Paris history

Reconstructed Gallic rampart at Bibracte: stone facing crossed by horizontal timber beams, the murus gallicus technique

Paris history

Where Was Gallic Lutetia? The Wall Found Under the Hôtel-Dieu Reopens the Origins of Paris

A 20-metre Gallic rampart, burnt, found under the Hôtel-Dieu in 2026: what archaeologists uncovered, the île de la Cité versus Nanterre debate, and what it changes for the origins of Paris.

September 24, 2026

The Palais de la Cité and the Sainte-Chapelle around 1415, from the June page of the Très Riches Heures du duc de Berry

Paris history

What Was the Île de la Cité Like in the Early 15th Century?

The Île de la Cité around 1400-1431: a palace without a king, four bridges lined with houses, and the English coronation of 1431 told by two eyewitnesses.

September 4, 2026

The place de Grève around 1600 with the City Hall and half-timbered houses, Timescope 3D reconstruction

Paris history

Why Is a Strike Called a "Grève" in French?

The French word for strike comes from a Paris square, today's place de l'Hôtel-de-Ville. A sandy riverbank, day labourers, and a word that flipped meaning.

July 28, 2026

Aerial view of the 1889 World's Fair with the Eiffel Tower rising over the Seine, Timescope 3D reconstruction

Paris history

Why Was the Eiffel Tower Built?

The Eiffel Tower was built for the 1889 World's Fair, marking the centenary of the French Revolution. Competition, outrage, construction: the full story.

July 19, 2026

Boats moored on the Seine, seen under an arch of the Pont-Neuf, Timescope 3D reconstruction of old Paris

Paris history

Why Were There Houses on the Bridges of Paris?

For six centuries, Parisians lived and traded on the city's bridges. Why the houses, what did they look like, and why did they disappear?

July 7, 2026

Paris history

What Did Paris Look Like in the Middle Ages?

What did medieval Paris look like? From the Île de la Cité to Place de Grève, the city's medieval geography, and where to see its traces today.

February 19, 2026