Paris Occupation History WWII 2 Hour Walking Tour
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September 2026
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Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 65 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Paris Occupation History WWII 2 Hour Walking Tour worth booking?
Paris Occupation History WWII 2 Hour Walking Tour is a 2.3-hour experience in Paris, France, from $14 per person. It scores 81 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Exceptional”, based on a 5/5 rating across 65 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 81 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (65)
- Duration
- 2.3 hours
- From
- $14 per person
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
What you get
- Admission fees
About this experience
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.
What's included
Included
- Admission fees
What you'll see and do
Place de la Concorde
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
15 minutes here
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.
10 minutes here
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.
15 minutes here
Place De L'Opera
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.
15 minutes here
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.
15 minutes here
Square Louvois
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.
15 minutes here
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.
15 minutes here
Rue De Rivoli
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.
15 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Paris
The guide will send you a message the day before, which will allow you to get her contact details. She will be there before the meeting time to welcome you just below the statue. She will be wearing a black cap.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Returns to the starting point
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 8 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- 1533walks - Historic Paris Tours
Know before you go
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 69 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
10 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
The guide
6 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Value for money
2 mentionsTravelers feel they got more than they paid for.
Traveler reviews
69 verified traveler reviews for Paris Occupation History WWII 2 Hour Walking Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Margaux brought WWII Paris to life
Our WWII Occupation tour with Margaux was one of the highlights of our trip to Paris. Margaux was incredibly knowledgeable and engaging, and she brought the history of occupied Paris to life as we walked through the city. We learned so much about the German occupation, the French Resistance, the persecution of Paris’s Jewish community, the liberation of Paris, and the stories behind places we otherwise would have walked right past. She gave us historical context without ever making it feel like a lecture and was wonderful about answering our questions. After the tour, we found ourselves noticing Paris differently because we understood more of the history behind what we were seeing. If you’re interested in WWII history, I highly recommend this tour and Margaux!
via Viator
Terrific Tour
Margaux is a terrific and very knowledgeable guide!! I booked this walking tour very last minute on my last day in Paris and it was SO well worth it. I am a history buff, but even if you are not, you will find this very enjoyable. Margaux shared so many interesting stories and brought that period of the war and the occupation of Paris to life. I also met some lovely people who were also along on the tour. Don’t miss this!!
via Tripadvisor
Fantastic Tour!
This was a fascinating tour. I learned a great deal of history and Margaux is a terrific guide. She is incredibly knowledgeable. She presented information specific to various locations in Paris as well as the bigger picture regarding the Nazi occupation of France. She also told little-known stories about individuals who were part of the Resistance. Wonderful experience!
via Tripadvisor
Detailed and Engaging Tour of WWII Paris
Margaux tour was terrific. She’s friendly (introduced herself to each of us) and engaging, and her enthusiasm and knowledge made Paris during the war come alive. She supplemented her narrative with many b&w photos from the occupation that we could easily view on her iPad. She provided a detailed, nuanced story.
via Tripadvisor
Worth the price!
I have always been interested in learning about the occupation so I jumped at the chance to learn more when in Paris. What truly made this tour worth the price was our guide, Margo. She was not only knowledgable but friendly and was more than willing to answer our history questions when walking between sites! 10/10!
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 2.3 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $14 to $44
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 23
- Verdict
- Exceptional
Why this scores 81
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Paris Occupation History WWII 2 Hour Walking Tour: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Paris.
How much does Paris Occupation History WWII 2 Hour Walking Tour cost?
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Prices start at $14 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Paris usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Paris Occupation History WWII 2 Hour Walking Tour take?
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Plan for about 2.3 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Paris is not rushed.
Is Paris Occupation History WWII 2 Hour Walking Tour worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 81 out of 100, which we label "Exceptional". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 65 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Paris, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Paris Occupation History WWII 2 Hour Walking Tour?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Paris Occupation History WWII 2 Hour Walking Tour suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 2.3-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Paris Occupation History WWII 2 Hour Walking Tour?
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Around 23 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Paris can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Paris and add a light layer if any part of the 2.3-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Paris Occupation History WWII 2 Hour Walking Tour start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Paris within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Paris?
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Paris rewards travelers who book ahead. The headline museums sell timed entry weeks out, the best food walks cap at eight people, and the Seine cruises that are worth doing are the ones that leave after sunset. Everything below is scored by the Outty Ranking so you can tell a genuine local favorite from a coach-tour filler in a single glance. On Outty we rank every Paris experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Louvre Museum Essential Guided Tour Semi Private 6 GUESTS MAX, Louvre Museum Premium Guided Tour 6 GUESTS MAX Entry Included, Paris City Center Free Walking Tour (Tip-Based). The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Paris?
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April to June and September to October, when queues thin out and terraces stay open late. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Paris?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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