Photo : DR
Book launch: "It Was Paris in 1970"
Step back into the streets of 1970 Paris through a rare collection of photographs that capture the capital on the brink of a major transformation. Join the curators and guest speakers for an intimate look at the moments and faces that defined an era of rapid change.
About
Step back in time to the French capital with the book launch of "C'était Paris en 1970," hosted by the Historical Library in collaboration with Tallandier editions. This event, which extends the themes of the homonymous exhibition, features a curated selection of amateur photographs documenting the city on the cusp of major urban development. Join the conversation on Thursday, October 15, 2026, from 19:00 to 20:30. Attendance is free, though reservation is required. This encounter is open to anyone aged 15 and over, offering a unique opportunity to explore historical Paris alongside Antoine de Caunes.
The historical library, in partnership with Tallandier editions, is organizing the launch event for the book "It Was Paris in 1970," which extends the exhibition of the same name. Featuring Antoine de Caunes, exhibition curator Juliette Eyméoud, and amateur photographers who participated in the 1970 contest.
In the spring of 1970, the Paris city hall organized a major amateur photography contest. Over two months, nearly 3,000 participants roamed the city to photograph it. Streets, storefronts, parks, and monuments—everything was a pretext for a snapshot. For the organizers, these photos were intended to preserve a record of Paris just before everything changed.
Because in 1970, the capital was undergoing major urban and architectural transformations: the construction site of the Montparnasse Tower, the demolition of Les Halles, the construction of the Centre Georges-Pompidou and the Paris ring road, the development of RER lines...
Antoine de Caunes has selected the most beautiful photographs and takes us with him into those years: the protests, boys with long hair, lovers on public benches, building caretakers and bistro regulars, rockers, and lily-of-the-valley sellers... A concentrate of Paris and France in the 1970s for a guaranteed nostalgic journey!
Copies of the book will be on sale after the meeting.
Our take on this event
The Historical Library and Tallandier editions are hosting a special evening to launch the book "C'était Paris en 1970." This event continues the narrative of the recent exhibition, highlighting a 1970 photography competition where nearly 3,000 residents captured the city's streets and monuments just as major projects like the Montparnasse tower and the Les Halles redevelopment were about to reshape the skyline.
Taking place on Thursday, October 15, 2026, from 19:00 to 20:30, the launch features a discussion with Antoine de Caunes, exhibition curator Juliette Eyméoud, and several original photographers from the 1970 contest. Together, they will revisit the era's vibrant daily life, from street scenes and café culture to the changing social fabric of the time.
The event is free to attend, but registration is required. Participation is recommended for those aged 15 and older. Attendees will also have the opportunity to purchase copies of the book at the end of the session.
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