"When François Mitterrand became President in 1981, his aim was to restore France’s reputation in the world, not on defence policy, but on buildings. He immediately acknowledged the need to revive the nation’s architecture, telling his cabinet, ‘There can be no policy of greatness for France without great architecture’. You can find many history books on Paris that touch on its architecture. You can find many guidebooks that do it in a different way. This book may not be for everyone but it combines enough history with a keen eye for what is available for those whose curiosity exceeds the average tourist."Haussmann and his team of architects created a unifying façade that is now the unmistakable symbol of Paris: apartment blocks made of beautiful locally-mined Lutetian limestone. The height of the new buildings was restricted to six storeys, with balconies and a mansard roof made of zinc and angled at 45 degrees to allow more sunlight for the street below, and dormer windows. The finishing touch on this is the distinctive chimney pots. Coal was expensive in the nineteenth century and a chimney pot, signifying a centrally heated home, became a symbol of wealth. These pots are ubiquitous today, but are mostly ornamental."I liked the author’s approach and the combination of outlining and deep dives into various periods."The Art Deco period (1913–1939) introduced a style of sleek lines and strong colours influenced by Modernism and Cubism. The Théâtre des Champs-Élysées (15 ave Montaigne 75008), with its reinforced concrete, symmetry, simplicity and functionality, and the Folies Bergères music hall (32 rue Richer, 75009) are prime examples. Art Nouveau and Art Deco came together in 1924 at Piscine de la Butte aux Cailles (5 place Paul Verlaine, 75013). The exterior of this swimming pool is curvaceously Nouveau while the interior has Deco-style exposed concrete arches. It is one of Paris’ best-kept secrets."If you are interested in a particular period, there is a section that gives you a start on key structures in that particular style. I wish I had purchased it before I went to Paris, rather than after. But, having tried other approaches, I am sure that it will be with me on my next trip.Before I leave this review, let me share comments on one of Paris’ most famous edifices, Cathedral Notre-Dame. This book is current in noting its damage and that is “part of the heart and soul of Paris. ‘Notre-Dame is our history, our literature, part of our psyche, the place of all our great events, our epidemics, our wars, our liberations, the epicentre of our lives,’ President Macron told reporters…” The author also notes that we are approaching the time when reconstruction should be finished. I was there last month and it was hard to tell how much was left to be done. However, the cathedral is surrounded by large barriers that have been effectively used to tell the story of the damage and the various workers and artisans whose efforts will result in a magnificent achievement. No one in all the centuries previous will have seen the windows, sculptures, paintings, etc. all cleaned and in their most presentable state.5*