Coins de Paris

A vivid, illustrated tour of Paris’s hidden corners unfolds in this lovingly researched volume. Drawing on a wealth of archival material, the author—an experienced conservator of the city’s historic collections—pairs more than a hundred finely reproduced images with clear, engaging prose that brings the capital’s older streets to life.

The narrative wanders through narrow lanes, bustling markets, and the once‑noisy boulevards of the 19th century, describing how pedestrians, horse‑drawn carriages, and early omnibuses shared the same cobbles. Readers hear the clatter of carts, the chatter of vendors, and the occasional splash of rainwater in open ditches, all while sensing the subtle transformations that have reshaped the city’s fabric.

By juxtaposing past and present, the book invites listeners to imagine Paris as it once was—full of quirks, sounds, and a charm that survives beneath modern façades. It’s a gentle, scholarly stroll that feels both nostalgic and remarkably alive.