
— Nathaniel Drew —
How It Became Paris
How It Became Paris
Travel back in time to discover the untold stories behind 12 Parisian landmarks.- 104
- 104
- minutes
- 16
- 16
- Videos
About This Course
From the controversial, experimental structure of the Eiffel Tower to the extensive network of tunnels underneath Paris that became a burial site for the dead, there is much to discover about Paris’ landmarks. Nathaniel Drew peels back the layers of a city that he’s lived in for almost two years, sharing the untold stories that lie within some of Paris’ most important sites. We’ll take you behind the architecture to teach you about the human stories and the changing landscape of Paris. We’ll share the places where you’ll find traces of the Roman empire in Paris and how to spot the missing piece of the Louvre. There are many surprises that lurk within the landmarks and arrondissements of Paris that can only enrich your experience and understanding of this romantic city. And, among these stories, we will also share advice on how to plan your visit to these places if you decide to travel to Paris. Whether you’re planning a trip here, live here, or are just wanting to do some armchair travel from your home, this course will give you a deeper understanding of one of the most iconic cities in the world: Paris.
What you will learn
An overview of the geography of Paris
The intricate stories behind twelve of Paris' landmarks: the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe, Thermes de Cluny, Arènes de Lutèces, Quartier Latin, Île de la Cité, the Louvre, Bastille, the Catacombes, the Haussmann Redesign, le Sacré Coeur, Moulin Rouge
The symbolism and significance behind these sites
How the history of Paris has influenced the city that we see today
Advice on how to logistically plan your visit to these sites
Watch Lesson Samples
Watch Lesson Samples
Explore Chapters

Get to Know the Map of Paris
Nathaniel shares a map breakdown of Paris, from the arrangement of its arrondissements, or districts, to the key tourist attractions that can be found beyond the city’s boundary.

Paris: A (Brief) History
Get a brief overview of the history of Paris and learn about some of the key events that have shaped France’s capital city.
Nathaniel Drew is a travel photographer and filmmaker who fell in love with languages many years ago and has dedicated himself to slow traveling through Latin America and Europe and documenting his experiences online. He believes the way to unlock the places he spends time in is through learning to speak and therefore think like the locals. This has led him to fluency in French, Spanish & Italian. He is now studying Portuguese and has plans to one day tackle Arabic.
