Fact File – Paris, France

In the center of French cities, the basic street pattern has changed very little since the Middle Ages, when towns grew up around a castle (un château) or a church with houses crowded around in narrow winding streets within defensive walls. Although the walls have come down and the towns have expanded, you still find a central square (une place) with its château or church.

Source: Bragger, D. Jeannette and Donald B. Rice. Allons-y! Le Français par Etapes. 6th ed. p. 97. Boston : Thomson Heinle.