Roads through the ages

ROADS THROUGH THE AGES
A BRIEF HISTORY
by Jean BILLARD

Translation : Géraldine BUISSON
Revision : Sylvie PROESCHEL & Dennis J. LUSBY

We take roads for granted. Their importance only appears to us when they are missing, whether they are actually missing to reach a place (an exotic region, a mountain, a monument…), which is then considered as out of reach; or whether they are momentarily cut off (by a natural disaster, a strike, protest roadblocks).

And yet there was a time when these thoroughfares didn’t exist.

This text aims at showing their genesis.

• Introduction
• The birth of roads
• The first road networks
• During the Middle Ages
• The Renaissance: a renewal of roads
• The 18th century
• From the French Revolution to the end of the Empire
• The 19th century
• The 20th Century, to the end of World War II
• Since World War II
• Conclusion