The History of Paris

No one goes on forever and Charlemagne in his last years dealt with rebellion and family tragedy before leaving a precarious future for his heirs, for Europe and for Paris.

Charlemagne had conquered and stabilised the Frankish Kingdoms, embellishing its churches and encouraging learning and education, where could he go from here? Become an Emperor of course.

Alcuin of York, one of Charlemagne's greatest friends and teachers was one of the most brilliant people of his age, and his work supported by the great king would lay the seeds of learning and knowledge that lives still to this day in Paris.

Charlemagne stands astride the early medieval world like a colossus and his achievements will lay the foundation for a period of artistic renaissance that will bless Paris to this day. Threats are aplenty to his rule, but he pretty much consistently will rise to the challenge and overcome them with aplomb.

Pepin the Short had deposed the Merovingians, but he needed legitimacy, and if there was one man who could give him that, it was the Pope in Rome.

What do you do to make yourself stand out when your father is the most famous person in Europe? Make yourself a king of course. Pepin the Short's reign continues the steady rise of the Carolingian family.

Charles Martel was not just a warrior and his far-reaching reforms set the stage for the incredible power and wondrous creations of his successors. This week we say goodbye to Charles the Hammer, and meet his son, who has a far less cool nickname.

Charles Martel wins his greatest victory at Tours and is anointed as preeminent ruler of the Franks in Paris, while new innovations and new forces come to make their impact felt and leave their mark on the Frankish kingdoms and Paris.

Charles Martel deals with his stepmother, and the Parisians elect themselves an unlikely King.

Charles Martel was born into a world of conflict and was not chosen to rule from an early age. His early life and struggles will be the making of him.

Pippin of Herstal and his descendants are going to dominate Western and Central Europe for centuries, but his rise, and the rise of his son Charles Martel is not without opposition, as Paris gets a little left behind.

Chlothair the Younger and Dagobert were the last Merovingians to really control the Kingdom of the Franks and Paris. Before they go they promulgate laws and preside over the construction of the new Basilica of Saint Denis, with the help of a knife wielding saint.

Fredegund wins a famous victory with a tactic that would make Shakespeare proud. The civil wars that wrack Paris and the Kingdom of the Merovingians reach a bloody conclusion.

Bloody civil war wracks the Kingdom of the Franks, and Paris is a juicy prize. Two queens, Brunnhild and Fredegund fight it out.

Monasticism, and the institutions that it creates, has had a huge impact on Paris's history, and in the mid 500s, some of the most important are founded.

Clotilde, the wife of Clovis, convinces him to convert to Christianity, and a new capital is announced.

There is a new kid on the block. Clovis, King of the Franks is coming and Genevieve sets to work building a new church.

The Roman Empire is falling and Attila the Hun meets his end. What does this mean for Paris and her people?

Attila the Hun crashes headlong into our story and Genevieve rises to the defense of the city of Paris.

After Julian's death, Christianity starts to flex its muscles, with new leaders like Saint Martin and Saint Genevieve coming to the fore.

Constantine and Christianity are victorious, or are they? Julian the Apostate tries to turn back the clock, and Lutetia gets its first Emperor.

New challenges appear for the people in Lutetia as the Franks begin to make their appearance on the scene.

The Roman world runs into plague and new religions make a lasting impact on Lutetia.

A Gallo-Roman takes a day wandering around old Lutetia.

The History of Paris continues with the new Roman town of Lutetia and the melding of cultures into something new.