Paris

Art historian Sandrine Voillet tells the story of how Paris rose up from the blood-stained streets of the French revolution to become the world’s first great modern metropolis in just 100 years.

In this episode we explore the history of Paris, from its origins as a small island in the River Seine to its emergence as a centre of cultural richness. Behind elegant squares and romantic bridges lurk rough back streets and a heritage of bloody revolution. Art historian Sandrine Voillet meets the current trend-setters including fashion designer Christian Lacroix, leading porn star Ovidie, and rebel rap band Sniper.

Sandrine Voillet tells how the city embraced technology (the Lumiere Bros, Louis Renault and the Metro), counter-culture (Picasso, Josephine Baker and Serge Gainsbourg) and immigration to preserve its reputation as lighthouse city to the world. But it was not plain sailing: resistance to modernisation, the Occupation and rioting in the Banlieue tell a darker story and reveal problems unresolved to this day. Along the way, Sandrine meets Picasso's grandson and Jane Birkin.