The Renaissance in Paris was a cultural revival during the 16th and 17th Centuries. It was spurred by the Italian Renaissance, discovered by the French kings while on expeditions to Italy. As a matter of fact, the French Renaissance was partly born in Paris. As is commonly known, the essence of this cultural movement was the rediscovery of Classical philosophy, ancient Greek and Roman mythology, and Classical architecture. Another major element was Humanism, the unwavering belief in the power of men to shape their fate and control their destiny.

 King Francois I came back from Italy with a vision of the perfect city. He started making attempts to align the streets and paved the docks of the Seine. Most importantly, he brought about the onset of a new intellectual life, which flourished most notably on the left bank. After 1550, the Sorbonne district became the biggest centre of education in Europe. For example, Erasmus and Calvin studied in the rigorous college of Montaigu. What’s more, the Protestant Reformation set Parisians on the road to self-determination. Their horizons continued to widen as all of the European countries established connections amongst themselves. As a result, new perspectives opened up for Europeans.

The birth of an elite culture was reflected in all 17th-Century European courts. Additionally, the routes to America and India were discovered during this period of history, formally putting an end to the Middle Ages. The treasures of the French kingdom were often displayed in Paris. The city’s importance grew, and power was concentrated there to a greater and greater extent. Eventually, this led the kings to distrust the city.

t’s worth mentioning that the Italian Renaissance artists brought new inspiration to architecture. Among the monuments built at this time were the rue Montorgueil, Hôtel de Ville, St. Germain l`Auxerrois Church, St. Jacques Tower and Pont Neuf, the first stone bridge across the Seine which King Henry IV opened in 1607. Furthermore, the old Louvre fort was torn down by Francois I, and the site was renovated. The Tuilleries Gardens were laid out, and eminent sculptors like Pierre Lescot established the renowned French Renaissance style. The Pont Neuf was designed by Lescot, and the sculptures of Jean Goujon graced the wing between the two courtyards of the Louvre. They actually foreshadowed the later French Classical style, restrained and precise.