Early 20th Century Paris In Amazing Color

By All That's Interesting | Edited By Savannah Cox

Published September 28, 2013

Updated February 9, 2018

Before the days of Photoshop, Instagram filters and instant home-editing software, there was little that could be done to adequately convey the energy, mood and spirit of a moment captured in time to its viewer.

Enter the Lumiere brothers in 1903 and their invention of autochrome technology (a composite of black and white emulsion passed through a series of red, blue and green filters), and you’re that much closer to showcasing the depth and dimension of subjects immortalized by film.

While the Lumiere brothers’ innovative method was abandoned in 1935 in favor of Kodachrome technology, they present a dreamy, serene and richly-saturated narrative on early 20th century Paris and its stunning architecture, including the Eiffel Tower:

Early 20th Century Paris l'Ecole Polytechnique

Early 20th Century Paris Pont de la Concorde

Early 20th Century Paris Angle Boulevard

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Invalides, 1918.

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Invalides, 1909.

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53 rue Cambon, 1918.

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Vendeuses de Moules, 1920.

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Porte de Saint Cloud, 1920.

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Rue de la Roquette, 1918.

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Rue Rambuteau, 1914.

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Rue du Pot de Fer, 1914.

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Pont Alexandre III, 1914.

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Rue de l'Ecole Polytechnique, 1914.

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Notre Dame, 1920.

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Boulevard Exelmans, 1920.

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Madeleine, 1914.

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The Seine, 1914.

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Jardins du Trocadéro, 1920.

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Hôtel de Ville, 1918.

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Pont de la Concorde, 1914.

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Pathé Gobelins, 1918.

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Trocadéro, 1937.

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The Eiffel Tower, 1912.

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Avenue Hoche, 1924.

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Angle Boulevard Raspail, 1914.

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All images come courtesy of Paris 1914, which seeks to restore these rare photos to their original glory.

author

Established in 2010, All That's Interesting brings together a dedicated staff of digital publishing veterans and subject-level experts in history, true crime, and science. From the lesser-known byways of human history to the uncharted corners of the world, we seek out stories that bring our past, present, and future to life. Privately-owned since its founding, All That's Interesting maintains a commitment to unbiased reporting while taking great care in fact-checking and research to ensure that we meet the highest standards of accuracy.

editor

Savannah Cox holds a Master's in International Affairs from The New School as well as a PhD from the University of California, Berkeley, and now serves as an Assistant Professor at the University of Sheffield. Her work as a writer has also appeared on DNAinfo.