Female Agency and Early Modern Urbanism

Queen Maria de’ Medici’s urban interventions during her regency (1610–17) fundamentally reshaped early modern Paris, particularly the Left Bank, through ambitious projects like the Luxembourg Palace and the Arcueil Aqueduct. These initiatives, analyzed using new archival evidence by Sara Galletti, formed a cohesive urban plan that redefined the city’s relationship with the Seine, expanded its boundaries beyond medieval limits, and set lasting developmental trajectories. The study highlights Maria de’ Medici’s role in transforming Parisian urbanism alongside broader royal and private sector efforts during the early 17th century.

Galletti, S. (2012). Female Agency and Early Modern Urbanism. Journal of the Society of Architectural Historians, 71(2), 186–203. https://doi.org/10.1525/jsah.2012.71.2.186