|
|
20th Century
Home » France » Paris History and Overview » 20th CenturyPosted by Your Guide on May 3, 2006 8:50 PM
1900’s saw the first line of the Paris Métro open, the Métro is the underground subway system in the city. The Métro was a large attraction during the World’s Fair held in Paris.
Paris was the site of peace negotiations during World War I having been spared an invasion by German troops. The years after WWI brought large numbers of tourists to the city. The nightlife along with the cultural and artistic communities made Paris a very desirable destination for many travelers. It also became home to several artists and literary greats such as writer Ernest Hemmingway, artist Pablo Picasso, and music composer Igor Stravinsky.
Near the start of World War II in 1940 Paris fell prey to German troops and became occupied with German forces. German troops stayed in Paris until 1944 when the city was freed by the Free French Forces.
After WWII Paris continued to grow and the city’s suburbs also grew significantly. Another subway system the RER was built to work in conjunction with the Métro to service the suburbs. Freeways were also built around the city making it easier for those who work in Paris to live outside the city. In light of the RER and the freeways many inner city areas of Paris became poor and have a high unemployment rate. This has made large social economic gaps between these poorer parts of Paris and the wealthier suburbs which has led to tension and even resulted in rioting in recent years.
Related Articles
- Paris History and Overview Introduction
- History
- The 19th Century
- 20th Century
- Economy
- Tourist Attractions