 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.