The turn of the 20th century was a golden era in France. It was an age of peace prosperity
and progress after a series of bruising wars and turmoil within the French Republic
culminating in the Franco-Prussian War which had ended in 1871. From the ruins of conflict
the Belle Époque brought joie de vivre flourish a boom in art design industry technology
gastronomy education travel entertainment and nightlife. Through some 800 vintage
photographs postcards posters and photochromes from the extensive archives of Marc Walter
and Photovintagefrance France 1900 follows up on TASCHEN's best-selling vintage photographic
collections Italy 1900 The Grand Tour Germany 1900 and America 1900 to provide a precious
record of France in all its turn-of-the-century glory. With the photochrome technique used in
many of the images restoring the past to vivid color we enjoy a bristling close bittersweet
encounter with this hopeful age: the brave stony splendor of the Mont Saint-Michel the icy
peaks of Chamonix and the honey light of the Côte d'Azur. With an introduction six
essays and detailed commentary by Sabine Arqué exploring the stories behind the pictures this
is an unrivalled portrait of a nation on the cusp of the century and of its poignant exuberance
before the paroxysm of the First World War. While paying tribute to the precious Belle Époque
crushed by the traumas of history it also celebrates the unwavering allure of La Belle France
its beauty culture traditions and legendary romance.
