In June 1940, German troops entered Paris after weeks of fighting across France. The French government declared the city an open city to avoid destruction, and the occupation began. German flags flew over government buildings, and soldiers patrolled streets once filled with tourists and artists.
Daily life changed overnight. Strict curfews were enforced, and rationing became a part of survival. Food was scarce, and long lines formed for bread, meat, and basic goods. Many Parisians relied on black markets to feed their families. German propaganda posters covered walls, and radio broadcasts were heavily censored.
The German military presence was everywhere. Soldiers were seen in cafés, theaters, and parks. While some citizens tried to continue life as normally as possible, others resisted in secret. The French Resistance began organizing sabotage missions, distributing underground newspapers, and helping Allied soldiers escape.
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Jews faced the harshest restrictions. Anti-Jewish laws forced them to register, wear yellow stars, and give up their jobs and businesses. Deportations to concentration camps started in 1942, creating fear and silence across the city. Many families went into hiding to avoid arrest.
Despite the occupation, cultural life didn’t completely vanish. Some artists, writers, and musicians stayed in Paris, performing under German supervision. Cabarets and theaters remained open, though heavily monitored. For others, art became a form of quiet resistance, using hidden messages in plays, songs, and paintings.
By 1944, the Allies were moving toward Paris. Resistance groups staged uprisings, and street fighting broke out. In August, German forces surrendered the city after four years of occupation. Crowds filled the streets to celebrate, and French and Allied soldiers marched through Paris as bells rang from every church.
