Map of Paris in 1889. In the early 20th century, as the city underwent rapid expansion, the decision was made to demolish the outdated fortifications that encircled the city. / Paris, with its grand boulevards, iconic landmarks, and rich cultural heritage, captures visitors and residents alike. Yet, beneath its glamorous façade lies a lesser-known aspect of its history—the Zone. The wide boulevards that run in circles were once moats and defensive ditches surrounding the walls. Names such as Porte de Clichy or Porte Saint-Denis, now mere metro stations, recall the former gates to the Frenc ..read more

The latest Vidocq’s reincarnation in the movie The Emperor of Paris starring Vincent Cassel (2018) . In the heart of Paris lies a tale as complex as the city itself: the story of Paris Sûreté and its legendary founder, Eugène-François Vidocq, the criminal who became the first modern criminologist. An investigation bureau composed of undercover officers was established in 1812 under the name Brigade de Sûreté ((French for “safety” or “security”). Its head, Vidocq, spent the first fifteen years of his adult life either in prison or on the run. He was a poacher turned gamekeeper, a genius innov ..read more

Innovation often stems from adversity and the story of Louis Braille shines brightly in that context. His ingenious system of raised dots revolutionized the way the visually impaired interacted with the written word. As we delve into the life and legacy of this remarkable man, we uncover a testament to human ingenuity and determination ..read more

His ability to unveil the truth through humor offer a window into the soul of 19th-century France, Daumier's biting caricatures and poignant paintings, provide a timeless commentary on his era's political and social upheavals ..read more

The romanticized story of Casque d’Or has become part of Parisian folklore. As the trailer shows, the core of this 1952 French film classic is a love triangle between a gigolette and two Apaches. (If the vocabulary is confusing, you are a newcomer to this website. Gigolettes and Apaches, members of the specialized Parisian fauna ..read more

; The French name for Christmas, Noël, comes from the Latin novellum which gave us novel, new. Sol novus, new sun, was for a long time the name of December 25. Old hymns confirm this etymology: “Let us hasten to getnear the new sun…” Before becoming a Christian holiday, Sol Novus was, among the Celts, the great festival ..read more

. In the 19th century, a substance known as arsenic earned a macabre reputation. Often referred to as “the inheritance powder” or “the poison of choice,” arsenic became synonymous with danger, deceit, and death. This toxic element had a profound impact on society during the Victorian era, leaving a trail of suffering and intrigue ..read more

, With the beginning of the 20th century, corsets began to die a slow death to be replaced by a bra. History of the bra offers us the name of Phillipe de Brassière, a Frenchman living in New York, who had the presence of mind to patent this revolutionary garment that liberated women from corset ..read more

, The Belle Époque, a period of optimism, innovation, and cultural flourishing that spanned from the late 19th century to the early 20th century, left an indelible mark on French society. The evolution of printed media from text-heavy newspapers to vivid pictures marked a pivotal shift. Illustrated supplements emerged as a powerful storytelling tool that ..read more

There you are. Now you know this, go to the mirror and try to look narrow. If that is not possible, accept what Nature has given you, which is the right to be vicious. After all, it is not your fault if your head is broad! m Developed in antiquity, the idea that the ..read more