Ali Reich
BOME Paris
Project: Physical Pre-history Beyond The
Eiffel Tower: Paris: une ville d’amour. Paris: a city of love. What comes
to mind most when thinking of Paris, France is the romance, the love, and the
Eiffel Tower. But Paris was a recognizable city long before the Eiffel Tower.
In fact, the Eiffel Tower was built centuries after the land on which it stands
was first inhabited more than 2000 years ago[1].
Where Paris now stands was, in the beginning, a prime place for human
civilization due to its geographical placement as an island[2]-
Île de la Cité. Paris began as a fortified town, and after resisting invasion
for centuries, it was finally able to flourish both architecturally and
economically with the power of the monarchs. The physical state of Paris,
during each time period in its pre-modern history, reflected the economic and
political status of the nation and the monarchs residing in Paris. And, as its
power and influence grew, so did the city in becoming the city of Paris,
France, which not only affects the eye, but also speaks to the mind as it
revels in the architectural accomplishments of the monarchy. The uncultivated land that used to be Paris was fought over
for more than three centuries
before a growing population and a demand to demonstrate power shaped the
structures. There are the three sections of Paris today: The left Bank, the
right bank, and in the center, the Île de la Cité. The Île de la Cité was
inhabited before either of the banks, and settled first by the Parisii. The
Romans fought the Parisii for the land and won. This land, to become Paris, was
called Lutetia. Lutetia
was broken into to sections by the Romans, the Gallic town built on the Île de
la Cité and a new city on the left bank. This city prospered for three
centuries[3]
but following these years came a series of attacks. The right bank was left
uninhibited for many years to come because of series of invasions that would
persist for centuries. These invasions began to destabilize the Roman Empire
and the inhabitants of the left bank fled back to the Île de la Cité due to the
construction of fortifications around the city. It was during these invasions,
that the city became known as Paris. After several attacks and attempts to spread beyond the Île
de la Cité, in 987, Huges Capet made Paris a prosperous and rich town by
designating it the capital of the kingdom, and so with this designation, came
the uprising of one of the most recognizable constructions: the Louvre. As the
city prospered due to increasing trade, the fortifications were reinforced,
especially at the bridges, for Paris would remain a fortified town for seven
centuries. Part of this fortification was the Louvre. Begun in 1180, the Louvre
was built as a fortress that “not only protected the city of Paris from
invasions from the west but protected the king from his own subjects on the
east.” (http://www.focusmm.com/ museum/france/louvre/louvre_h.htm)
The Louvre was changed numerous amounts of time as it was a constant
demonstration of monarchical power. It “reflects stages of change in French
life through the centuries. Important rulers left their mark on the Louvre by
tearing down and rebuilding and gathering extraordinary works of art.”
(http://www.focusmm.com/museum/france/louvre/louvre_h.htm) Charles V
established himself in the Louvre, making it the place of power. His successors
would also greatly reconstruct sections of the fortress in order to demonstrate
their power. The Louvre eventually expanded to a huge royal city. Ultimately it
was replaced by Versailles as the monarchical power searched for greater
protection from the city attacks and possible rebellion of the citizens, and
the Louvre became the famous museum it is famous as today. The different sections of the city soon developed different
characteristics, and the new expansion of Paris was soon to feel the power of
the coming monarchs. The Île de la Cité became the religious and royal centers
of power, the right bank was more commercial and the left bank was the
intellectual and educational section of Paris.By 1328, the population had grown
to 200,00 inhabitants due to the increasing political and financial importance.[4]
As the renaissance, and all the ideas that came along with it, were brought to
Paris in the 16th century, the monarchs took control and developed
the city that would again, and permanently become capital of France under
Francis I. Architecture grew as an interest, and attempts were made to
harmonize all the facades of the Parisian houses, and again, Francis the first
began his reconstruction of the Louvre. Henry III built the Pont Nuef, With Louis XV came the enlightenment[5]
and an intense population growth, mostly from immigrations, as well as city
development and decline. There was a construction of organized neighborhoods,
for example the Ecoloe and the Militaire. Architecture came to have social
functions with the markets, sewers and theaters, forcing architects to pay more
attention to the needs of the population rather than the needs of the monarchs.
After the 1789 Revolution, Napoleon Bonaparte came to power, and again took
control of the city architecturally. He imposed his ideas of the importance of
the soldier with the continuous, identical arcade of Rue di Rivoli, and other
projects. The first census of France in 1801 recorded a population of Paris of
5,546,856 inhabitants because of the prosperous city, but also greatly because
of provincial immigration. In the early 1800’s, the increase in population led
to a great increase in poverty. “In a city where everything intended to meet
the eye is converted into graceful ornament, where the shops and coffee-houses
have the air of a fairy palaces…where the women look too delicate to belong
wholly to earth…you are shocked and disgusted at every step you take…by sights
and smells that may not be described.” Mrs. Trollope in 1835.[6]
“Yet for all it’s congestion and disorder…[Paris] was a rich and cultivated
metropolis with pleasured and satisfactions no other city in the world could
match.” (p. 37, The City as a Work of Art London-Paris-Vienna, Donald J.
Olsen) Paris, like many European cities, developed from a
small, fortified town, to the large, thriving, modern city it is in the
twentieth century. Its architecture was developed in response to growing
population and importance, and also because of the monarchical leadership of
the time periods. It was this aristocratic leadership that really propelled
Paris into the category of one of the most architecturally breathtaking cities
in the entire world. The competition of Francis I, Henry IV, Louis XIV to
demonstrate their extravagance as monarchs, lead to the creation of the immense
and gorgeous architecturally structures and gave Paris the title of one of the
most spectacular cities erected. When walking through the streets of Paris, it
is not only the sights of the structures that is striking, but simultaneously,
it is the presence of the monarchs, and the presence of their power that that changes
a city from beautiful to awe inspiring. Bibliography: 1. The
City as a Work of Art London-Paris-Vienna, Olson, Donald J. 2. www.paris-on-line.com/eng/turisme/historia.htm 3. www.discoverfrance.net/France/Paris/Paris_history.shtml 4.
http://www.ibiblio.org/wm/paris/hist/louvre-history.html 5. History
of Urban Form, A. E. G. Morris 6. Western
Civilizations, Volume II Since 1550, Spievogel, Jackson J. A Physical History of Paris
linking the left and right banks at the
tip of the Île de la Cité. At this tip, came the Place Dauphine, one of the
many constructions built by Henry IV. Each and every one of his constructions
reflected his impression of the monarchy: the triangular shape of the Place
Dauphine, the plan of Place de France, and the Place Royal with its uniform
architecture and geometric perfection. Louis XIV also imposed his power through
architecture. The construction of the Place Victoires needed to destroy
everything around it in order to just be built, and the Place Louis-le-Grand
was a great show of his power by his control over exit, entry, and his statue
in the middle