Tag: History

Heritage tourism in Alsace, part I

Post author By Alister
Post date June 7, 2017

Alsace is a famous region of Eastern France, having been a buffer between France and Germany for several centuries. As such, the region has a lot to offer about historical tourism. Interested in medieval architecture? Alsace abounds castles and old towns. Interested in World War One? Like during the previous war of 1870, France and Germany fought for almost every square kilometer of the land. Interested in the Second World War? It was the theater of bitter fighting between the Allies and Nazi Germany. But Alsace is also famous for its wine and vineyards, for its urban architecture, its vernacular languages, its cultural identity(ies) and its storks.

In May 2017, six history students made a trip to Alsace, visiting towns, castles and old battlefields. Here is a glimpse of what they visited.

Tags alsace, Colmar, France, History, tourism, WW2

History

XVIIIth and XIXth centuries in France part II

Post author By Alister
Post date January 24, 2015

LOUIS XVI AND THE BEGINNING OF THE REVOLUTION

The next monarch of France was the grandson of Louis XV, Louis XVI. He had two older brothers who died young and before their grandfather. Louis XVI was not born to rule but had to accept his fate.

Tags France, History, louis xvi, revolution

General History

XVIIIth and XIXth centuries in France part I : The twilight of the Sun King and Louis XV

Post author By Alister
Post date January 22, 2015

The XVIIIth and XIXth centuries in French history are often very confusing for foreigners. Revolutions, restorations, changes of governments and government types can be difficult to understand. This article will serve as reminder and time-line for those of who have a hard time distinguishing the various changes that occurred in France in these two centuries.

Tags France, History, Louis XIV, Louis XV, revolution

History

The Republican Calendar

One of the difficulties when studying French history and especially for the genealogists wishing to discover their French roots, is the change of calendar that occurred from the 22nd September 1792 until the 1st January 1806.

Straight after of the storming of the Bastille in July 1789 during the French Revolution, some people started to mention the year 1789 as the First year of Freedom ( l’an 1 ).

Tags History, revolution

History War

The Siege and Battle of Alésia

Post author By Alister
Post date May 5, 2013

The Siege and Battle of Alésia (52 BC)

Gaul (which approximately corresponds to today’s France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Switzerland , Italy and Germany) was mainly under the dominance of Rome. When the tribe of the Eburones (certainly living around the Dutch Limburg region) rebelled against Rome and annihilated the famous XIV Legion, a feeling of rebellion spread the pacified Gallic tribes.

Tags Alésia, History, Vercingetorix, War