
Paris to the Past
Traveling Through French History by Train
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Narrated by:
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Christa Lewis
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By:
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Ina Caro
In one of the most inventive travel books in years, Ina Caro invites listeners on 25 one-day train trips that depart from Paris and transport us back through 700 years of French history. Whether taking us to Orléans to evoke the visions of Joan of Arc or to the Place de la Concorde to witness the beheading of Marie Antoinette, Caro animates history with her lush descriptions of architectural splendors and tales of court intrigue. “[An] enchanting travelogue” (Publishers Weekly), Paris to the Past has become one of the classic guidebooks of our time.
©2011 Ina Caro (P)2013 Audible, Inc.Listeners also enjoyed...




















Critic reviews
Perhaps it’s because I am planning a trip to Paris for next spring and I am all ears when it comes to suggestions that I was so enamoured by this book, but I think anyone could benefit from the ideas presented.
You can be sure this book will be a resource for every trip to France I ever make! The entire thing was interesting, but I really perked up when it covered places I’d already visited (most of Paris, Versailles, Fontainebleau, Chartres and Rouen) or the parts that cover things I plan to see and do on my next trip (more of Paris, Tours and Lyon).
It was a great book, and excellent idea, and a lot of fun to read! Can’t wait to get over there and follow in her footsteps!
Day Trip From Paris?... Look No Further!
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Paris to the Past is wonderful! The reader is not so good
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Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?
Yes, I thought this book was so well done. It's done in chronological order and follows the same families throughout history while you also get general history about the town and castles she is visiting.What did you like best about this story?
All the fun facts about the royal families she talks about.Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?
It made me laugh at times, but mostly it just made me happy. Every time I listened to it, it was like I was traveling through time with the author and traveling to France.Any additional comments?
Great read, I really enjoyed it!Great listen!
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Great book
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Would you listen to Paris to the Past again? Why?
I liked it so much that I bought the book. I've been to France without understanding the history. Now I am going back and this book has given me a great deal of insightloved it
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The problem is that some first time travelers to France will pick this up thinking it's a travel guide for Paris. It is not, it's a dense history book, and Paris isn't really the focus until part 4. Furthermore, it reinforces some old school stereotypes that the only people who visit France are wealthy, fussy, and pretentious white people. A Paris newbie or maybe someone not interested in this quantity of french history would be much better off with a book like 'Paris, Paris' by David Downie.
That being said it's the product of a massive amount of meticulous research, it's just rendered pretty dry. It's similar to 'The Discovery of France' by Graham Robb, which I also had reservations about.
Recommended with Caveats
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Wonderful stories of incredible people & places
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One of the two best books on France I know
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I download it every time I go to France
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Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?
I love the history but am really quite uninterested in where the picnics happened, or which restaurants were eaten in. In this respect, I found the juxtaposition of personal preference for one diner over another very distracting. However, I used the historical information to plan a number of day trips when I was staying in Paris. I feel there should be two editions and I would prefer the abridged one with the non historical detail taken out.Would you be willing to try another book from Ina Caro? Why or why not?
Also purchased Roads to the Past (hard copy) and used it as the basis for exploring the LoireWhat aspect of Christa Lewis’s performance would you have changed?
Some of her French pronunciation was difficultDid Paris to the Past inspire you to do anything?
Visited a number of the places after listening - including Chartres and Vincennes, and are planning quite a number of others in our next tripHistory comes to life
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