Paris Explained

How did history shape the city of Paris? Explore with me its iconic streets and landmarks, and understand its unique architectural styles and the brilliance of its urban design.

Subtitles available in several languages.

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Ancient Roman Paris: 00:00
Medieval Paris: 2:20
Renaissance Paris: 3:50
Pont Neuf and Place Dauphine: 5:16
Place des Vosges: 7:40
Place des Victoires: 9:43
Place Vendôme: 10:24
Paris and Ancient Rome: 12:14
Louvre: 13:12
Avenue des Champs Élysées: 14:36
Place de la Concorde: 16:18
Arc de Triomphe: 18:07
Napoleon III and Haussmann: 18:36
The Urban Achievement of Paris: 21:36

[ManuelBravo]

What’s your favorite building in Paris?

[angelogarcia]

These videos are awesome.

I was stationed in Germany and got to visit Paris a few times. Everyone always jokes about how proud Parisians are. Having scene and experienced the city, I completely understand. They have every right to be proud.

[tommoncrieff]

This is a very good summary of the major stages in the development of the Paris we know today. When Baron Haussmann tore down half of medieval Paris and replaced it with stone fronted classical buildings in a uniform society, much of Paris hated it, it was too modern for them. Now we regard his layouts as the finest and most beautiful planned city in the world.

[climberly]

I loved that amphitheater when I lived in Paris. I used to take my lunch there all the time. It's surprisingly peaceful, aside from the occasional ball being kicked into your head.

[damiengalandpottier]

I hope you could visit Paris during the Olympics. The city was magical : the mix between these beautiful monuments and the modernity was just amazing. Thank you for your instructive content.

[surfsenegal]

I'm from Paris and I absolutely loved this video. Thank you for teaching me many new things!

[michelmorin]

I thought I knew Paris as I visited the city many times. But I've leaned things I didn't know from your video. Thank you. And my favourite building in Paris Is Opera Garnier. Mercy pour ton content tres enrichissant,

[NashSousPillave]

It would have been nice, with all the parallels between Rome and Paris, to remember that the cities are only twinned because : "Only Paris is worthy of Rome; only Rome is worthy of Paris 🗿" 🇫🇷 France 🤝 Italy 🇮🇹

[Acres]

I don't know if you have been living in France but your French accent/prononciation is very good for a foreigner, thanks for the video

[DavidS]

Thank you Manuel. This video was so interesting and really explained the "why" Paris is as it is today. With much appreciation.

[victorleloup]

From a young Parisian, thank you very much. You made a great work at explaining the core-steps of the project of monarchs of France to build a new Rome. Your pictures are beautiful and captures the classique elegance of Paris. You put the city and the broads and greats ideas first. Well done. I tip for that kind of content to be shared on YT. 👌👏🙌 Please do more and consider doing comparison to capture how to rivals cities has face chalenges and times and what are their great symbols, mythologies, etc... And lookup on typical apartment or house of a city and its evolution idk it could be interesting.

[richmck]

Thank you very much for your excellent documentary of a city I fell in love with in 1982 when on a hot 14th July I arrived from London with my then girlfriend to discover a closed city due tot he Bastille celebrations but a wonderful parade of military might and adorned city.

There was no massive tourism then so we were able to enjoy Parisis (!)
That’s when my love affair with the city of light began.
I could never get enough of Paris, so I have been back more than 20 times to indulge in its history and French culture.
Sadly, it has become so expensive to visit that this year due to the Olympic Games I will have to wait until another year to once again walk along the riverbanks of the Seine, and appreciate the Latin quarter once more.

For me, the Louvre and the D’Orsey are the epitome of French treasures. Along with the gardens in Paris.
I would like to see a documentary of the waterways of Paris ( The Seine and St. Martin canal ).
Merci.

[kamilasajdlova]

Thank you so much for this video! 🙏🏻 I just got back from Paris, where I fell in love with the gorgeous limestone buildings. I live in Prague, which is also very beautiful, but our houses are much more colourful. I find the unified design of limestone buildings very timeless, calming, almost tranquil. And they age very well. I really enjoyed your video, thank you. 😌

[alegzandeeer]

Your passion and genuine interest make these videos even more enjoyable brother. Keep going!

[antoinefronte]

I'm from Paris and i really appreciate this video. Thank you !

[jeff__w]

17:42 I knew about the Obelisk of Luxor in the Place de la Concorde but not about the diagram in bronze at the obelisk’s base depicting the machinery and mechanics involved in moving the obelisk. Very cool! And, contrary to what might be assumed, the obelisk is _not_ the fruit of imperial conquest and theft but, rather, the gift of Muhammad Ali Pasha, ruler of Ottoman Egypt. (He actually gave France _two_ obelisks but the second was never moved because transporting the first one was difficult enough.)

And, in fact, the obelisk acts as the world’s sundial. Hour lines are marked out in bands and bronze nails surrounding the obelisk.

[Maxkg]

This video was amazing, I really appreciate the time and effort you put into this video - I would love to watch a part two of this theme, maybe where you explain the arrondissements?

[karinasaduyeva]

I visited Paris this March and regret so much that I had a chance to observe this video just now. Would like to visit this magnificent city again with all the knowledge I have now thanks to you, Manuel!

[blackeyedlily]

What a wonderful video! You did an excellent job in giving a comprehensive perspective of how Paris was developed. I would love to see a video that explains what the different districts of Paris are.

[ursa]

Omg THANK YOU so much for making this video! A gold mine of inspiration and stories!! And not a single commercial product shill! It is actually still possible to find amazing content on YT. Instant subscription and I will upvote ALL your videos that have THIS amazing level of quality! ❤