Let's be clear from the start: this isn't a story with a hero and a villain. Paris as It Was and as It Is is a guidebook, but it's one written on the edge of history. Francis William Blagdon, an English writer, found himself in Paris during a rare 14-month peace in 1802-1803. His book is his attempt to capture the city exactly as he found it.

The Story

Think of it as the ultimate trip report. Blagdon organizes his experience into a detailed tour. He takes you to the Palais-Royal, the bustling heart of social life, describing the shops, cafes, and... less respectable entertainments. He explains how to get a passport, where to find a good meal, and how much a cab ride costs. He visits the newly opened Louvre (called the Musée Napoleon), marvels at the scientific displays at the National Institute, and even reports on the state of the sewers. He writes about everything from grand monuments to the price of bread, creating a full-color picture of daily life. The 'plot' is simply his journey of observation, and the looming 'conflict' is the unspoken question on every page: how long will this peace last?

Why You Should Read It

What makes this old guide so gripping is its perspective. Blagdon isn't a historian looking back; he's a man reporting from the front lines of the present. You feel his curiosity and sometimes his disapproval (he's not a fan of French theater, finding it too loud). Reading his lists and descriptions, you get the intimate, ground-level details most history books skip. You learn what people wore, what they argued about in cafes, and how the city was rebuilding after the Revolution's chaos. It’s the difference between reading a biography of Napoleon and hearing the gossip about him from a table next door. Blagdon’s voice is opinionated, practical, and wonderfully immediate.

Final Verdict

This book is perfect for history lovers who want to get their hands dirty in the everyday stuff of the past. It's for travelers to Paris who want to peel back centuries from their favorite arrondissements. If you enjoy primary sources—the raw, unfiltered accounts from people who were actually there—you'll be fascinated. It’s not a fast-paced narrative, but a slow, immersive stroll. Just be prepared: after reading Blagdon's account, modern Paris might feel layered with ghosts. You'll never walk past the Palais-Royal the same way again.