L'illustration journal hebdomadaire universal prix du numero 4 fr.

L'illustration journal hebdomadaire universal prix du numero 4 fr. - Gaston Sorbets (red.)

L'Illustration was a weekly French newspaper published in Paris from 1843 to 1944.[1] It was founded by Édouard Charton and the first issue was published on March 4, 1843.

In 1891, L'Illustration became the first French newspaper to publish a photograph. Many of these photographs came from syndicated photo-press agencies like Chusseau-Flaviens, but the publication also employed its own photographers such as Léon Gimpel and others. In 1907, L'Illustration was the first to publish a color photograph. It also published Gaston Leroux' novel Le mystère de la chambre jaune as a serial a year before its 1908 release.

Its editor-in-chief was Gaston Sorbets from 1923 onwards.[2] Gustave Babin published much of his work in L'Illustration.

During the Second World War, while it was owned by the Baschet family, L'Illustration supported Marshal Philippe Pétain's Révolution nationale.[2] However, it turned down pro-German articles by Jacques Bouly de Lesdain.[2]However, Lesdain later became its political editor.[3][4]

The magazine was shut down in 1944 following the Liberation of Paris.[5] Another version re-opened in 1945 under the name France-Illustration, but went bankrupt in 1957.