Paris through documentaries
Who doesn’t dream of escaping in these times of confinement? Fortunately, it is still possible online while waiting for the possibility to carry out your plans and travels. Paris may be your next destination… So why not discover it in preview or update your knowledge: though Paris has a long history, its modernity continues to reinvent itself. Thanks to our selection of documentaries in Paris, you can choose your viewing angle .
Simply as a tourist with Paris, guide complet or Paris, les merveilles de la capitale, or from a historical point of view thanks to the 1946 award-winning documentary on Paris 1900, made from news films (that can also be found on the INA website). On Youtube, you will find the archives of the show Des Racines et des Ailes, a large number of which are devoted to Paris: whether it is Quand Paris s’appelait Lutèce, Paris au temps des gares, Il était une fois les Tuileries, Révolution Haussmann, … not to mention others retracing the history and activities of famous Parisian places, such as De l’Etoile à la Concorde, Paris de place en place, Au cœur du Marais… But if there is one subject on which you will be spoiled for choice, it is obviously that of Notre-Dame. In the series Les-docus.com, Notre-Dame comme vous ne l’avez jamais vue, Les secrets de Notre-Dame de Paris : le rêve devient réalité, or even Notre- Dame de Paris, l’épreuve des siècles -a 2009 docu-fiction-, you will be immersed in times when the cathedral had not yet suffered from fire; others such as Notre-Dame, l’incroyable sauvetage ou Rebuilding Notre-Dame (de KienThucMang) will plunge you back into the heart of the drama suffered by this much beloved monument. A quite recent documentary will surprise you with its unusual approach: Paris mystère, plongez dans le sous-sol de la capitale.
You may be willing to know more about the Paris of fashion, with its mythical designers. Visit Arte.tv to see Paris Couture and also Karl Lagerfeld, une icône hors norme, Sur les pas de Christian Louboutin, or l’histoire de Gabrielle Chanel (on Inside-Chanel.com) unless you lean for Azzedine Alaïa's (Joesfilm.com).
If you are interested in the Parisian gastronomic tradition, you will watch Au pied de Cochon, au cœur d’une brasserie mythique parisienne or Paris, le sacre du sucré (Arte). Unless you are an art lover; in this case you will devour the series of Les Aventuriers de l’Art moderne where Picasso and Modigliani, the Fauvists and the cubists make Paris the capital of modernity. On the other hand, if you are a nature lover, indulge yourself with Paris, jardins secrets and follow the itineraries of Paris, Ile de France : 3 randonnées. Whatever you choose, you will be thrilled by this inexhaustible city!