What Paris looked like in the 1960s Through These Fascinating Photos

The 1960s in Paris was a time of change and development. As the echoes of World War II began to fade, the city was stepping into a new era of peace and prosperity. Paris was blossoming in all aspects – politically, socially, and culturally. The city was becoming increasingly cosmopolitan, embracing modernization while still preserving its rich historical heritage.

Youth Revolution

One of the most significant events of the 1960s in Paris were the student protests in May 1968. What started as a series of student strikes quickly snowballed into a full-fledged social revolution, leading to widespread demonstrations, general strikes, and the occupation of universities and factories across France. This marked a turning point for the French society, giving voice to a generation yearning for change, freedom, and more rights.

Evolution of Parisian Style

Paris in the 1960s also heralded an evolution in the world of fashion. This was the era that witnessed the rise of “ready-to-wear” fashion, challenging the reign of haute couture. Designers such as Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Cardin were redefining fashion norms and bringing a breath of fresh air to Parisian style. The iconic ‘Le Smoking’ tuxedo suit for women by Saint Laurent, debuted in 1966, epitomized the blend of elegance and rebellion that characterized the fashion of the era.

Nouvelle Vague and Beyond

Paris’s art scene in the 1960s was just as dynamic. The film industry, in particular, saw the rise of the French New Wave, or ‘Nouvelle Vague’, a cinematic movement led by directors like François Truffaut and Jean-Luc Godard. Their innovative storytelling techniques and unconventional themes left a lasting impression on global cinema.

The music scene was equally vibrant, with French pop music or ‘yé-yé’ becoming popular. Singers like Serge Gainsbourg and Françoise Hardy were the icons of this era, capturing the spirit of the times in their lyrics and melodies.

The city’s skyline was also undergoing a transformation. Alongside the historic buildings, modern architectural marvels were starting to rise, epitomized by the construction of the Tour Montparnasse, one of Paris’s tallest buildings. This juxtaposition of the old and the new captured the essence of Paris in the 1960s.

These fascinating photos will take you back to the 1960s in Paris. Also check, Paris in the 1950s.

#1 Rue Mont Genis, Montmartre, Paris, 1960

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#2 Rue de la Montagne Ste. Geneviere, Paris, 1960

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#3 Champs Elysee, Paris, 1960s

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#4 Arc de Triomphe, Paris, 1960s

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#5 Avenue des Champs-Élysées, 1960s

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#6 In the Jardin des Tuileries, 1960s

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#7 Avenue de l’Opéra, Paris, 1966

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#8 Le Beaulieu” bar, Paris, 1966

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#9 Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel, Paris, 1966

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#10 Musée de Cluny, Paris, 1966

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#11 Place de la Concorde, Paris, 1966

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#12 Notre-Dame de Paris, 1966

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#13 Place des Vosges, Paris, 1966

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#14 Place de la Concorde, Paris, 1966

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#15 Paris from the Eiffel Tower, 1966

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#16 Le Café du Trocadéro, 1960s

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#17 Place de Furstemberg, Paris, 1966

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#18 Place Saint-André-des-Arts, Paris, 1966

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#19 Place Saint-Michel, Paris, 1966

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#20 Rue de la Huchette, Paris, 1966

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#21 Paris from the Tower Eiffel, 1966

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#22 Arc de Triomphe , Champs-Elysées, Paris, 1960

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#23 Rue de Marignan, Paris, 1960

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#24 Montmartre, Paris, 1960

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#25 Sightseeing barge above Ile de la Cite, Paris, 1960

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#26 Rue Chanoinesse, Paris, 1960

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#27 Place du Theatre Montmartre, Paris, 1960

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#28 Place du Theatre Montmartre (below Sacre Coeur), Paris, 1960

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#29 Arc du Carousel, Paris, 1960

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#30 Rue DesCartes, Paris, 1960

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#31 Sidewalk Café, Montmartre, Paris, 1960

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#32 View north from Pont Neuf, Paris, 1960

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#33 Rue du Havre, Paris, 1960

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#34 Arc de Triomphe from Ave Foch, Paris, 1960s

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#35 Arc de Triomphe, 1960s

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#36 Arc de Triomphe, 1960s

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#37 Les Halles, Paris, 1960s

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#38 Les Halles, Paris, 1960s

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#39 Les Halles, Paris, 1960s

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#40 Les Halles, Paris, 1960s

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#41 Les Halles, Paris, 1960s

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#42 Paris From the Eiffel Tower

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#43 Paris From the Eiffel Tower

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#44 Paris From the Eiffel Tower

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#45 Paris From the Eiffel Tower

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#46 Paris From the Eiffel Tower

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#47 Paris From the Eiffel Tower

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#48 Paris From the Eiffel Tower

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#49 Paris Opera, 1960s

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#50 Paris street scenes, 1960s

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#51 Place Vendome, 1960s

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#52 Porte St Denis, 1960s

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#53 The Tuileries, Paris, 1960s

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#54 News stand Paris Rue Marignan and Champs Elysee, 1960

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#55 Rue DesCartes, 1960

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#56 Rue de la Montagne, Saint Geneviere, 1960

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#57 View north from Pont Neuf, 1960

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#58 Barge in Seine, 1960

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#59 Sightseeing barge above Ile de la Cite, 1960

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#60 Top of Montmartre, 1960

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#61 Hotel de Ville, 1960

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#62 Champs Elysée, 1960

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#63 Pantheon, 1960

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#64 Café de le Paix, 1960

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#65 Place Henri Bergson, 1960

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#66 Rue Mont Genis, Montmartre, 1960

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#67 Sidewalk Café, Montmartre, 1960

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#68 Rue Valette, 1960

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#69 Place du Tertre, Montmartre, 1960

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#70 Place du Tertre, Montmartre, 1960

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#71 Place du Tertre, Montmartre, 1960

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#72 French school boys on tour at Fontaine bleau, 1960

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#73 L’Eglise de Saint Etinned, Monti, 1960

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#74 Palais de l’Elysee, 1960

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#75 Hotel Prince de Galles, 1960

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#76 Trois Parisiennes on the Champs Elysee, 1960

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#77 Arc de Triomphe, 1960

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#78 L’Eglise St. Gervais, 1960

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#79 Rue du Havre, 1960

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#80 Rue Chanoinesse, 1960

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#81 Place de l’Opéra, 1960

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#82 Schiaparelli on Place Vendome, 1960

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#83 Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel, Paris, 1961

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#84 Arc de Triomphe, Paris, 1961

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#85 Candy store on Champs-Élysées, Paris, 1961

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#86 Champs-Élysées, Paris, 1961

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#87 Champs-Élysées, Paris, 1961

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#88 Eiffel Tower, Paris, 1961

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#89 Montmartre, Paris, 1961

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#90 Montmartre, Paris, 1961

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#91 Montmartre, Paris, 1961

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#92 Near Place de l’Étoile, Paris, 1961

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#93 Paris cityscape from Montmartre, 1961

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#94 Sacré-Cœur Basilica, Paris, 1961

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#95 Maxim’s, Paris, 1965

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#96 Notre-Dame, Paris, 1965

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#97 Paris cityscape from Montmartre, 1965

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#98 Paris, 1965

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#99 View of Arc de Triomphe from Obélisque de Louxor, Paris, 1965

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#100 Les Halles, Paris, 1966

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#101 Les Halles, Paris, 1966

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#102 View from Eiffel Tower, Paris, 1966

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#103 View from Eiffel Tower, Paris, 1966

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#104 Armistice parade on Champs-Élysées, Paris, 1967

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#105 Charles de Gaulle on parade, Paris, 1967

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#106 Paris Metro, 1967

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#107 Stamp collectors on Champs-Élysées, Paris, 1967

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#108 Stamp collectors on Champs-Élysées, Paris, 1967

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#109 Bois de Boulogne, Paris, 1968

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#110 Colonne de Juillet, Paris, 1968

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#111 Conciergerie, Paris, 1968

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#112 Eiffel Tower, 1968

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#113 Paris street scenes, 1968

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#114 Paris, 1968

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#115 Paris, 1968

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#116 Place Charles de Gaulle, Paris, 1968

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#117 Pond boats, Jardin des Tuileries, Paris, 1968

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#118 Top of the Arc de Triomphe, Paris, 1968

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#119 Place des Vosges, Paris, 1966

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#120 Manguin – Galerie de Paris on Place Francois Pre, 1960

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