Paris Occupation History WWII 2 Hour Walking Tour
Description
Step into the streets of Paris and understand what it truly meant to live here during the occupation. This World War II walking tour gives you a clear mental map of occupied Paris, following a coherent route through the city center so you never feel lost—historically or geographically. As you walk, you won’t just hear stories. You will stand exactly where events unfolded and learn how these places functioned between 1940 and 1944. At each stop, you’ll discover how Parisians lived day to day, how German power was organized in the city, and how political control shaped everyday life. The focus is on precise locations and concrete facts, helping you understand why these places mattered—and still matter. To help you visualize the past, the tour uses rare archival photographs, many unfamiliar even to history enthusiasts. You will directly compare wartime images with today’s streets, giving you a much clearer and more lasting understanding of what Paris looked like under occupation.
Tour Options
Itinerary
The arrival of the Germans in the context of the outbreak of the Second World War and the first days of the occupation in Paris
During the occupation, Le Meurice served as the German strategic military headquarters for Greater Paris. Rue de Rivoli was one of the preferred locations for parades. At this stop, we discuss the year 1940 and how the Germans systematically looted France.
At the Ritz, all of Parisian high society gathered. Here, we discover how Marshal Göring looted antique furniture and took all the hotel’s hot water. Meanwhile, Frank Meier, the secretly Jewish bartender, unknowingly served as a dead drop. We also discuss pro-Nazi plots involving Gabrielle Chanel and members of the British royal family.
Place de l’Opéra was the jewel that Hitler was delighted to visit first during his only trip to Paris. While operas were staged exclusively in German, the National Front of Musicians was organizing to take part in the Resistance.
At the Berlitz Palace, in September 1941, the infamous exhibition "The Jew and France" opened. Its objective? To prepare and manipulate public opinion into accepting the deportation of tens of thousands using Nazi "science." It also discusses the terrible laws against this community.
Louvois Square is a beautiful and peaceful place of reflection in the heart of the 2nd arrondissement, paying tribute to the many Jews deported during the Vel' d'Hiv Roundup and recalling the role of the French government, which deliberately chose to include children. Thanks to a couple of women in the Resistance, hundreds were hidden and saved. The role of women in the Resistance contributed significantly to granting them the right to vote in 1944.
At the old town hall of the 2nd arrondissement, they tell the story of an ordinary resistance: Jacques Bidault, the mayor, is arrested for providing ration tickets to young people who are hiding to avoid the STO, the last terrible idea of the 3rd Reich to try to stem the advance of the allies in Italy and the Russians on the Eastern Front.
We are back on Rue de Rivoli, where liberation has finally taken place. Seeing their occupiers overwhelmed by the Normandy landings, Parisians go on strike. The police retake the police headquarters, then the city hall. The entire city is a battlefield with barricades, and a merciless struggle ensues to reach the German high command, which is entrenched on Rue de Rivoli.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Reviews(39)
Super informative and history heavy for people who want to learn more about French history. Margaux was super friendly and informative!
Wonderful guide, very knowledgeable!
Highly recommend this tour if you’re interested in World War II France, specifically, Paris, including Nazi takeover, what it was like living in Paris during that time and the Resistance. Our tour guide Marguax was very knowledgeable. I especially enjoyed seeing the old photos as we stood in front of the same buildings today as she explained the history and importance of them. I appreciate that she kept us well informed of the meeting time and place.
I had a fantastic time discovering the history of Paris during World War II. I learned a lot and heard some very interesting anecdotes. The guide is passionate about history and shares her knowledge generously and warmly. Go if you're looking for a unique tour!
I enjoyed the tour. The guide had a wide range of knowledge interlaced with photos and places related to Germany occupation of Paris.
The visit is conducted with Margaux in a small group. Coming with my family, we also followed the visit in English with Margaux. The visit was fascinating because the guide is very knowledgeable on the subject. We visit the places that mark the Nazi occupation in Paris, and the connection between history and current monuments is very well done. Both tourists and locals loved the tour because we learned a lot of things! I recommend it to everyone; Margaux makes this tour a very enjoyable moment!
I thoroughly enjoyed this tour. Margaux is a top notch history guide. I walked away having had all my WWII Paris Occupation questions answered. I highly recommend taking this tour!
This trip is AMAZING. So informative and was just fantastic to walk through the history books of Paris. Highly recommend if you are visiting Paris.
The tour was amazing! Would throughly recommend if you are visiting Paris, was so interesting to walk in the footsteps of history
Thank you! Walking through the same streets, standing in the same spots, there's nothing quite like it to make history feel real. So glad it resonated. Hope you'll be back in Paris soon!
I really enjoyed our tour! Margaux had an ipad to show us pictures to help us understand the tour even better .She is very kind and very helpful