Impasse Briare, vue prise de la Cité Coquenard, 9ème arrondissement, Paris.

Île de la Cité is an island in the River Seine, once known as Lutetia, and is the oldest settlement in Paris, France. It is one of two natural islands in the river, the other being Île Saint-Louis. The island has a rich history that dates back to ancient times. It is believed to have been settled by the Parisii, a Celtic tribe, in the 3rd century BC. In 52 BC, the Romans conquered the island and established a city there, which they called Lutetia. The island was the site of several important events in French history, including the signing of the Edict of Nantes in 1598 and the French Revolution. Today, Île de la Cité is home to many famous landmarks, including the Notre Dame Cathedral and the Palais de Justice. Île de la Cité with sights such as the Pont Neuf, the Pont de l’Archevêché and Notre Dame cathedral, makes it the central crossroads of the city, which grew outwards from here. Ile de la Cité is the perfect place for a riverside picnic.

Charles Marville was a French photographer born in Paris on 17 July 1813. He began his career as an illustrator and lithographer before turning to photography in the 1850s. Marville quickly gained recognition for his images of Parisian architecture, streets and monuments, which he captured with a keen eye for detail and composition. In 1858, Marville was appointed official photographer of the City of Paris, charged with documenting the urban development and transformation of the city under the direction of Baron Haussmann. Over the next decade, Marville produced thousands of photographs documenting the demolition of old neighbourhoods and the construction of new boulevards, parks and public buildings. Marville's photographs are characterised by their technical precision and artistic sensibility. He used large-format cameras and meticulous printing techniques to create highly detailed images that captured the texture and character of the city. His work has been praised for its documentary value as well as its aesthetic appeal. Today, Marville is considered one of the most important photographers of 19th century France. His photographs are in the collections of major museums around the world, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, the Musée d'Orsay in Paris and the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.