Rose Valland, a curator at the Jeu de Paume museum, secretly catalogued over 20,000 artworks stolen by the Nazis for 4 years, risking execution if discovered. Her records helped recover thousands of pieces after the war.
Right Bank · WWII
WW2 Right Bank Tour
Discover Paris under the light of the Second World War
Did you know
Ernest Hemingway famously claimed to have 'liberated' the Ritz Hotel bar at Place Vendome on August 25, 1944, arriving with a group of French resistance fighters and ordering 73 dry martinis.
Place de la Concorde was the site of the first French flag raised over a public building in Paris during the Liberation, replacing the swastika that had flown for over 4 years.
The Pont Alexandre III, where our tour begins, was one of the bridges Hitler ordered to be destroyed. It survived thanks to the German garrison's decision to disobey the demolition order.
During the occupation, German road signs in Gothic script were installed across Paris, and the clocks were set to Berlin time — one hour ahead of French time.
Three threads, one walk
The Fall · The Resistance · The Liberation
Act I · June 1940
The Fall of Paris
Discover how Paris fell to the hands of the German army in only 35 days of active combat, and learn more about the crucial decisions taken during that period.
Act II · 1940 — 1944
The Resistance
Learn how some French Resistance fighters operated under the noses of the Nazi occupiers, using ingenuity and courage to protect their city and its culture.
Act III · August 1944
Liberation
Revisit the Liberation of Paris in August 1944, when the city came on the brink of destruction, and learn how some famous characters were involved in the event.
On the ground
Our 4 Historic Stops
Walked in sequence — each stop sets up the next.
-
Introduction
Bridge Alexander III - Introduction
Our first stop is all about getting on the same page — and having a bit of fun while we do it. We'll set the scene for Paris in World War II, giving you the key events and characters to remember. There's a quiz involved, so listen closely…
-
The Fall of Paris
Ministry of Foreign Affairs - The Fall
Here we revisit a decisive meeting held immediately after the German assault in May 1940. You'll discover the important decisions that were taken on that day by the government on the future of the French capital.
-
The Resistance
Concorde Square - The Resistance
Moving on to the Occupation period, we'll focus on the story of a French female Resistance fighter called Rose Valland. For 4 years straight, she risked her life every day to keep track of all the artwork seized by the Nazis in Paris, and sent to Germany...
-
Liberation
Place Vendôme - Liberation
Fighting in the streets, uncertainty in command, and a literary legend—Ernest Hemingway—who vowed to liberate a very specific Parisian site. Did he succeed? We build the suspense as we reach the symbolic finale.
The walk
See where we walk.
Four stops, two hours, one neighbourhood — all on foot.
Right Bank
2.5 km · 4 stops · 2 h
On the ground
From the tour.
Book this walk
WW2 Right Bank Tour
- From
- 59 €/ person
- Duration
- 2 hours
- Group
- Max 10
- Languages
- English · French
Option 1
Book a private tour
Your group only, on the date and at the time that suit you — same route, same research, at your own pace.
- Your group only — nobody else joins
- Any date, any start time
- In English or in French, at your pace
Option 2
Join a scheduled walk
Pick one of the next available dates, choose your party size and pay in one step. Ten people maximum, and bookings confirm within 24 hours.
Option 1
Book a private tour
Your group only, on the date and at the time that suit you — same route, same research, at your own pace.
Next available dates
Pick a session and book in under a minute — or choose another option below.
All times are Paris time (CET/CEST).
Showing dates for Right Bank WWII Tour
Loading dates…
Also book on 
Questions
Things you might wonder.
Where does the Right Bank WWII tour start and end?
The tour starts at Pont Alexandre III and ends at Place Vendôme. The exact meeting point is sent to you 24 hours before the tour.
What are the stops on the Right Bank WWII tour?
Four historic stops over 2 hours and about 2.5 km: Pont Alexandre III, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the Quai d'Orsay, Place de la Concorde, and Place Vendôme.
What stories does the Right Bank tour tell?
The Battle of France, Rose Valland's secret mission to track more than 20,000 artworks looted by the Nazis, the first French flag raised over Concorde at the Liberation, and Ernest Hemingway's famous 'liberation' of the Ritz bar in August 1944.
How much does the Right Bank WWII tour cost?
From €59 per person for the group tour (maximum 10 participants). Private tours for your group only are also available, with flexible dates and times.
Should I choose the Left Bank or the Right Bank tour?
They are complementary: same three themes — Fall, Resistance, Liberation — but entirely different locations and stories. Many guests do both on consecutive days. If you love art history, start with the Right Bank (Rose Valland); if you prefer the Resistance, start with the Left Bank.