25 août 1944 · Hôtel de Ville / Notre-Dame, Paris
The Liberation of Paris
Allied departure
On the morning of August 25, Allied tanks advance towards Paris, symbolizing the hope of an imminent liberation.
The welcome from Parisians
Emotional Parisians pour out into the streets, waving French flags and singing hymns of freedom.
The adrenaline of the Resistance
Members of the Resistance, armed with courage, coordinate actions to paralyze the German forces in place.
Tanks in Paris
Tanks from the 2nd Armored Division traverse the Champs-Élysées, a landmark moment in the city's history.
De Gaulle's speech
At the foot of the City Hall, General de Gaulle delivers an emotional speech, calling for unity and reconstruction.
Celebration on the boulevards
The Parisian boulevards are filled with joy, songs, and dances, celebrating regained freedom.
The scars of war
Despite the joy, the scars left by the occupation are visible, reminding everyone of the road traveled.