It is during the time period of the Middle Ages in which Paris transformed from a small provincial city 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. In the late 1100s, the collection of colleges on the Left Bank became one of the first and leading universities in Europe, while the Right Bank, where ports, central markets, artisans and merchants were located, became the commercial center of the city. Paris became a center for the creation of illuminated manuscripts and the birthplace of Gothic architecture. Despite civil wars, the plague, and foreign occupation, Paris became the most populous city in the Western world during the Medieval time period. This two-part lecture will focus on the development of art and architecture of the Middle Ages as centered and still visible in Paris.

Katherine E. Zoraster is an Art Historian and a Professor of Art History at several local colleges specializing in Western art from the Renaissance to the 20th century.

The Fifty and Better (FAB) program was designed for people ages 50 and older, seeking intellectual stimulation through university-level courses — without the pressure of grades — for the sake of learning and social engagement.