy atmosphere. The account blends practical travel details—costs, routes, and accommodations—with vivid observations of French society on the brink of further upheaval.