A Brief History of Paris

audiobook (Unabridged) How the World's Most Beautiful City Was Built on Blood, Brilliance, and Bold Ideas

By Dominic Haynes

cover image of A Brief History of Paris
Audiobook icon Visual indication that the title is an audiobook

Sign up to save your library

With an OverDrive account, you can save your favorite libraries for at-a-glance information about availability. Find out more about OverDrive accounts.

   Not today

Find this title in Libby, the library reading app by OverDrive.

Download Libby on the App Store Download Libby on Google Play

Search for a digital library with this title

Title found at these libraries:

Library Name Distance
Loading...

This audiobook is narrated by a digital voice.


You know Paris for its beauty—but do you know the blood, brilliance, and bold revolutions that built it?

Do you wish you understood Paris's rich past but feel overwhelmed by how much there is to learn? Have you visited Paris—or dreamt of going—only to realize you barely know what shaped the streets you're walking?

This fast-paced, story-driven history book cuts through the clutter and gives you a clear, gripping journey through Paris's transformation—from a muddy Roman outpost to the dazzling global capital of art, ideas, and rebellion. Whether you're planning a trip, brushing up for school, or just love a good origin story, this book delivers the clarity, context, and excitement you've been missing.

Inside, you'll discover:

  • 🏛️ A chronological walkthrough of Paris's evolution—clear, compact, and cinematic
  • ⚔️ The real stories behind revolutions, riots, and reigns of terror
  • 🎨 How Paris became the cultural heart of Europe through art, music, and philosophy
  • 🏙️ The Haussmann redesign that built the Paris you see today
  • ✊ From kings and emperors to students and radicals—how bold ideas shaped the city's fate
  • 🗺️ Perfect context for travelers, students, or anyone who wants to "get" Paris in just a few hours
  • Think Paris's history is too long, confusing, or academic? Think again. This isn't a textbook—it's a guided journey packed with drama, beauty, and meaning. No fluff, no jargon—just the story of how one city changed the world.

    👉 Listen to A Brief History of Paris now and uncover the soul of the City of Light.

    *PDF copy included with purchase

    A Brief History of Paris