Paris in the Middle Ages Paris in the Middle Ages In the 10th century, Paris was a provincial cathedral city of little political or economic significance, but under the kings of the Capetian dynasty who ruled France between 987 and 1328, it developed into an important commercial and religious center and the seat of the royal administration of the country. The Île de la Cité became the site of the royal palace and the new cathedral of Notre-Dame, begun in 1163. The Left Bank was occupied by important monasteries, including the Abbey of Saint-Germain-des-Prés and the Abbey of St Genevieve. In the late 1100s, the
Paris in the 17th century title, "Nouvelles ordinaries de divers androids". In the same year the prominent Parisian doctor and philanthropist, Théophraste Renaudot, launched a weekly newspaper, "La Gazette". Renaudot had good connections with Cardinal Richelieu, and his new paper was given royal patronage; "La Gazette" took over the earlier newspaper, and also became the first to have advertising. Later, in 1762, under the name "Gazette de France", it became the official newspaper of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In 1665, a new weekly, "Le Journal des savants" appeared, followed in 1672 by "Le Mercure Galant". which in 1724 became the "Mercure de France". The