Paris Explained

[@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

[@PARISCREA]

So nice of you ! I am a big fan too, more than I take pride !

[@BellotaVerde]

@@angelogarcia2189 Paris is way overrated. Prague is more beautiful; and with better pastries. Florence is simply awesome, with Italian food 1000x better than French food.

[@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.

[@Cigmacica]

People were also scared to have their houses teared down and replaced by houses built for rich people

[@damiengalandpottier4269]

I hope you could visit Paris during the Olympics. The city was magical : the mix between these beautiful monuments and the modernity was just amazing. Thank you for your instructive content.

[@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 🇮🇹

[@christianterraes8334]

Absolument.

[@edefournas]

Very well said and very true ! 🇫🇷🫶🇮🇹

[@mariodinaccio6459]

Paris tried to copy Rome, but it's not worth a tenth of Rome.

[@edefournas]

@@mariodinaccio6459 says an Italian guy ! 🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️ Totally subjective opinion.

[@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:))

[@surfsenegal]

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

[@DavidS5118]

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

[@alegzandeeer2690]

Your passion and genuine interest make these videos even more enjoyable brother. Keep going!

[@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

[@ethanol1586]

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

[@andyyang5234]

I find it interesting that Parisians seem quite unique in that they're always complaining about "eyesores" in the city. From the Eiffel tower (which was eventually accepted) to the Tour Montparnasse, to the Pyramid of the Louvre, to the recent Tour Triangle. There's always someone trying to challenge Paris' traditional aesthetics, and while some did get accepted, the backlash is often so great that Paris settles deeper into its established looks. Don't recall another city where the people has such a strong opinion of their cities aesthetics, to the point that it overturns government policy on several occassions.

[@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! ❤

[@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 ;)

[@Max30kg]

This video was amazing, I really appreciate the time and effort you put into this video - I would love to watch a part two of this theme, maybe where you explain the arrondissements?

[@jeff__w]

17:42 I knew about the Obelisk of Luxor in the Place de la Concorde but not about the diagram in bronze at the obelisk’s base depicting the machinery and mechanics involved in moving the obelisk. Very cool! And, contrary to what might be assumed, the obelisk is _not_ the fruit of imperial conquest and theft but, rather, the gift of Muhammad Ali Pasha, ruler of Ottoman Egypt. (He actually gave France _two_ obelisks but the second was never moved because transporting the first one was difficult enough.) And, in fact, the obelisk acts as the world’s sundial. Hour lines are marked out in bands and bronze nails surrounding the obelisk.

[@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.

[@antoinefronte1479]

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

[@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!

[@PARISCREA]

Paris can be addictive indeed ! I leave there and still get to discover many things so often ! Come back !

[@kamilasajdlova9391]

Thank you so much for this video! 🙏🏻 I just got back from Paris, where I fell in love with the gorgeous limestone buildings. I live in Prague, which is also very beautiful, but our houses are much more colourful. I find the unified design of limestone buildings very timeless, calming, almost tranquil. And they age very well. I really enjoyed your video, thank you. 😌

[@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 ❤

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@richmck007]

Thank you very much for your excellent documentary of a city I fell in love with in 1982 when on a hot 14th July I arrived from London with my then girlfriend to discover a closed city due tot he Bastille celebrations but a wonderful parade of military might and adorned city. There was no massive tourism then so we were able to enjoy Parisis (!) That’s when my love affair with the city of light began. I could never get enough of Paris, so I have been back more than 20 times to indulge in its history and French culture. Sadly, it has become so expensive to visit that this year due to the Olympic Games I will have to wait until another year to once again walk along the riverbanks of the Seine, and appreciate the Latin quarter once more. For me, the Louvre and the D’Orsey are the epitome of French treasures. Along with the gardens in Paris. I would like to see a documentary of the waterways of Paris ( The Seine and St. Martin canal ). Merci.

[@edefournas]

Tu seras toujours le bienvenu, cher amoureux de Paris 🫶

[@bear_walker2006]

Hello love these videos they are great! Please could you do an explanation on London next?

[@francoisb.4453]

Great overview of the building of the city! 👏👏👏

[@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

[@MiguelSanchezPerez-uv7el]

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

[@joalexander8439]

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

[@hitrapperandartistdababy]

What an amazing channel this is! I love learning about ancient cities and their layout because its something sadly alot of people neglect imo. I would love to see you cover Istanbul, the forbidden city, perhaps some cities of egypt like Alexandria or even Babylon one day 🤗 keep up the stella education!

[@reeshabhbhat5028]

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

[@JoanManuelG25]

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

[@MrPsicopazzo]

Love this channel

[@garnray8568]

Paris is widely considered as the most beautiful city in the world, and rightly so. The architecture, outstanding monuments, prestigious and elegant boulevards, avenues, squares, etc.... the shops, restaurants, department stores, museums, art galleries, etc... Everything is a feast for the eyes. How I would love to be rich to buy a superb appartment in one of those delightful buildings. Haussmannian architecture, they call it.

[@alberto19761]

Rome is more beautiful

[@garnray8568]

@@alberto19761 Rome, Paris, Vienna, Firenze, Venezia certainly are the most beautiful cities in the world, but sorry, it's Paris that takes the crown. Rome has a lot of charm and beauty, but Paris is above.....

[@alberto19761]

@@garnray8568 no, when Rome had 1 million of inhabitants Paris was a field. Paris history doesn't come even remotely close

[@garnray8568]

@@alberto19761 I am not talking about History, I am talking about BEAUTY. Rome is super super super beautiful, I rank number 2 in terms of Beauty, but Paris is number 1.

[@alberto19761]

@@garnray8568 beauty is subjective

[@edwardfernandez5354]

Very informative documentary. Very well connected city, I've heard the designs have made families keep in touch much easier to develop closer relationships. The cities' layout do make a big difference in many significant perspective in humanity.

[@NPJGlobal]

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

[@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.

[@TeresaLeandro]

Place de Grève was also the place where public executions would take place.

[@jumaris28]

You always do your homework so well before presenting your videos which I enjoy intensely. Thank you for the tour .. you should upload more often , always a pleasure to hear you Greetings for Camarillo, California 😊

[@sistematic]

Paris no solo es un museo al.aire libre, sino el icono de como el ser humano construye una obra de arte a cielo abierto

[@jlangner2]

In Paris case it was literally ONE mean - Mr Haussmann! 😂

[@iainradvan6867]

Tres interessant! Merci beaucoup.

[@tomdigangi2722]

Great video. Thanks. I enjoyed it very much. One correction: you state at the 1:30 mark that there is noting left of the forum. However, if you access the underground parking garage through the street level stairs just past the current Burger King in front of 63 Boulevard Saint Michelle (where it intersects Rue Stufflot), there is encased in glass a portion of the wall that surrounded the Roman Forum. Not a "must see" by any means, but worth a visit if you are in that area.

[@Hloutweg]

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

[@PARISCREA]

Enjoy your trip ! You will see big changes ! Paris is in Olympic mode !!

[@coulie27]

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

[@lisalisa-q7q]

The best city in the world ❤

[@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!👍👍

[@elinorbaker]

Magnífico video, como siempre, felicidades 🎉🎉🎉

[@santiagoalvarado578]

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

[@bobdobalina838]

The creation of the extra wide streets by Hausmann wasn't just to make the city beautiful it was actually to facilitate movement of troops through the city to quash any more uprisings or revolutions.

[@hitrapperandartistdababy]

I remember visiting Paris as a kid twice. On my first trip with my aunt and her friend we walked to the eiffel Tower, then to the Louvre, then to Notre dame, ate dinner at a restuarant and walked back to our hotel between The Triump and the Eiffen tower. Was a really long walk but I had so much fun, and I’m glad I got to see Notre dame before it’s tragic burning

[@nicolaspicart3485]

Notre-Dame re-opens next year ! Most of it was thankfully preserved. Only the roof and the "flèche" (the pointy bit on the roof, which was a late addition) burned. The rest stood still. They've been working on it for the past 4 years and it's almost finished !

[@hitrapperandartistdababy]

@@nicolaspicart3485 aye I’ve followed it closely 😊 Thanks to the vaulted ceiling just barely holding on the roof was unable to collapse into the church itself! We sadly had a similar experience in Denmark recently. Our stock exchange ‘Børsen’ burned in a similar manner, only trategically there was no vaulted ceiling and we lost the entire building. A historic heritage site and one of the most recognicable structures in Copenhagen due to its dragon spire tower (yes, 4 dragons whoose tail are tangled together to form the spire of the tower roof) Despite losing the building though, something remarkable happene. Peopel both pedetrians, workers, firefighters aswell as directors from børsen, organised quick and vital rescue missions to go in and salvage any art and paintings able to be carried out so thankfully the majority of the priceless artifacts where saved

[@mrsupremegascon]

@@hitrapperandartistdababy I visited Copenhagen few years ago and was amazed by the Børsen. I was very sad when I heard it burned. Do they plan to rebuild it ?

[@hitrapperandartistdababy]

@@mrsupremegascon yeah that’s the plan

[@sorensoul]

⁠@@nicolaspicart3485tis but a “fléche” wound 😉

[@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 👍

[@ososkid]

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

[@1BCamden]

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

[@marcelcharbonnier297]

Thank you Manuel for your accurate explanation. As it happens I met a friendly Corean visitor some days ago at a bus stop near Pont Mirabeau. He wanted to visit Montmartre and as I was myself having a stroll I suggested to accompany him. We took the metro and I wanted to show him Place de la Concorde, but it was closed because of the implementation of the Olympic Games, so we went on to Madeleine, which we visited and I could give him some explanations from the top of its flight of stairs, with a wonderful view on Concorde, the National Assembly, the golden dome of Invalids, Montparnasse tower... After that we took the metro to the station Abbesses and climed to Sacré Cœur basilica. In these several hours together, I gave this visitor the main explanations about Paris development, in a nutshell, and your documentary reassured me on the fact that I was right in limiting my explanations to these main historical data 😅. I wonder, may be I could be a guide for tourists visiting Paris...

[@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.

[@thomasgansevoort929]

@@newhorizon4066 I noticed in one small section the music was from the opera,'Carmen'. Perhaps Manuel signs his video that way the sam as Alfred Hitchcock made a breif appearance in his films. Of course that's speculation on my part. I thougt this a marvelous video.

[@BruneSixtine]

Excellent explainations and impressive up to date footages. We can see numerous construction sites, for exemples the ones for the olympic games, mayor Hidalgo's obsession with bicycle lanes, the renovation of Notre-Dame and the construction of The Link towers in La Défense.

[@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. 😊

[@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

[@bingsanchez7256]

Thank you. It’s very informative ❤

[@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.

[@PARISCREA]

Why would you want to hate it in the fist place, I am curious ?

[@billsitter8278]

AN excellent informing presentation of the city.

[@joelhelmer145]

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

[@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!

[@MelchiorL-nb3qj]

such quality content

[@Psycandy]

loads of statues of famous horses! well famous now, anyway. Best bits of Paris: Rodin sculptures, La Defence, learning French, Auberge de Jeunesse, Le Metro, Baguette et Vin, Beacoup du vin, 'nous avons du vin' which the Gendarmes confiscate but later replace with something better. Oh and Versailles, if that counts. And the dogs.

[@oms7963]

Fantastic fantastic video thank you

[@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!

[@carlfrano6384]

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

[@samkelocele19]

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

[@Banksied]

Do a similar video on London!

[@bolanos3]

Como siempre, gran trabajo de Manuel

[@goodbearcookies]

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

[@williamsullivan3967]

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

[@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.

[@wsp912]

Very interesting about the circle, triangle and the square

[@Hiro_Trevelyan]

I'd like to add something : at 6:16, you imply that the monarchy had absolute power over personal property and while I'm not a monarchist (far from that), it's actually not true. Monarchies in Europe, including the French monarchy, couldn't invoke eminent domain for public or royal projects. When extending the Louvre, kings had to buy off the land they wanted to expand on, they couldn't just evict people from properties just as they liked. Of course they had stuff to go their ways, but it's not as simple as "I do what I want, get out of my way"

[@cuasterix]

Felicidades Manuel: excelente trabajo!

[@jeremyhooper790]

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

[@tonyberkel6323]

Excellent Video! I'm an Urban Planner by trade and a Lawyer and I tell you how much I appreciated the history your video provided !!!! Keep up the good work !

[@Karrllson]

Great video! This is how a tourist guide should be. For those interested in history anyway.

[@barbaragerrett8508]

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

[@jihaankiir1322]

I can't waitttttttttr❤

[@thespasm86]

Thank you for the amazing video! It is also worth mentioning the ugly building Tour Montparnasse, and how because of it, Paris banned all tall modern buildings in the city.

[@zauwee]

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

[@fredericneupont1744]

A detail about the Place des Vosges (formerly the Place Royale): the king's architect did indeed provide the plans with a prestigious architectural program mixing stone, brick, and slate, but originally it was intended to house shops and manufactories. Although aristocrats quickly appropriated this place, which had the extraordinary luxury at the time of offering a vast empty space under their windows in the middle of the city, it was initially financed by bourgeois. These bourgeois did not all have vast means, and this explains why, on a fair number of the façades of the square, the bricks are fake, simply painted on the masonry... it was more economical!

[@stephenmccallion3407]

Outstanding! Thank you, Manuel.

[@ferdinandff1736]

Great video as always!

[@frankschmitzer5824]

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

[@lucasvanderkolk]

fantastic video!!

[@mattrikz9903]

I dont know how Manuel does this… sooo much information and history in this video, this must have took incredibly long to produce and edit. Well done because it turned out amazing! Where do you get all of this information? do you just google everything or whats your process?

[@simonestreeter1518]

I believe he has a degree in architecture and/or urban design. Google is becoming next to useless.

[@donaquinilator4959]

I think he is architect

[@mikeifyouplease]

Another masterpiece, Manuel!

[@pscm9447]

It's often underestimated how deeply romanized Gaul was at the end of the Empire, and how France's history is intrinsically linked with the idea of Renovatio Imperii. There's a reason why we call France "the eldest daughter of the Catholic Church" (Rome)...

[@nutier]

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

[@FenrirGrayhound]

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

[@kiwiwifi]

Thank you for creating this incredible film

[@cathyjustcathy785]

Another wonderful and informative video! Thank you, Manuel Bravo!

[@marcelobellini5752]

Absolutely great video, Manuel!

[@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.