Paris is the capital and most populous city of France, with an area of more than 105 km² (41 sq mi). Since the 17th century, it has been one of the world’s major centers of finance, diplomacy, commerce, fashion, gastronomy, science, and arts, and has sometimes been referred to as the capital of the world. The City of Paris is the centre and seat of government of the region and province of Île-de-France, or Paris Region.

Traffic on Avenue des Champs-Élysées, Paris, on a bleak day around 1925. The photo was taken from inside a moving car, driving towards Place de l’Étoile, the Arc de Triomphe in its centre

A fellow in a suit and hat waiting to cross a busy Paris street. The location is the corner of Boulevard Saint-Michel and Rue Racine in the city’s 6th arrondissement. Both the Gibert book store and the Bouillon Racine restaurant are still in business today, circa 1928

Dozens of automobiles and four ancient Schneider motor busses can be seen in this busy city scene, taken in Paris on a hazy day in the 1920s. The words “Paris 1929, Place de la Concorde” are handwritten on reverse

Light traffic on Boulevard Saint-Michel, Paris, on a hazy winter’s day in the 1920s. The words “Chapelle de la Sorbonne et Place de la Sorbonne, Paris 1929” are handwritten on reverse

Two well-to-do Parisian ladies in fur-collared coats posing with their dogs and a 1930 Packard Standard Eight Convertible Coupe. The following words in French are handwritten on the print: “Paris. Bois (de Boulogne). 25 Nov. 34 Deliniere (probably a family name). Chiens (dogs)”

A schoolgirl with braided pigtails posing in front of the family car and the Eiffel Tower. The lady at the wheel of the Opel 6 is most probably her mother. The following words in German are handwritten on reverse: “Eiffelturm – Juni 1936” (Eiffel Tower – June 1936). So these people are tourists from Germany, who have driven all the way to Paris in their 38 horsepower car

Heavy traffic on Avenue de l’Opéra, Paris, in the city’s 9th arrondissement. The photograph is dated “30 août 1937” (August 30, 1937) on reverse

Traffic in the city of Paris in the mid-1930s. The location is Rue Royale facing towards the church of Sainte-Marie-Madeleine in the city’s 8th arrondissement. The car in the foreground is a Peugeot 402

A dapper fellow in a rain coat posing on Avenue des Champs-Élysées, Paris, on a bleak day in the 1950s. The photo was taken towards Place de l’Étoile, with Arc de Triomphe in its centre

Light traffic on Avenue des Champs-Élysées, Paris, on a bleak day in the 1950s. The photo was taken towards Place de l’Étoile, with Arc de Triomphe in its centre

Night-time traffic on Avenue des Champs-Élysées, Paris, in the 1950s. Illuminated shop windows and cafés, and the shape of Arc de Triomphe in the distance are visible in this wonderful vintage long-exposure shot

Traffic on Place de l’Opéra, Paris, on an overcast day in the 1950s. Two Citroën Traction Avant and a Peugeot 203 can be seen in front of Paris’ famous Opéra Garnier in the city’s 9th arrondissement

A young lady in a female suit posing with a Bristol 401 beneath the Eiffel Tower. The École Militaire and Champ de Mars are visible in the background, circa 1952

A Jaguar Mk VII, a Citroën Traction Avant, a Simca Aronde, and a T-Series MG can be seen in a cobbled street near the Eiffel Tower. The photo was taken by German tourists visiting Paris in the 1950s. The words displayed on the pedestrian stoplight are translated on reverse: “attendez piétons – Fußgänger warten”

A holiday shot from the 1950s showing an Austrian-registered Fiat in Paris. An enthusiastic lady can be seen peeking out of the car’s passenger-side window. One of the city’s most popular landmarks – the Eiffel Tower – is visible in the distance

Paris traffic in the 1950s. A Citroën 2 CV, a Simca Aronde, and an Isobloc bus can be seen on Boulevard de Clichy, in the city’s 18th arrondissement. The film “Don Juan” starring Fernandel is showing at the Moulin Rouge cinema. This photo was presumably taken by tourists from Germany on a visit to Paris

Traffic on Boulevard de Clichy, Paris, on a bleak day in the mid-1950s. At least four Renault 4 CVs, a Citroën 11 CV, a Citroën 2 CV, a Peugeot 403, and a removal van can be seen in the street in front of the Moulin Rouge cabaret in the city’s 18th arrondissement. The print is stamped “Foto Glaser, Pforzheim” on reverse, so the photo was apparently taken by German tourists on a visit to Paris

Traffic on Place de l’Opéra, Paris around 1958. A Peugeot 403, a Jaguar Mk VII, a Citroën DS, and a Renault Dauphine can be seen accelerating in front of Café de la Paix in the city’s 9th arrondissement

A dark-haired lady in a patterned dress posing on the bonnet of a German-built Ford Taunus 17 M De Luxe. The photograph was taken by German tourists in France, as the words “Paris, April 1960” – handwritten on reverse

Café de la Paix on Place de l’Opéra, Paris, on a sunny winter’s day in 1960. The print is stamped “Foto Binder, Stuttgart” and dated “13.02.60” on reverse, so the photo was apparently taken by German tourists on a visit to Paris

Traffic on Avenue des Champs-Élysées, Paris, on a bleak winter’s day in 1960. The Arc de Triomphe is visible in the distance. The print is stamped “Foto Binder, Stuttgart” and dated “13.02.60” on reverse, so the photo was

Two cheerful ladies posing at Esplanade du Trocadéro with the Eiffel Tower visible in the background, circa 1960s

An elegant lady posing in a chair in Champ de Mars, with the Eiffel Tower visible in the background. There is some handwriting in Italian on the reverse side, so the photo was presumably taken by Italian holidaymakers on a visit to Paris, 1961

A stylish pedestrian couple, a Peugeot 404, and a Citroën DS can be seen on Boulevard de Clichy, Paris, in the city’s 18th arrondissement. The film “Major Dundee” starring Charlton Heston is showing at the Moulin Rouge cinema. This photo was presumably taken by German tourists on a visit to Paris, circa 1965