ABSTRACT
Its importance comes less from its favourable geographical position than from its history. The French kings elevated Paris from being one provincial centre among many to the unrivalled capital of all France. The Revolution confirmed this; the actions of the Paris population determined the course of events and the fate of governments, and the centralization of the government and administration of the country under Napoleon broke the remains of the proud autonomy of the great provincial cities, to the benefit of Paris alone. Today the control of Paris means the control of France, and its political and social significance make it a target for all those hostile to France and to her government.
