Left: the reconstruction of the Vendome column, in the Place Vendome. This was originally built during Napoleon's reign (1806-10) and was destroyed by members of the Paris commune in 1871, in anger at the French defeat by the Prussians and the Treaty of Versailles. Today this Right Bank square is very much the high rent district. When I visited it several years ago the Place was also home to several large Picasso sculptures. This monument is located in the 1st arrondissement.

Above: Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Monet painting in his garden at Argenteuil

Jules Verne published Around the World in 80 Days. (AF - a different source dates this in 1872.)

Monet paints Le Pont d'Argenteuil. (CHF)

Emile Zola publishes Le Ventre de Paris.

More broadly:

Amedee Bollee builds the first steam powered bus. Image is from Almanach Francais.

Napoleon III dies at Chislehurst. ((AF)

An agricultural depression starts, which lasts more than 20 years. (CHF)

A Republic is proclaimed in Spain. (CHF)

France gets its first mountain top meteorological station, located in the Midi (central France). (AF)