20 vintage photos show what life was like in Paris 100 years ago

Frank OlitoOct 7, 2020, 20:56 IST

Paris looked quite different a century ago.Boyer / Getty

Nearly a century ago, Paris was largely similar to the city we know today, but vintage photos also show some stark differences.
In the 1920s, landmarks like the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe, the Louvre, and the Champs-Elysées were all just as popular as they are today.
However, photos from 100 years ago show the differences in style, from cars to fashion.

Paris has long been known as the City of Lights and the City of Love, but the metropolis hasn't always looked the same.

In the 1920s, Paris was, of course, known for its landmarks like the Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe, but the fashion, cars, and activities that filled the Parisian streets looked very different than what we are used to today.

Here are 20 photos that will take you back to the streets of Paris nearly a century ago.

An aerial shot of Paris shows a city that has been structurally unchanged over the course of 100 years.

Paris in 1920. Hulton Archive / Getty

The Eiffel Tower stood proudly over the city, but the streets looked different back then.

The Eiffel Tower. Keystone-France / Getty

People still visited the Arc de Triomphe to look out on the City of Lights.

Arc de Triomphe. Keystone-France / Getty

The Notre Dame Cathedral has always been an important landmark in the Paris skyline.

Notre Dame de Paris in 1920. Herbert Felton / Getty

Located in the center of the city, the Louvre courtyard has long been a place to congregate and feed the birds.

Louvre Museum. Keystone-France / Getty

Considered one of the most famous avenues in the world, Champs-Elysées was also popular in 1920.

Champs-Elysées. General Photographic Agency / Getty

Even 100 years ago, the streets were often filled with traffic.

The Rue Royale. Bettmann / Getty

The streets of the metropolis got even busier when crowds walked through.

A busy street. Keystone-France / Getty

These major attractions and streets were also filled with performers and street vendors.

Street vendor. Keystone-France / Getty

Sipping a cup of coffee at a cafe has always been quintessential Parisian culture.

The cafe society. Bettmann / Getty

The cafes would spill out onto the streets to accommodate customers.

Cafe society. Hulton Archive / Getty

On Bastille Day, these cafes got extremely crowded.

Celebration for Bastille Day. Keystone-France / Getty

People loved dancing in the streets for Bastille Day back in the 1920s.

Dancing on Bastille Day in the '20s. Keystone-France / Getty

Public pools were also a popular way to let out some steam a century ago.

Paris public pool. Keystone-France / Getty

The children had their fun, too, often turning to makeshift playgrounds.

Children in Paris in 1920. Keystone-France / Getty

Children also played in large sandboxes 100 years ago.

Children in Paris in 1920. Keystone-France / Getty

It was also common for children to play with boats in the fountain of the Jardin des Tuileries.

Jardin des Tuileries. Keystone-France / Getty

When not dancing or playing, many Parisians enjoyed shopping at famous department stores.

Les Galeries Lafayette in the '20s. Keystone-France / Getty

At the stores, the residents of Paris bought fashionable attire.

Men and women fashion in 1920s Paris. Seeberger Freres / Getty

Parisians would wear their fancy attire to garden parties across the city.

Women at a garden party in 1920s. Hulton Deutsch / Getty

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