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.
Mira el vídeo en español: • París explicado
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Watch my video explaining Rome: • Rome Explained
Watch my video explaining Venice: • Venice Explained
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?

[@DavidS5118]

Not on many lists but I love the Musée Carnavalet building. It houses the Museum of Paris so apropos to this video.

[@CG_Hali]

Le Louvres et l'Opéra Garnier!

[@carteirle]

les invalides ❤

[@leducateur6139]

L’Opera Garnier évidement !

[@bolanos3]

Saint Chapelle

[@angelogarcia2189]

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.

[@lr7694_]

Thanks a lot ! Paris is not only for Parisians, be proud too of being able to see the beauty and charm of this city, it belongs to you too

[@tommoncrieff1154]

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.

[@vaevictis3612]

He tore down much less than half though. He mostly tore long avenues without any regard of the neighborhoods involved. However much of pre-Haussmann Paris still remains, on both banks of Seine: Le Marais, Quartier latin, Quartier Saint-Germain-des-Prés, Île Saint-Louis, etc. These areas might have some avenues cutting through them, but they still look pretty much the same as before Haussmann. Almost no medieval timber buildings remained in Paris by 1750s (in contrast to Rouen or Troyes that still have lots of them). Typical Paris buildings look like those on the right at 6:10, and were built in 1750-1850 (so before Haussmann). People regard his layouts as "the finest and most beautiful" because they usually compare it with much worse modernist planning of the 1950s+. Their only real saving grace is that they were built when the architectural aesthetics was still sensible - so the buildings remain at human scale and are good to live and exist around. They are also saved by the fact that most of the old city still remains behind them, fueling them with life of the people that live there.

[@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.

[@fortissimolaud]

It smells like pee

[@climberly]

@@fortissimolaud mmmmm, sometimes.

[@andylee7862]

😂

[@katesleuth1156]

@@fortissimolaudProbably b/c there aren’t many public toilets in Paris.

[@Jollywonnochka]

@@katesleuth1156and those that exist are freaking closed all the time or you need to stay in the queue for 10+ minutes, horrible experience:))

[@DavidS5118]

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

[@mariettamollolucic4512]

Muchas gracias Manuel, estuve en París a principios de abril y me encantó la ciudad. Ahora disfrutaré de tu video hasta que pueda volver.

[@ethanol1586]

Only channel where I look forward to seeing a new video! Love this channel! ❤

[@santiagoalvarado578]

Vengaaaaa, voy a ir a paris para estos juegos olimpicos y no sabes como me va a ayudar este video, eres un crack

[@Xandr017]

This kind of videos are amazing, I hope you keep making more! I would really love to see Istanbul explained like this

[@frankstrawnation]

Constatinople, you mean.

[@danielreitermusic]

Byzantium, you mean.

[@mountainous_port]

Hagia Sophia

[@surfsenegal]

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

[@michelmorin5467]

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,

[@Petitmoi74]

"contenu", content means happy/pleased ;)

[@karinasaduyeva5460]

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!

[@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 🇮🇹

[@Acres9]

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

[@antoinefronte1479]

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

[@8roomsofelixir]

Small Addition: Place de Grève was one of the few open space of Medieval Paris because it was the river port of Paris at the time. Medieval Paris is a very "naval" and commercial city thanks to the Seine connection to the sea, and Place de Grève was where all the ocean and river traffic landed on the shore. For a while the merchant class dominated the city politics, formed the powerful guild of "Hanse Parisienne des Marchands de l'eau", which emblem, a ship in the waves, later became the emblem of Paris. This naval tradition is also why the city hall of Paris is located at Place de Grève.

[@simonestreeter1518]

Fascinant! Merci!

[@novianovioTV]

Good knowledge

[@MadManchou]

Will add that "Place de Grève" literally means "Square of the Beach/Shoreside". Place de Grève was also where workmen would gather to find a job for the day. This "tradition" of gathering in Place de Grève without a job ultimately gave the french word for "strike" : grève.

[@Hloutweg]

Going to Paris this summer. This just enriches my emotion to visit it again

[@MrPsicopazzo]

Love this channel

[@hugodesrosiers-plaisance3156]

As always, Manuel, your material is superbly produced. And this time, as a native Québécois French speaker myself, I can say your pronunciation of French names is spot on. Have you studied French? Thank you for sharing this beautiful material. Cheers!

[@newhorizon4066]

I didn't want to nitpick... But now that you've brought my attention to it, listen again to how Manuel pronounced the consonant "J"...That's not how the French do it. Maybe you do, in Quebec? Also how he pronounced "Louvre," "promenade," "Invalides", etc. A multitude of incorrect pronunciations. French is not Spanish.

[@bolanos3]

Como siempre, gran trabajo de Manuel

[@MiguelSanchezPerez-uv7el]

Thank you for always creating and sharing high-quality content like this video.

[@ososkid]

I really enjoy your videos. I always walk away not just having learned something, but learned something I’ll remember. Great presentations

[@ursa81]

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! ❤

[@samkelocele19]

Wow i have been waiting for this video I love the video

[@tylersmith4675]

Stumbled across your video and it’s really good. I wanted to hate Paris last year when I went but ended up loving it.

[@julieritchie3373]

These video's are fabulous. Manuel keeps himself out of view until the end which is so important, A great source of information and pleasure.

[@kleptomaniagta5362]

Props for your brand new footage from place de la Concorde, it was obviously taken a few days ago, while getting ready for the olympics 👍

[@coulie27]

Lived there many years. Your vids are consistently of the most stellar quality and work. Bravo encore! 😅 C'est magnifique

[@elinorbaker]

Magnífico video, como siempre, felicidades 🎉🎉🎉

[@jihaankiir1322]

I can't waitttttttttr❤

[@TommyBuckley999]

Excellent! Thank you! When preparing to travel, a video like this is so much better than all the home made travel guides which just just rattle off the obvious tourist spots.

[@carlfrano6384]

Wow! I had no idea that there was an ancient Roman amphitheater in Paris!

[@1BCamden]

Fantastic episode, so much effort into twenty two minutes, thank you, and yes Sainte-Chapelle

[@kristopherschave9641]

Bravo! Very well done!👏👏👏 Thank you for the beautiful and very up to date views around Paris! You did a great job with your research, editing, story telling and presentation!👍👍

[@marcelobellini5752]

Absolutely great video, Manuel!

[@NPJGlobal]

Very well structured look at 2000 years of Paris history! Bravo

[@nutier]

Amazing video ! Thank you for sharing . Happy week to you !

[@cellchook8686]

Thanks for this video! Very well explained

[@cuasterix]

Felicidades Manuel: excelente trabajo!

[@ferdinandff1736]

Great video as always!

[@mountainous_port]

I think, before we go into a trip to Paris, we have to watch videos like this, the trip becomes very meaningful. I also want to point out you have good French pronounciation

[@Ptolemy52]

Bro,I am very contented to see your notification about one of my favorite city i want to visit most.For the last 3 weeks,I was overhyped with Paris'colorful history from ancient to Haussman era.This is really a lovely coincidence,I thank to you very much,Hope your channel will provide the best quality of your content about the great cities all over the worlds! If my word's order is wierd,please correct me I am about learning english for a couple of years

[@gabiwonderwall0582]

Your English is already very well😊

[@Ptolemy52]

@@gabiwonderwall0582 Thank you!

[@lucasvanderkolk]

fantastic video!!

[@victorleloup7758]

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.

[@aalexander928]

This is beautiful & excellent. Thank you.

[@JoanManuelG25]

Man, Thank You so much for these videos. GOLD!

[@TempA-jg4qw]

Excellent video. Congratulations! The step by step description of the changes that took place is a great way of bringing history to life. The visuals paired with the maps really help the imagination. Earned a subscriber!

[@mikeifyouplease]

Another masterpiece, Manuel!

[@barductube]

I love the Montmartre and SacreCoeur, even now, when many things have changed. My Alsacian grandmother had fled from the Nazis in Dresden to Paris in 1933 and lived there until she was interned as a German by the Allies in 1945. But after 6 weeks she was acknowledged as a refugee and released from prison. She used to tell me stories about all the artisans and musicians who lived there and so I visited the place du Tertre when I was 16 in 69 and loved it instantly. Have been there many times and the artistic flair never vanished, hope to go there again. I love this video of yours, very informative, thank you.

[@feleepe]

Amazing video as usual. I've visited Paris before but didn't know all of these details and the meaning of how the spaces were designed and built. Now I have a new found appreciation for a place I already found absolutely breathtaking.

[@FenrirGrayhound]

Amazing video. And the pronunciation is absolutely flawless, merci !

[@jeremyhooper790]

Love your work Manuel. I always look forward to watching these videos.

[@joalexander8439]

Thank you for this sweeping review of the urban development of Paris!

[@1mikerider]

Love your videos, so interesting and informative with explanations and illustrations . Keep up the great videos!

[@zauwee]

Another great video, Manuel. Very interesting and informative. Thanks!

[@yrokelyod3471]

Thank you, great video.

[@ivanzhekov3799]

Keep on making these great videos!

[@joelhelmer145]

Thank you for this masterclass and the work put into it!

[@EternityRecordsUSA]

Thanks for such a brilliant video.

[@AlexFeldstein]

Excellent work Manuel! Muy bien hecho.

[@RicardoFailace]

Superb video and info. Greetings from Brazil.

[@stephenmccallion3407]

Outstanding! Thank you, Manuel.

[@adriennebrown3778]

Thank you for this amazing video

[@janvmayo]

Love your videos!

[@schuey7]

Awesome video. Thank you

[@frankschmitzer5824]

Very wonderful. Thank you, Manuel, for this brief trip to Paris and its marvelous history.

[@zaynisawesome1]

Thanks Manuel for the eye opening information on the history of the city. I saw the videos about Pompei, Rome, St Peter’s Cathedral and it gave me an insight to all the aspects of the treasures of these cities. I am planning a trip to Rome and Paris and will appreciate and enjoy these beautiful cities more as I am now equipped with the knowledge about everything I shall be seeing. Thanks and keep making such wonderful videos.

[@reeshabhbhat5028]

I loved the chronology and perfect information sequence with appropriate information. V V helpful for understanding simply. Thank you so very much.

[@InVinceyBoo]

Thank You for making this. It was very nice and informative. ❤

[@Aldaleon]

This was an amazing video. Thank you for sharing. I can't help but to feel an intense longing for Europe after being away so long, and the beauty preserved in its old city centres. Thank you.

[@malvarmarakontobro]

Incredible video, as usual!

[@annemaxwell9975]

So interesting. Thank you.

[@CaroleMora22]

This is an excellent presentation. Thank you!

[@pazcarpi6637]

Excelente video! Hace una semana estábamos en Paris y buscamos tu página con mi marido para ver si estaba “Paris explicada”. Recién nos llegó la notificación y no perdimos un segundo en verlo! Muy buen contenido. 👏🏻Saludos desde Argentina. 😊

[@shinyshinythings]

Very nicely done. Will share!

[@hmao4466]

Great producuction. I learnt a lot. Thank you.

[@sergiucodina196]

This video is just so pleasant to watch. Great job!!

[@barbaragerrett8508]

I enjoyed hearing about the history & seeing the old & new photos! Je t’aime Paris❣️ Merci beaucoup.

[@bassfingers]

An excellent video. I’ve only visited Paris once but the whole trip was something I’ll never forget. Some great memories. Thank you.

[@c.f.sedgwick1885]

Excellent video, as always.

[@angelinamax]

Fantastic video!

[@williamsullivan3967]

This was **so** good! Thanks for your hard work, Manuel!!

[@kiwiwifi]

Thank you for creating this incredible film

[@TheMarman57]

Thank you so much Manuel Bravo. I have always loved Paris, its beauty elegance and history. You have taught me so much more in this video. I now have an even greater appreciation for this wonderful city. When I visit next, I will look at everything through different eyes - your eyes and your explanation and teachings. I am already excited for it.

[@albertorodriguez8528]

What a great video! So informative. Watching this on the Eurostar on my way back to London… I can’t wait to come back to Paris ❤

[@johnnyxmusic]

Bravo… another fantastic presentation! ❤❤❤

[@oms7963]

Fantastic fantastic video thank you

[@davidferris3586]

Thank you for this informative and concise production

[@forestgreen916]

thank you for showing me paris once again ...

[@chrystalbrown9600]

Thank you! I learned a lot ❤

[@MelchiorL-nb3qj]

such quality content

[@iainradvan6867]

Tres interessant! Merci beaucoup.

[@billsitter8278]

AN excellent informing presentation of the city.

[@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.

[@martijnkeisers5900]

You made an excellent video! Greetings from Amsterdam ❤️

[@goodbearcookies]

Thank you Manuel for all these precious information and presented in a very nice and peaceful way !

[@jamessmithers4456]

Very very interesting. Tk you

[@amaitra]

I wish I had seen this before my visit! But I did walk through almost all these places!

[@laurentdevrillac3301]

Superbe vidéo explicative.Un très beau travail!

[@stamatispantsios4380]

Excellent vidéo! 👏