&w=1200&q=75)
Exploring Paris's Transformation: A Photographic Journey from Shabby to Chic
Before Paris found its va-va-voom! Beautiful images illustrate French capital as it transformed from shabby to chic
Mail Online
Image: Mail Online
A new exhibition at the Paris City Historical Library showcases 100,000 photographs from the 1970s, capturing the city's transformation from a rundown metropolis to a chic capital. The collection, featuring works from 15,000 amateur photographers, highlights the urban landscape during a period of significant change.
- 01The exhibition features 100,000 photographs taken by 15,000 amateur photographers across 1,755 areas of Paris.
- 02Images depict a city undergoing transformation with construction sites, political posters, and everyday life in the 1970s.
- 03The project was initiated after the May 1968 student revolt, documenting neighborhoods before they were demolished.
- 04The contest for photographers was launched by the city and FNAC, resulting in 30,000 color slides and 70,000 black-and-white prints.
- 05The exhibition runs from June 1 to October 7, 2026, at the Bibliothèque historique de la Ville de Paris.
Advertisement
In-Article Ad
A new exhibition at the Paris City Historical Library showcases a remarkable collection of 100,000 photographs from the 1970s, illustrating the transformation of Paris from a shabby city to a chic metropolis. The exhibition features works from 15,000 amateur photographers who captured the essence of the city during a time of significant change, filled with construction sites, political posters, and the daily lives of its inhabitants. Curator Juliette Eyméoud noted that these photographs provide a tender glimpse into Paris's past, while archivist Bérengère de l'Épine described the images as fresh and cinematic. The project originated after the May 1968 student revolt, which led to the demolition of parts of the city under President Georges Pompidou's modernization efforts. A contest was launched to document the city's neighborhoods before they disappeared, resulting in a diverse archive of urban life. The exhibition runs from June 1 to October 7, 2026, allowing visitors to explore a Paris that has since evolved dramatically.
Advertisement
In-Article Ad
The exhibition provides a historical context for Paris's urban development, highlighting the city's evolution and the impact of modernization on local neighborhoods.
Advertisement
In-Article Ad
Reader Poll
What aspect of Paris's transformation interests you the most?
Connecting to poll...
Read the original article
Visit the source for the complete story.