Metrostop Paris: History from the City’s Heart
This is basically a literary walk around Paris, except that since it ranges over the whole metropolis the imaginary journey takes place by Metro. Dallas takes us to 12 Metro stations, at each of which he tells us some anecdotes about the quartier, usually centring upon a particular character associated with it. They include literary figures such as Sartre, Zola and Wilde, but also a musician (Debussy), a sculptor (Bourdelle) and various others from St Vincent de Paul to Alfred Dreyfus.
Each chapter is long enough to say something informative and interesting, but the book is essentially an entertainment rather than serious history. If you know Paris well or hope to know it better you will find Metrostop Paris an elegant and delightful companion.