Paris became the power base for the kings of France at the beginning of the Capetian dynasty, when Huge Capet ascended the throne. Successive kings and emperors have left their mark and many of the places you will visit in Paris have royal associations: Philippe Auguste's fortress, the Louvre Palace, is now one of the world's great museums: Henri IV's Pont Neuf bridge links the Ile de la Cité with the two banks of the Seine; and Napoleon conceived the Arc de Triomphe to celebrate his military victories. The end of the long line of Kings came with the overthrow of the monarchy in 1848, during the reign of Louis-Philippe.

Gallo-Roman Paris