It Was Paris in 1970

In 1970, the capital was undergoing a spectacular transformation, between nostalgia for the old districts and the emergence of a concrete modernity. The Historical Library of the City of Paris today unearths the gems from its iconographic collection to offer an intimate look at this pivotal era. Far from the clichés of professionals, it is amateur photographers who capture here the everyday life of the streets with a disarming sincerity. From the vanished café facades to the colossal construction sites that redesigned the city, these images testify to a unique atmosphere, made of saturated colors and silhouettes that are now iconic. This selection allows us to observe the urban metamorphosis from a human perspective, freezing scenes of everyday life before the digital age. A privileged encounter with a city in the midst of change, presented at the BHVP from June 1st to October 8th, 2026.