The Journal de Paris (1777–1840) was the first daily French newspaper.[1][2]

Journal de Paris
Page of Journal de Paris, 16 April 1784
TypeDaily newspaper
Founded1 January 1777
LanguageFrench
Ceased publication17 May 1840
HeadquartersParis, France

The paper was founded by Antoine-Alexis Cadet de Vaux, Jean Romilly, Olivier de Corancez, and Louis d'Ussieux, in 1777, following the model of the London Evening Post. The four-page daily paper eschewed politics in favor of popular culture, the weather, and other light-hearted culture, which made it the subject of jesting in its day. Nevertheless, the model proved popular. In 1784, the paper famously published an anonymous satirical letter by Benjamin Franklin encouraging Parisians to rise earlier in the day, which has been credited (though an overreach) with promoting the concept of daylight saving time.[3]

The paper did increase its coverage of politics as dictated by French events, and was publishing a supplement in 1789 covering the National Assembly. The paper was shut down after the Insurrection of 10 August 1792 for 50 days. With the support of Napoleon, the paper expanded its format and scope in 1811. Though it never recovered its former glory, its most well-known later writer was Henri Fonfrède.[4][5][6][7]

References

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  1. ^ (7 October 2014). The first French daily: Journal de Paris, History of Journalism
  2. ^ Andrews, Elizabeth. Between Auteurs and Abonnés: Reading the Journal de Paris, 1787–1789, Journal of the Western Society for French History, Vol. 37 (2009)
  3. ^ Did Ben Franklin Invent Daylight Saving Time?, The Franklin Institute (Retrieved 7 June 2018)
  4. ^ The American Cyclopædia: A Popular Dictionary of General Knowledge, Volume 3, p. 536 (1881)
  5. ^ Dictionnaire universel des litteratures, entry for Paris (Journal de), p. 1537 (1876) (in French)
  6. ^ Sgard, Jean. Dictionnaire des journaux (1992 and online)(in French)
  7. ^ (February 1838). The Newspaper Press of Paris, Fraser's Magazine, pp. 209-10
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