1515-1547: Under the reign of Francis I, the capital is embellished with Renaissance constructions: the new Louvre, the Hôtel de Ville… Creation of the Collège de France, an assembly of researchers and artists who give their classes for free.

1572: Massacre of Protestants on St Bartholomew’s Day.

1605: Henri IV undertakes building the Place Royale, the future Place des Vosges.

1610: Henri IV is assassinated by Ravaillac, rue de la Ferronnerie.

1610-1643: Under Louis XIII, the Bishop of Paris leaves the wardship of Sens by becoming Archbishop. Richelieu founds the Académie Française. The Museum of Natural History also is established. The Luxembourg Paris rises from the ground and the works on Ile Saint Louis and the Marais are at their height.

1648: Under the reign of Anne of Austria and her Prime Minister Mazarin, it is the beginning of the Fronde, the revolt of the people, parliaments and princes, which rocked Paris until 1653.

1659: Molière knows his first great success with Les Précieuses ridicules. Two years later, he moves with his troupe to the Théâtre du Palais-Royal.

End of the 17C: Louis XIV has his masterpieces of Classical art built : the Cour Carrée and the colonnade of the Louvre, the Hôtel des Invalides, the Chateau de Versailles... In 1680, he leaves the Palace of the Louvre with his court for Versailles.

1715: Death of Louis XIV at Versailles after 72 years of reign.