Wood Chair, Paris - Designer Series

Paris ignites the French Revolution, driven by economic hardship, social inequality, and political unrest. 

The storming of the Bastille on July 14 signals the collapse of absolute monarchy, with revolutionary ideals spreading rapidly. The city’s streets become battlegrounds of change, as protests, pamphlets, and speeches fuel the call for liberty. Food shortages and inflation exacerbate tensions, leading to radical demands for reform. Revolutionary leaders such as Robespierre and Danton emerge, shaping the course of France’s political future. The fall of the monarchy transforms Paris into a laboratory for democracy, albeit one marked by violence and upheaval. 

In this era of upheaval, Paris redefines its role as the heart of a new, revolutionary France.

Paris flourishes under King Philip Augustus, who strengthens the city’s defenses with the construction of its first fortified walls. The ambitious construction of Notre Dame Cathedral continues, symbolizing the city’s religious and architectural prestige as well as the rise of Gothic architecture. 

The expanding population fuels urban growth, with markets, churches, and universities establishing Paris as a center of trade and learning. The Seine River remains vital for commerce, linking Paris to broader European trade networks. Parisian streets bustle with merchants, scholars, and clergy, reinforcing the city’s status as the heart of the Capetian dynasty. Feudal structures define daily life, though the city’s growing influence foreshadows its emergence as France’s political and cultural heart. 

Under Philip Augustus, Paris embarks on a path toward modernization, setting the stage for future developments in governance, infrastructure, and education.