Private WWII Walking Tour Paris: Occupation History & Hidden Sites

Summary

WWII Paris Walking Tour: Gestapo Offices, Resistance & Liberation

You’ll walk real WWII history in Paris—see hidden Gestapo sites, hear stories of resistance fighters, and spot bullet holes from liberation battles. This tour isn’t just facts; it’s standing where history happened.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing that hit me was the quiet on Avenue Foch—odd for such a grand street. Our guide, Pierre, pointed to a nondescript building and said, “That’s where the Gestapo set up shop.” I could almost picture the black cars pulling up in 1943. He told us how Parisians used to call it “avenue des Boches”—not exactly friendly. We paused outside the old entrance; even now, you get a chill thinking about who walked through those doors.

We wandered down the Champs Elysées, dodging morning joggers and delivery vans. Hard to imagine this boulevard once draped in swastika banners for Nazi propaganda parades. Pierre pointed out Fouquet’s and Maxims—both still buzzing with life today—where German officers once dined. There’s something strange about sipping coffee somewhere that was once filled with uniforms and secrets.

At Place de la Concorde, I leaned in close to see tiny bullet holes left from the Liberation fights—easy to miss if you’re not looking for them. Just around the corner at Le Meurice hotel, our guide shared how General von Choltitz ignored Hitler’s orders to destroy Paris. “Is Paris burning?” he quoted from the radio call. The city survived because of one man’s decision right there.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — WW2 Historic Paris Walking Tour

• Explore occupied Paris and Gestapo offices
• Learn about resistance fighters and Operation Walkyria
• Walk down Champs Elysées and see Reich propaganda sites
• Visit German-frequented restaurants and cafes
• End at Place de la Concorde with liberation bullet holes
• See Le Meurice and story of Paris' preservation

Top questions

How long does the walking tour last?

The tour is half a day—usually around 3 hours—but can be adjusted a bit based on your pace or questions.

Is this tour suitable for children or people with limited mobility?

Infants and small kids can come along in strollers, and service animals are welcome. The route uses public sidewalks but does require some walking.

Will we go inside any buildings?

This experience is mostly outdoors; you’ll see historic sites from the street while your guide shares stories and context.

Who leads the tour?

A professional guide with deep knowledge of Paris and World War II history will lead your group.

What’s included

You’ll get a private guided walk led by an expert in WWII Paris history. The tour covers all main sites mentioned, plus plenty of time for questions along the way.