The Fortifications of Paris: An Illustrated History
Paris, the capital and largest city of France, situated in a strategic position of continental Europe. Famous for its art galleries and architectural landmarks from the Eiffel Tower, The Louvre to the Arc de Triomphe. This romantically inspiring city also boasts various fortifications showcasing its rich historical military architecture.
The presence of these forts establishes the fact of the city’s strategic importance on World and European affairs making it a valued target of invaders from the ancient period to World War Two. It is noted that one’s visit to this magnificent city would not be complete without seeing some of the still existing forts. Gratitude goes to writer-historian Jean Denis G.G. Le Page for coming up with this impressive and heavily illustrated account on Parisian forts. The author is to be commended for this exquisitely researched and finely written volume. Mr. Le Page is also the author of two books namely Medieval Armies and Weapons of Western Europe and Castles and Fortified Cities of Medieval Europe.
The book is divided into four parts: each with seven, seventeen, fourteen and ten chapters respectively. The book is written with the goal of documenting the history design and development of Parisian Fortifications. Reading a historical narrative without looking at the causes of events would be incomplete, as the author early on the introduction acknowledge that as one turns the pages. It would be confronted with various conflict and battles that led to the creation of these defensive structures.
Part I, “ From Lucotecia to Paris”, covers the Gallic period to the Capetian dynasty. This segment encompasses the Roman conquest including the Christianization period to the end of the Roman Empire. Another essential subject well covered is the Merovingian and Carolingian era. The last segment tackles the feudal system that pave way for the division of the society into three classes: the clergy, the upper class and the common class. It was at this period that castles begun to take shape from the wooden to stone castle design.
In part II, “ The Medieval Period”, the initial chapter provides a background on the growth of France and the City of Paris itself. Here Mr. Le Page looks into the distinct areas that played a role in the city’s expansion. Of note in this section is the detailed historical and design development of the Enceinte of Philippe II Auguste, The Louvre and the Temple. A chapter is also devoted on the first part of the Hundred Years War, narrating its cause and the personalities involved. The subsequent chapters cover the enceinte of Charles V, the Castle of Vincennes, the famous Bastille and private medieval fortifications. The latter is of significance to this reviewer, as the topic was not fully covered during my course in the study of Architecture. The four remaining chapter’s deals on the second part of the Hundred Year’s War, the introduction and development of weapons that would make the Armor obsolete and bring fortifications down. Citadels and Forts also emerged during this era which unlike castles; the two structures are purely military manned. Completing the section of the medieval period takes the readers to the Wars in Italy to the end of the 15th Century.
In part III, the author concentrates on the Bastioned Fortifications. The concept emerged during the various French expeditions into Italy, where the use of artillery against fortifications was successful. Vividly depicted and told are the Italian bastioned designs and the Italian Engineers mastery of the subject that led to the various publications on its theory of design. Their plans dominated European military architecture, were they were tapped to design bastioned fortifications or improve existing structures. A few pages further the author takes the readers during the reign of Louis XIV were the country was involved in various conflicts. During his time marked thew completion of the Louvre, the creation of the Porte Saint Denis to commemorate their victory over Holland. It was also during this era that the construction of the “Pre Carre” commenced which is a line of forts in the outskirts of the country. These fortifications are both used in defensive and offensive operations. Another important period covered is the reign of Napoleon Bonaparte, the famous General’s Fortifications and way of warfare is thoroughly discussed.
The final portion of the book, “ Modern Fortifications”, encompassing ten chapters begins with the advent of the new weapons of war to the liberation of the French capital during World War Two. Here, readers would be given a background on the effects of the Industrial revolution on the arms industry of Europe to the development of the French made Artillery, rifles and machine guns. Also described and drawn in detail is the second ring of Parisian polygonal forts. The end chapters focuses on both World Wars, were the Maginot and Chauvineau lines and the German Bunkers during the occupation period are lucidly illustrated from their concept, construction and composition to their feats during the war.
In assessment, Mr. Le Page has done an outstanding job in putting in print the rich legacy of French Military Architecture and History. His mastery of the subject forms the primary strength of the book. His illustrations will be of importance to Instructors-for visual aids and students of Architecture and Civil Engineering. His illustrations are admirable as such that he has not only portrayed the structure itself but rather provided a view on its occupants as depicted by his illustrations of Knights and Musketeers and the weapons they use are given importance. This is an essential element of Architecture that conveys the life/background of the occupant’s way of life and its relation to its dwelling. History professors, civilian and military historians would appreciate the vast information contained in the book not just of Architecture but of French and European history. The only criticism that I had was that a map of present day Paris could have been added as reference to identify the fort locations and of the City Streets and Boulevards mentioned.
In conclusion, I have thoroughly enjoyed and learned much from this book. It has refreshed and added new information on what I have learned some few years ago. This book will be a valuable addition in university libraries, military academies and colleges, army engineering brigades. I highly recommend Fortifications of Paris.