In 1962 a programme of renovation was started in Paris. Run-down districts like the Marais began to be restored. This work was continued by François Mitterrand's Grand Travaux (great works) scheme. Access was improved to historical monuments and art collections, such as the Grand Louvre and the Musée d'Orsay. The scheme was responsible for the building of several monuments to the modern age, including the Opera Bastille, the Cité des Sciences and the Bibliothèque Nationale in Tolbiac. With these and the magnificient modern Défense and Grande Arche, Paris prepared herself for the 21st century.

- Students at the Barricades: In May 1968 Paris saw a revolution of a kind. The Latin Quarter was taken over by students and workers. What began as a protest against the war in Vietnam spread to other issues and became an expression of discontent with the Government. President de Gaulle rode out the storm but his prestige was severely damaged.

- La Défense: This huge business centre was started on the edge of Paris in 1958. Today 30,000 people commute here from Paris's surrounding areas.

- Marne La Vallée: Like a gigantic loud speaker, this residential complex is in one of Paris's dormitory towns near Disneyland Paris.

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