In the summer of 1201, King John of England visited Paris. His visit is described for us by Rigord, the biographer of Philip Augustus:

Robert of Auxerre describes the same event in less elaborate terms:

There are already points of emphasis here: Paris as a place of solemn procession, of learning and liberality, of wine and song; Paris as a place of abundance, where all visitors to the French king's court were entertained luxuriously and free of charge. Already we find Paris itself personified as a symbol of la douce France, of all things civilized and sophisticated. Parisian accents are themselves more urbane than those of Rouen or Poitiers. By Parisian standards all else will be judged. The kings ruling from Paris claimed a dignity, a liberality, and a command over both religion and learning, that set them apart from any mere king of England. In all of this, there was much striving after what was intended to appear effortless superiority. Louis VII is said to have vouchsafed to Walter Map that, where the King of England might boast of wealth and power: ‘We in France have nothing, save bread and wine and joy’. But such simplicity was itself as sophisticated and hard-earned as the rustic antics of the court of Marie-Antoinette.