-
52 BCE
Julius Caesar Takes Over Paris, France
The Roman Empire under Julius Caesar seizes the city, which becomes part of the Roman territory known as Gaul. -
251
The First Churches are Built In Lutetia (AD)
Lutetia is common day Paris, it wasn't renamed to "Paris" until years later. -
856
Lutetia is Renamed to Paris (AD)
Clovis I pronounces the kingdom of Gaul and renames Lutetia, Paris. Today in modern Paris, there is a hotel named Lutetia. -
1480
Black Death (Plague) Nearly Half of Paris' Population is Killed
The plague would lead to labor shortages that were beneficial to peasants, and the eventual formation of the bourgeoisie, or mercantile class. -
Religious Conflicts Lead to 3,000 Deaths
Bloody religious conflicts between Protestants and Catholics led to the St. Bartholomew's Day massacre. Over 3000 Protestant Huguenots perish in the massacre. -
Louis XVI (who is married to Marie Antionette) Ascends to the Throne
Louis XVI ascends to the throne. Known for his political and social ineptitude and his curious fixation with locks and clocks, he is married to Marie Antoinette, the adolescent daughter of powerful Austrian empress Maria Theresa. -
Reign of Terror
The Revolutionary "reign of terror" leads to thousands of executions and general chaos, and Paris is the center of it. Religion is banned and a new calendar is established. -
General Napoleon Bonaparte stabilizes the unruly government and becomes Emperor
His emperorship puts a hiatus on France's struggle toward a Republic—this is well-symbolized by Napoleon's moving into the former royal seat of power at Versailles. -
Paris' Huge Role In Art and Literature.
Paris is one of the world's most important hotbeds of experimentation in art and literature. English-speaking writers like Ernest Hemingway, James Joyce, James Baldwin, Gertrude Stein, and Ezra Pound make Paris their home. -
Nazi Germany Invades Paris & Marches on the Champs-Elysées
A four-year occupation begins. General Charles de Gaulle flees to London and leads a resistance movement from abroad, sending messages to resistants over British radio.
