Paris is the last part of the trilogy Three Cities and was first published in 1898. The main character of the series is the Abbé Pierre Froment, a priest who no longer retains his faith. From the very beginning, Zola makes us sympathize with Froment's predicament, and at the same time, lets us know right from the start that he will end up leaving the church. Paris is the conclusion of Pierre's struggle with his faith.