Paris Then and Now: Vintage Maps
Map of Paris: Present-Day
This map of present-day Paris shows all 20 arrondissements (districts) of the city and main Paris attractions such as the Notre Dame Cathedral, Eiffel Tower, Louvre Museum and Père-Lachaise Cemetery. You can also see Paris's closest suburbs, or "banlieues" around the periphery. Parisians refer to the nearest suburbs, which are generally served by the Paris Metro, as la petite couronne (literally, "little crown").
The distant suburbs are referred to as la grande couronne or "greater crown".
Paris in 1843: Narrower Contours
Although it's difficult to see the details on this map of Paris circa 1843, it shows how Paris was once divided into only 12 districts or arrondissements, rather than 20, prior to a large annexation of surrounding towns in 1860 that resulted in the city's population skyrocketing past the 4 million mark. Present-day areas including the 12th arrondisssement, 19th arrondissement and 20th arrondissement were part of the post-1860 expansion of Paris.
Paris on the Eve of the French Revolution
This map shows Paris in its 1789 guise, on the eve of the French Revolution of the same year. You'll notice that the city was much smaller, and in many ways Paris was still very much a medieval city during this period.
This Paris map, which itself dates to the early 18th century, shows how Paris was developed and expanded between the years 1589 and 1643 under the reign of Henry II and Louis XIII. The present-day area known as the Faubourg Saint-Antoine in the eastern part of the right bank was included among the additions during this time of population growth and increased prosperity in the city of lights.
This map shows the contours of Paris during the medieval period (probably in the 12th or 13th century), when the city was restricted to a small circle of land near the Seine, and surrounded by a fortified wall. The place housing the present-day Louvre Museum was once part of the fortified wall on the western edge. Abbeys lay around the exterior near the wall, underlining the central role of the Catholic Church during the period.
Much of present-day Paris, including the area known as Montmartre to the north, were rural towns.
This map of present-day Paris shows all 20 arrondissements (districts) of the city and main Paris attractions such as the Notre Dame Cathedral, Eiffel Tower, Louvre Museum and Père-Lachaise Cemetery. You can also see Paris's closest suburbs, or "banlieues" around the periphery. Parisians refer to the nearest suburbs, which are generally served by the Paris Metro, as la petite couronne (literally, "little crown").
The distant suburbs are referred to as la grande couronne or "greater crown".
Paris in 1843: Narrower Contours
Although it's difficult to see the details on this map of Paris circa 1843, it shows how Paris was once divided into only 12 districts or arrondissements, rather than 20, prior to a large annexation of surrounding towns in 1860 that resulted in the city's population skyrocketing past the 4 million mark. Present-day areas including the 12th arrondisssement, 19th arrondissement and 20th arrondissement were part of the post-1860 expansion of Paris.
Paris on the Eve of the French Revolution
This map shows Paris in its 1789 guise, on the eve of the French Revolution of the same year. You'll notice that the city was much smaller, and in many ways Paris was still very much a medieval city during this period.
This Paris map, which itself dates to the early 18th century, shows how Paris was developed and expanded between the years 1589 and 1643 under the reign of Henry II and Louis XIII. The present-day area known as the Faubourg Saint-Antoine in the eastern part of the right bank was included among the additions during this time of population growth and increased prosperity in the city of lights.
This map shows the contours of Paris during the medieval period (probably in the 12th or 13th century), when the city was restricted to a small circle of land near the Seine, and surrounded by a fortified wall. The place housing the present-day Louvre Museum was once part of the fortified wall on the western edge. Abbeys lay around the exterior near the wall, underlining the central role of the Catholic Church during the period.
Much of present-day Paris, including the area known as Montmartre to the north, were rural towns.
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