
audiobook
by J. B. de (Jacques-Benjamin) Saint-Victor
A sweeping portrait of the City of Light, this volume guides listeners from the earliest Gaulish settlements through the rise of the French monarchy, painting each era with both scholarly depth and vivid detail. It explores how Paris transformed from a modest riverside town into the political heart of a kingdom, weaving together architectural changes, bustling markets, and the daily lives of its inhabitants.
The author takes a refreshingly critical stance on long‑held historical assumptions, especially regarding the early Capetian rulers, and backs his revisions with careful references to ancient sources. Alongside grand narratives, the book pauses to describe neighborhoods like Saint‑Jacques‑de‑la‑Boucherie, outlining its streets, churches, and institutions as they stood on the eve of the Revolution.
Reissued with corrections and new material, the work balances academic rigor with an engaging storytelling style, making it an ideal listen for anyone eager to uncover the layered tapestry of Parisian history.
Language
fr
Duration
~15 hours (885K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Mireille Harmelin, Guy de Montpellier, Christine P. Travers and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by the Bibliothèque nationale de France (BnF/Gallica) at http://gallica.bnf.fr)
Release date
2017-08-26
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1772–1858
Best known for his sweeping historical portrait of Paris, this French writer and public official brought the city’s past to life with an eye for drama, politics, and everyday detail.
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