This publication traces the history of an idea, that of the right to the city. Through an epistemological lens, there will be listed the various scientific and philosophical influences that contributed to the emergence of this right, initially claimed by Henri Lefebvre. Afterwards, the article will highlight some important stages in the international dissemination of this idea and the various changes that occurred simultaneously in the way of thinking it. Because although the suggestion of a right to the city first appeared in France at the end of the 1960’s, it is only after travelling through other societies, in particular the Brazilian one, that the idea get a world recognition. Today, the international bodies appear to be indeed very interested in the affirmation of such a right.