Occupation of Paris 1940-1944
The Occupation and Liberation of Paris, 1940-1944
50€/person (minimum 2 persons)
Amid disarray and chaos, the German army entered Paris on 14 June 1940 and ruled the city until the end of August 1944. Between grand and small history, this walking tour takes you to the main buildings where the German occupiers settled, from the 9th arrondissement to the Opéra, the rue de Rivoli and the Place de la Concorde.
A rare opportunity to understand several sites, some of them famous, in the light of the past, with numerous photos and anecdotes shedding light on the darkest period in French history: daily life under the Occupation, the fate of the Jews, economic Collaboration, the Resistance and finally the Liberation of Paris in August 1944.
Tour in English. For a tour in French, contact us!
Meeting point
6 Boulevard Haussmann, 75009 Paris
- Back to some dramatic anecdotes and daily life under the Occupation.
- Testimonies on the intense artistic life under the Occupation: stars, music halls, cinemas…
- The passages have kept the atmosphere and decorations one could find under the Occupation. Opposite, the building housed a brothel requisitioned by the German army.
- During the Occupation, a considerable number of simple objects and works of art were sold at Drouot. An opportunity to explain the spoliation of Jewish property and the incredible story of a German art dealer working for the Reich.
- The town hall is an opportunity to approach the Resistance, through an employee of the town hall, but also to address denunciation and ordinary resistance in France during the war.
- This stop addresses the role of banks under the Occupation. Just before, we discuss the surprising situation on the Paris stock exchange, the armistice agreements between France and Germany and the economic and political situation that resulted from them.
- Example of a cinema requisitioned for German soldiers. Nearby, another building became famous for hosting one of the most important exhibitions in Paris, organised by propaganda promoting anti-Semitism.
- The Place de l’Opéra is highly symbolic of the Occupation of Paris. The Kommandantur was there, and the Café de la Paix as well as the Opéra are rich in anecdotes from this period.
- After discussing the fate of the jewellery stores on rue de la Paix, the Place Vendôme is an opportunity to talk about the Ministry of Justice occupied by the German army, one of the very first Resistance networks established just opposite, and above all the Ritz hotel, a high place of Collaboration frequented by many celebrities.
- Most of the grand hotels housed the headquarters of the German army. Behind the Hôtel Meurice, we look at the main characters linked to these places and the battles of the Liberation which ended here.
- The Place de la Concorde still shows traces of the battles of the Liberation. The memorial plaques are dedicated to the soldiers, resistance fighters and ordinary civilians who took part in them. On the terrace, photos of the square and its surroundings help to better understand the period and the role played by several famous figures.
Practical information
- Duration: 2 hours 15 minutes
- Walking tour, easy difficulty
- Minimum age of participants: 15
- Live tour guide: English
- Booking up to 1 hour before the start
What’s included?
- All buildings visited are free to access
Please note
- Wheelchair accessible
- Stroller / pram accessible
- Animals or pets allowed
- Public transportation nearby
- Infants must not sit on laps, infant seats unavailable
Cancellation policy
- Free cancellation more than 24 hours before the tour
- 100% of the price is charged if the booking is cancelled 1 day or less before the tour
