Rare Color Photography of Early 20th Century Paris

There is something so curious about seeing images of the early 1900s in color– it makes the era feel more tangible. When we initially saw these photographs of turn of the century Paris on Curious Eggs, we were struck by the fact that, somewhere in the back of our heads, we seemed to think that the people of the time moved through a hazy world of sepia. We don’t think that the addition of color necessarily detracts from my romantic illusions (or delusions), but it certainly makes the era feel more “real.” It’s almost like we could hop in a zeppelin and visit, which, to be honest, is all we’ve ever really wanted.

Below you will see a selection of favorites, though everything in this gallery, it seems, is historically rich, engaging, and just plain beautiful. Be sure to check out the original source, Paris1914, for more visual delectation.