For thousands of years Paris has been inhabited, in some form or another. It has long-been a place where humans gathered together, lived and loved, fought and died then began all over again.
Evidence of human habitation dates back to the Mesolithic period around 8000BC with skeletal remains of hunter-gatherer humans being found, and dated, in 2008. It wasn't until the Parisii (Celtic Iron Age people) settled on the banks of the Seine around 250-220BC that a settlement began to form with buildings, bridges and even minted coins...Paris had arrived.
The history of Paris is long and often troubled with many twists and turns, joy, misery, triumphs and dark moments, even to this day; The 2015 Paris terrorist attacks come to mind, although this is only one event in a tumultuous past the city has endured.
Faith and I love Paris and have visited several times. We've walked its famous streets, strolled through its arrondissement's soaking up the mood or energy one finds there. We've visited its famous places: Buildings, parks and the Seine and we've immersed ourselves within the culture and joie de vivre Paris exudes. Yes, it has changed a little since the first time we went there, but we still love it and will return again.
This brings me to book three of lockdown.
Seven ages of Paris (Alistair Horne)
Historian, Alistair Horne, brings Paris to life across the pages of this book. He showcases the City of Light through his words and no matter if the reader has been there or not, they are left with vibrant images and vivid emotions through his written word. This is how I find it anyway.
It's not just and account of historical events; Horne, weaves a story around the city's culture and characters, dissects its disasters and celebrates in its triumphs, of which there were many. The reader is taken on a journey and as each page turns it feels like one has entered a new cobbled street, magnificent palace, or glorious parkland in the city itself.
From Napoleon's rise and fall to the Nazi occupation and the Liberation the author covers it all. De Gaulle's post-war period, Henry IV, Louis XIV, the French Revolution, Philippe August and more.
Alistair Horne brings them all to life in a way the reader can understand, and picture...It's a literary portrait of Paris.
I'm only about a third of the way into the book which I picked up from a friend late last year. I'm engrossed in a story about a city I love, written by a man who quite clearly also loves it.
My wife and I have many memories of Paris created over the times we have been there: Biking riding and a picnic in the grounds at Versailles, the same in Paris itself, the louvre, Notre Dame, walking or boating along the Seine, the amazing architecture, gardens, restaurants, cafés, the Eiffel Tower and more...They call it the City of Light, but The Endless City could be just as fitting as it seems there is no end to its appeal and wonders.
Reading this book has brought so many of those memories to life again and it has been very enjoyable so far. I recommend this book to anyone interesting in Paris, France and history. It's an easy read, more like looking at a picture really. Lockdown book three is a winner so far.
Have you been to Paris? Do you want to? Tell me about it in the comments, or if you have no interest in Paris then where? What city captures your imagination and emotion?
Design and create your ideal life, don't live it by default - Tomorrow isn't promised.
Be well