France 1900

The beginning of the 20th century brought France a time of prosperity. Following a series of unrest and uprisings in the Republic, culminating in the Franco-Prussian War of 1871, the country experienced an era of peace, wealth, and progress. From the ruins of conflict emerged the Belle Époque, bestowing the quintessential French joie de vivre while simultaneously igniting a boom in art, design, industry, technology, gastronomy, education, travel, entertainment, and, not least, nightlife.

With around 800 photochromes, historical photographs, postcards, and posters from the extensive archives of Marc Walter and Photovintagefrance, France around 1900 connects to TASCHEN's successful volumes Italy around 1900, The Grand Tour, Germany around 1900, and An American Odyssey. Utilizing the photochrom technique for most images, which brings the past to life in vibrant colors, this volume showcases France in all its turn-of-the-century splendor. From the bustling activity on the Parisian boulevards to the beach holidays on the Côte d'Azur, the Belle Époque shines as a time of joy and optimism. An introduction, six essays, and many detailed image commentaries by Sabine Arqué delve into the stories behind the images from this often idealized period of upheaval and transformation. The enduring allure of La Belle France, with its beauty, culture, tradition, and legendary romance, remains to this day.