The inimitable French style comes to life in a beautiful volume that covers not only the rich art, architecture, and history of the world's most popular tourist destination, but brings you into jazz clubs, through public gardens, onto film sets, and around the surrealists' playground of the 1920s.

Twenty centuries of revolution, artistic genius, and daily toil have forged Paris as we know it today. The specialist authors, all Parisians by birth or inclination, offer personal insights into all facets of their city: from Paris's turbulent and bloody history and the gritty reality of medieval life on the streets, to the magnificent architectural plans of kings and emperors, daring urbanists, and modern architects. Paris is a celebration of the capital's cultural riches-sculpture, painting, literature, and cinema-and the ambiance and savoir faire of this elegant city.

Original photographs capture the essence of Paris. From behind-the-scenes at the Louvre to cobblestone pedestrian markets, and from battles in barricaded streets to the sinuous windings of the Seine, this book takes the reader into the soul of this magical city.