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Occupation and Liberation of Paris: Explore Historic Sites of France's Darkest Period
5.0
7 Ratings
Paris
This is a unique chance to explore various sites, some renowned, through the lens of history, enriched with numerous photographs and stories that illuminate the darkest era in French history. The tour is conducted in French. For an English tour, please reach out to us!
This is a unique chance to explore various sites, some renowned, through the lens of history, enriched with numerous photographs and stories that illuminate the darkest era in French history. The tour is conducted in French. For an English tour, please reach out to us!
Duration:
2 hours, 15 minutes
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- Bouillon Chartier Grands Boulevards - Revisit dramatic stories and daily life during the Occupation.
- Folies Bergere - Hear accounts of the vibrant artistic scene under the Occupation: stars, music halls, cinemas, and more.
- Passage Verdeau - The passages retain the ambiance and decor from the Occupation era. Across the way, a building…
- Bouillon Chartier Grands Boulevards - Revisit dramatic stories and daily life during the Occupation.
- Folies Bergere - Hear accounts of the vibrant artistic scene under the Occupation: stars, music halls, cinemas, and more.
- Passage Verdeau - The passages retain the ambiance and decor from the Occupation era. Across the way, a building once housed a brothel requisitioned by the German army.
- Hotel Drouot - During the Occupation, numerous simple objects and artworks were sold at Drouot. This is an opportunity to discuss the plundering of Jewish property and the fascinating story of a German art dealer working for the Reich.
- Mairie du 9e arrondissement de Paris - The town hall offers a chance to explore the Resistance through the story of a town hall employee. It also addresses denunciation and everyday resistance in France during the war.
- BNP Paribas maison doree - This stop will cover the role of banks during the Occupation. Before that, we’ll discuss the surprising situation on the Paris stock exchange and the armistice agreements between France and Germany, along with the resulting economic and political situation.
- Pathe Opera Premier - An example of a cinema requisitioned for German soldiers. Nearby, another building is known for hosting one of Paris’s most significant exhibitions, organized by propaganda promoting anti-Semitism.
- BRED-Banque Populaire - Espace patrimonial - Place de l’Opéra is highly symbolic of the Occupation of Paris. The Kommandantur was located here, and the Café de la Paix and the Opera are rich with anecdotes from this period.
- Place Vendome - After discussing the fate of the jewelry stores on rue de la Paix, Place Vendôme provides an opportunity to talk about the Ministry of Justice, occupied by the German army, one of the first Resistance networks established just opposite, and especially the Ritz hotel, a hub of Collaboration and occupation frequented by many celebrities.
- Rue de Castiglione - Most of the large hotels housed the German army headquarters. Behind the Meurice hotel, we can discuss the main figures associated with these places and the battles of the Liberation that ended here.
- Place de la Concorde - Place de la Concorde reveals traces of the Liberation battles. Memorial plaques honor the soldiers, resistance fighters, and ordinary civilians who participated.
On the terrace, several photos of the place and its surroundings will help to better understand the period and highlight the fundamental role of several famous individuals.
What's Included
- All buildings visited are free to access
- All buildings visited are free to access
Location
32 Bd Poissonnière
Boulevard Poissonnière
In front of the Holiday Inn hotel, at the exit of the Grands Boulevards metro (lines 8 and 9)
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
5.0
(7 Ratings)
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1 star
Londoner16
Feb 20, 2025
Excellent - we highly recommend it. - Thierry Heil is an absolutely excellent and expert historian. His turn explains the Occupation and Liberation well with facts and stories told vividly and clearly in the places where the key events occurred. Really friendly and insightful. We've learned a lot. Highly recommended to understand this period of French history.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Londoner16
Feb 20, 2025
Superb - really worthwhile - Thierry Heil is an absolutely brilliant and knowledgeable historian who brought the Occupation and Liberation to life with facts and stories vividly and clearly told in the places where key events occurred. Really friendly and perceptive. We learned a lot. Highly recommended to understands this period if France’s history.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Susanstrib
Mar 19, 2024
Walk with Thierry and learn about Paris! - We did two private, Paris walking tours with Thierry Heil in December. He was very responsive leading up to our tours, so we were prepared and ready to go at our agreed upon location near our apartment. One tour focused on the French Revolution and the other on the Occupation/Liberation of Paris during World War II. Thierry was informative, interesting, engaging and fun, and we felt like we learned much about both time periods when our walks concluded. I highly recommend Thierry and his company Interkultur if you are interested in Paris walking tours - there are a wide variety of tours from which to choose. They also offer guided experiences farther afield from Paris like the Champagne region, Fontainebleau, Chartres, Giverny, Normandy, etc. Merci beaucoup, Thierry!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Emb815
Aug 26, 2023
Learning while walking - Brad was an informative guide who gave us a good overview of this period of French history. He willingly answered any questions. So much better than wandering around on our own. With this tour, we expanded our knowledge while seeing the beautiful sights of Paris.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Z5272hsjohng
May 3, 2023
Just as I expected - To specify - I made four guided tours - Paris under occupation, The Menier Dynasty, Gustav Eiffel, and The Jewish Maris. I am American, but I made them on purpose in French to have the experience and to see Paris as the Parisians. I was delighted in terms of language but also in the learning plan - there was a lot of information and unusual facts. Bohemond is an extraordinary guide with lots of stories and precise anecdotes and we will say hidden. Five stars!
I did four tours - Paris under the occupation, the Menier Dynasty, Gustav Eiffel and the Jewish Marais. I'm American but I did this in French for the express purpose of getting the linguistic experience as well as seeing Paris through the eyes of the Parisians themselves. I was blown away both with the French experience but also the depth of the learning - there were so much detailed information and amazing facts and stories. Bohemond is a fantastic guide who has a huge depth of knowledge and anecdotes that will amaze and astound you.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
384davym
Nov 7, 2019
A superb experience to better understand the daily life of the occupation - Thanks to Thierry for this unique tour of occupied Paris.
Thierry shared with us his historical knowledge which he accompanied with many anecdotes about life in Paris during this difficult period.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Mirna
Nov 7, 2019
Paris guided tour...what a beautiful experience! - I know Paris very well ..but there was different.
What a sensational moment!! Our guide Thierry was great! His enthusiasm, his expertise, his kindness put the group at ease. He knows how to tell stories in a magical way. It's a shame it was only two hours although Thierry stayed longer with us and didn't look at his watch!
Mile thank you and see you soon...I'm talking to everyone around me!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
