Today we know Paris as a beautiful city, rich in history, art, architecture and culture. It is the center of French life, as it has been throughout much of its history. The Romans recognized the strategic location of Lutetia and built a settlement at this important river crossing. Being on the Seine, it is connected  to both the Burgundian interior of the country and the English Channel. Given its strategic location, both militarily and culturally, it is not a surprise that it has been sought after and fought over during the millennia. It has not only faced external threat, but has aslo been wracked by internal conflict. These pages take a walk through history, looking at several of the violent instances in the history of the city, and their contemporary coinage.