In the third century BC, the center of civilization was Rome in Italy. Paris was merely a small fishing village, occupied by a tribe of fishermen known as the Parisii on the small island of Île de la Cité in the Seine. The embankments on the island were its first walls, and the Seine its first moat. For several centuries, it remained confined to the shape of that island, until Caesar led his troops there and shattered the Parisii's peaceful life.
Amid the flames, the Roman legions fought a desperate battle against the fiercely resisting Parisii, until they wiped out the last Gaul who sought independence. From then on, the Romans gradually built a new fortified settlement on Île de la Cité and expanded the city to the left bank of the Seine.
Later, in the fifth century AD, Attila came to the "Rome of Gaul." Rather than besieging the city as Caesar had attacked it, he chose to surround it. In the end, the Turks abandoned their assault and turned to attack New Orleans instead.
Another two or three centuries passed, and the Vikings appeared. These pirates from Northern Europe would sail their small boats along the Seine and land on Île de la Cité.
They would destroy the bridges linking the island to the mainland and plunder the residents along the banks. Charles the Bald could no longer endure their harassment and decided to further strengthen the defenses along the Seine. He built a solid tower on the right bank, then constructed a small bridge on the left bank, along with a tower made of brick and stone beside it. A moat was dug around it to protect the bridge.
Thus, two towers rose along the banks of the Seine like the gates of Paris, ever ready to