Actually France did sort of parallel the same American dates after Napoleon III and the Second Empire( which was earmarked by an overambitious rebuilding campaign) suffered at the hands of the Prussians and the burning of the Tuileries, the events of 1870 ushered in the Third Republic and its elected president, Marshal Marie Edme Patrice Maurice de MacMahon (1808-93), in 1873.
Under the Third Republic, peace and prosperity gradually returned, and Paris regained its glamour and world prestige. Universal expositions held in 1878, 1889, 1900, and 1937 encouraged the construction of monuments such as the Trocadero, the Palais de Chaillot, the Tour Eiffel, the Grand Palais and the Petit Palais, and the church Sacré Coeur. The subway system(the Metro) was constructed, providing a model for subway systems throughout Europe. Titanic victim Frank Millet exhibited some of his canvases at these Paris expositions. Look for more info under "Third Republic of France". You can read Mark Twain's "The Gilded Age " online, and here is a great link for Gilded Age couturier, Worth-with fabulous photos. Worth was probably the most esteemed establishment for Gilded Age ladies of means. You may want to focus in on one aspect of the Gilded Age as the topic is so vast in its scope in so many areas.
The complete works of mark twain, searchable format. Also contains a biography and quotes by Mark Twain
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