This is the English translation of one of my oft-used Parisian history bibles, "Paris, Histoire et Dictionnaire". Most every personnage, street or locale of any importance in Parisian history is present within this book. Photos, maps, and chronology. Pure history, but amusing in places. The authour is the curator of the Bibliotheque Historique de la Ville de Paris, where I've done much of my research over the years.

For those of you new to French history this is an interesting read. Its well-written prose gives the reader a "light" approach to Paris' past, that is to say the history is secondary to (and applied to) the theme set by the book's title.

This book is a more "in-depth" work on Paris' history, written by someone who obviously loves the city. Although very researched and complete in its descriptions, the attention paid to detail is not always consistant throughoutht the book - it pays particular attention to the 100-years war (a plus actually because it is a period often lacking in detail in many French works), and gives an unbiased view of the role of religion in Paris' development. This would have been an almost institutional work would it not be for the rather commercial - although sometimes informative - 'box snippets' breaking up the layout. Still, this is one of the best up-to date (post 1980's archeological discoveries) French history readings the English language has to offer.

I suggest this book here because of the many hits this site gets by people looking for something about Jacques de Molay or the Templars. The order resided in Paris from 1140, and met their tragic end at the westernmost tip of its Cité island. This book is a bit more than a historic recital, as the only thing dry about it is its humour. This isn't to say that it is not a serious work; au contraire, it notated exerpts and bibliography make it worthy of even institutional use. In fact, were more textbooks written like this one, school would have been a lot more fun.

A detailed book explaining the whys and the hows that led to the tranformations Haussmann brought to Paris, and how this in turn affected urban planning in the rest of Europe. It concerns the evolution of schools of thought in urban planning from the late 18th-century practical reorganisation to mid-19th century Saint-Simonian utopia. Enlightening if one wishes to understand Paris as it is today.

Translated from a work destined for a French audience, the authour has managed to write a descriptive and unbiased essay on the life of the prefet Georges Eugene Haussmann who so changed the face of Paris.

Though with a fairly descriptive texts, this is a photo book. Based on a selection of 19th-century archival images, the authors have re-captured the same scene today in accompanying the comparitive spread with a description of changes wrought in the period between when the photos were taken. There are many of this kind published today but this is one of the better I've seen.

This is the Paris I love. Photography by Peter Turnley (known best for his Newsweek work) and forword by two of France's most reknowned photographers, Robert Doisneau and Edouard Boubat. Beautiful.

Parisian everyday scenes embellished by one of its most reknown photographers. Cover aside, this is one of the most "reussit" collections of Parisian nostalgia I have seen to date.

One of my favourite photographers, my favourite city. A must have for all Paris affectionados.

This is a rather fun book found in many Bookstores here. Also existing in the same series: New York Vertical.

Perhaps the most beautiful modern books I have seen on the Parisian Metro - very large book opens to show the more picturesque metro stations end to end. If you want a book to impress this is it.

A 700-page very large publication with over 800 photos and texts explaining (with accompanying photos) the development of Paris' architecture through the ages.

This wee booklet contains many of Paris' more memorable dining spots still running today. Every restaurant mentioned has photos and two pages of history and antecdotes on all that made the place famous. A great conversation piece should you be going to (or inviting guests to) one of the restaurants it contains.

One of the most comprehensive and exhaustively researched books on Paris' history I have ever read. Low on illustrations but high on content, this book is better destined for the already-initiated.

A collection of very informative articles on Paris' successive walls and boundries. Through their individual treatment, one gets a clear impression of the political situation and/or mindset of the era that led to the construction of each. The many illustrations and photos from all eras make understaning Paris' expansion all the more understandable.

One of the best street-by-street references about Paris available. Based on much earlier works of a similar name, Hillaret manages to filter legend and recent archeological discoveries together into a conclusive and comprehensive reference indespensable for all in-depth research on Paris.

A collection of articles covering the genesis of the Paris quarter that is its centre today. Dwells namely on everything around Paris' Grand Chatelet from the early 5th to 20th century.

This is the same book as shown above (Historical Dictionary of Paris) but in its original French version.

This book, written over a century ago, is still actual today. It concerns everything concerning Paris' underground, from its geological formation to the digging of its underground Metro railway system. Texts with engravings and photos. Yet another of my Parisian bibles.