Paris and myths of yesterday and today

Here is the history of this wonderful city, from Celtic times up till today, written in a light-hearted way that should be appreciated by all.

The writer has fun resuscitating the typical Celto-Gaulish divinities who were like one big family watching over the population. Its inhabitants may be panic-stricken by natural events for which they have no explanation, so they take care to placate those heavenly beings (each having a specific role) with little gifts, to win their favour.

There’s a dilemma when natural features have a legend hanging over them, and historical characters are coloured by myth. Hence Paris’s rich history and mythical heritage. The story of the martyred St. Denis and the mysticism surrounding his decapitation brings us to Montmartre. St. Marcel’s battle with the Bièvre dragon takes us to the Gobelins. A giant, Ysoré of Mons Isoris, will welcome us into his cavern – the Paris catacombs ! Then there’s the Diable Vauvert waiting to terrorise women and children who pass through Hell’s gate in the Wall of Philippe Auguste.

As for the Valley of the Hautefeuille where the green virgins used to refresh themselves on Mons Leucotecius – this makes us remember one Genovefa, protectrice of the Lutetians, she who lives on in our Montagne Sainte Geneviève

This is a work of 234 pages blessed with a large bibliography which is the key to discovering in a fashion that may surprise the reader, these often little-known origins of the capital city.

It is out of stock in bookshops but may be obtained from the author.