Tour Details
Duration
3 hours
Product Type
Tour
Venues
- Place Saint-Michel
- Luxembourg Gardens
- Île de la Cité
- Latin Quarter
- Marais
- Mémorial des martyrs de la Déportation
- Memorial of the Shoah
Photos & Highlights
- Explore what the reality of life was like under Nazi occupation through the lens of soldiers, the deported, Resistance fighters, collaborators, and everyday citizens
- Visit iconic sites and walk historic streets while uncovering hidden stories of the men and women who fought for Paris’ Liberation
Select a date
Tour Description
In this city once gripped by Nazi occupation, wartime secrets are waiting to be revealed. You’ve read all the novels, watched all the documentaries, but here you’ll come to understand what no single piece of media can convey: the many shades of gray of life under Nazi occupation.
As you walk along the history-laden streets, you will hear echoes of those who came before. Perhaps you’ll learn more about your own family history, or your expert will share their family ties with a past not so far gone. From the most personal connections to the most well-known, you’ll see what the men and women who shaped this city’s history went through firsthand.
With the help of an expert historian, World War II in Paris will come to life. Discover the site of a pivotal riot sparked by sardines, see a hotel that once housed both Holocaust survivors and their imprisoned Nazi captors, find bullet holes in a building meant for those who served and protected, and more.
Choose this tour if...
- You are a history buff who craves a deeper understanding of daily life during the Nazi occupation
- You are an avid historical fiction reader who wants to learn the truth behind the stories you’ve read
- Your family was touched by the war, and you want a more profound insight into your own personal past
- You are looking to make collective memories with your family and give yourselves something to talk about long after your trip is over
- You want to see parts of Paris that most tourists don’t visit
Everyone from history buffs to history dabblers will learn something new
“Marie was a fabulous guide. She gave me a real look at WWII from the French perspective, which was so interesting. My husband is a real military/war buff and he learned new things from Marie. Highly recommend Marie and this tour. Money well spent.”
Discover one of Paris’ hidden sides
“Our guide, Sean, led us on an insightful walking tour that we really enjoyed. We read a lot of WWII history, but were unfamiliar with the details of what happened in Paris during the war years—and we learned a lot on this tour. It offered a new way to see and understand Paris. We enjoyed it!”
Follow in the footsteps of the French Resistance
“The tour with Aymeric was excellent! Standing in locations that were important to the Resistance effort to defeat the Nazis and made the history come alive. I highly recommend this tour for those interested in WWII and the Nazi Occupation of Paris.”
Beginning in the heart of Saint Germain des Prés, a critical location for both Nazi occupiers and the Resistance, your expert will weave tales of daily life for French, German, and American soldiers, Jews, non-Jews, Resistance fighters, and everyday citizens. From the start of the occupation to the final days of Liberation, immerse yourself in the stories of those whose footsteps once fell upon these streets.
Visit the hotel where the German OSS once operated, imagining details of unspoken betrayals hidden within its walls. From here, your expert may choose to lead you through the opulent Jardin du Luxembourg, which once served as the headquarters for the Luftwaffe, or to guide you north to the entertainment quarter for Nazi occupiers.
Make your way from Place Saint-Michel, a site captured for eternity in Doisneau's photo of defiant barricades, to the police headquarters, seized from the hands of French collaborationists by the Resistance. On Île de la Cité, pause at the chilling Deportation Memorial before reflecting at the Shoah Memorial, if time allows.
You’ll leave this Paris WW2 tour with a deeper, richer understanding of life for all during a time in the not-too-distant past that still echoes through today.
- The Paris Left Bank is a vibrant cultural and artistic hub famous for its historic landmarks, intellectual history, and bohemian atmosphere.
- Île de la Cité is home to iconic attractions Notre Dame, Sainté Chapelle, and the Conciergerie, offering a long and storied past.
- The Mémorial des Martyrs de la Déportation is a moving monument situated on Île de la Cité, commemorating the French victims of deportation during World War II, including 76,000 Jewish deportations, and serving as a symbol of remembrance and reflection.
- The Memorial de la Shoah is a poignant and solemn museum and memorial dedicated to the memory of the Holocaust, honoring the victims of Nazi genocide in Europer, and educating visitors about the atrocities of World War II.
We understand that some of our valued guests may have mobility concerns, and we want to ensure you have a comfortable and enjoyable experience throughout your tour. If there are any accessibility concerns that your tour guide will need to be aware of, please let our team know at the time of booking.
For more information about Context tours, please visit our FAQ page.
Is this tour appropriate for children and teens?
We cover mature topics on this tour. It is not designed as a family tour, though we welcome inquisitive minds of all ages. Please contact us to discuss further if you're concerned about age-appropriate content. Context small-group tours do have an age minimum of 13.
Is this tour available every day?
We run this tour every day of the week, except for a few holidays when downtown Paris is very congested. Please be aware that the Shoah Memorial is not open on Saturdays and therefore Saturday tours will visit other points of interest.
Is this tour appropriate for children and teens?
We cover mature topics on this tour. It is not designed as a family tour, though we welcome inquisitive minds of all ages. Please contact us to discuss further if you're concerned about age-appropriate content. Context small-group tours do have an age minimum of 13.
Is this tour available every day?
We run this tour every day of the week, except for a few holidays when downtown Paris is very congested. Please be aware that the Shoah Memorial is not open on Saturdays and therefore Saturday tours will visit other points of interest.
Where You'll Start
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802 Reviews
Reviews can only be left by Context customers after they have completed a tour. For more information about our reviews, please see our FAQ.
Nigel really should get the highest marks for his vast knowledge of and enthusiasm for heroes and activities of the French Resistance. It's a topic all of us were most interested in. However, his enthusiasm for telling us everything he knows of the subject led us to a five-hour tour (without a bathroom break) and became something of a forced march. I so appreciated his wanting to give us a comprehensive understanding, but it was hard to maintain focus as we stood for long periods of time at each of the many stops. He certainly has the knowledge to be an interesting guide, but he needs to understand his audience and work at editing information for a more engaging tour.
Nancy
Reviewed on:
Oct 24, 2016
<p>Hi Nigel,</p>
<p>We just received the below feedback which I wanted to share with you.</p>
<p>Let me preface it by saying that in the year we've been working for you, you've gotten only positive feedback, so I don't want you to be alarmed by the feedback, which has some constructive criticism. I am not concerned. I think you've proven yourself to be a very capable docent.</p>
<p>That said, I still wanted to share, and get your thoughts. Could you let me know your take on the walk?</p>
<p>Thanks very much.</p>
<p>Best,</p>
<p>Sara</p>
<p><em>The docent has an excellent command of the subject matter, but may needs some guidance constructing his tour so that it tells a cogent story. The first two hours of our tour were spent showing us pictures. He did not seem to make use of the city as a resource. Our three hour walking tour ballooned into a five hour walking tour with no break. Two members of the tour took the docent down rabbit holes. The docent may need some help in audience management.</em></p>
Patricia
Reviewed on:
Oct 20, 2016
Great docent; very personable and knowledgeable of not just the topic, but also helpful hints for the city.
Brittany
Reviewed on:
Oct 15, 2016
