Overview

As a strategically located seat of European power, Paris was a prized target for foreign invaders. Consequently, it became one of the most heavily fortified cities in Europe and the world. Though many of the fortifications have been destroyed, demolished, or hidden behind civil and religious architecture, they have left their imprint on the city, both physically (with an outline still visible in the city's thoroughfares) and historically. To understand the history of Paris--and indeed, of France as a whole--one must understand the history of the fortifications. This heavily illustrated history begins with the period from 300 BC to 987 AD, ranging from the Gallic period through that of the Carpetians. Part 2 looks at the Medieval era (987-1512), a growth period for the city marked by the enceinte of Philippe Auguste, the reign of Louis VIII and Louis IX, the establishment of the Louvre and the Bastille, the Hundred Years' War, and the development of gunpowder and artillery. Bastioned fortifications (1512-1874) are the focus of part 3. It was in this era that Paris modernized its defenses, Louis XIV and Louis XV reigned, the city was transformed by Baron Georges Hausmann and Napoleon III, and the Franco-Prussian War was fought. Modern fortifications (1874-1944) are detailed in part 4, ranging from the building of the second Parisian ring of polygonal forts to the end of World War II.

Full Product Details

9780786461004

Table of Contents

Reviews

"""excellent""--Newsletter of Site O Association; ""pack in an enormous amount of information copiously illustrated, encompass a diverse range of fortification aspects and will grace the shelves of any fortification enthusiast""--Casemate; ""complex history of the fortifications of Paris are well covered in this book, fully and completely illustrated throughout""--FORT--The International Journal of Fortifications and Military Architecture; ""impressive...heavily illustrated...the author is to be commended for this exquisitely researched and finely written volume""--www.deremilitari.org."

excellent --<i>Newsletter of Site O Association</i>; pack in an enormous amount of information copiously illustrated, encompass a diverse range of fortification aspects and will grace the shelves of any fortification enthusiast --<i>Casemate</i>; complex history of the fortifications of Paris are well covered in this book, fully and completely illustrated throughout --<i>FORT--The International Journal of Fortifications and Military Architecture</i>; impressive...heavily illustrated...the author is to be commended for this exquisitely researched and finely written volume --<i>www.deremilitari.org.</i>

excellent --Newsletter of Site O Association; pack in an enormous amount of information copiously illustrated, encompass a diverse range of fortification aspects and will grace the shelves of any fortification enthusiast --Casemate; complex history of the fortifications of Paris are well covered in this book, fully and completely illustrated throughout --FORT--The International Journal of Fortifications and Military Architecture; impressive...heavily illustrated...the author is to be commended for this exquisitely researched and finely written volume --www.deremilitari.org.

Author Information

Historian, writer and illustrator Jean-Denis G.G. Lepage is the author of numerous books. His interests include World War II and medieval and French history. He lives in Groningen, Netherlands.

Tab Content 6

Customer Reviews

Recent Reviews

Countries Available