Pivotal day of Peace once more for Parisians

Charles de Gaule liberates Paris

August 25, 2014 – Another pivotal day in the history of France, which we should remember if we love to visit the City of Light, or the City of Lovers, whatever suits your situation.

Today, 70 years ago, Charles de Gaulle, rode down the Champs Elysses and accepted the capitulation of Hitler’s general. We should also bethankful for this German commander because he did not do what Hitler had commanded him to do – to blow up Paris, so there was nothing left for de Gaulle to reclaim. The beautiful bridges, the ARc de Triomph, the Petit Palace, the Grand Palace, Notre Dame, le Louvre and importantly, the Eiffel Tower, the symbol of the city. All monuments were already wired to be bombed, but the German general refused to give the order. He did, however, sign his surrender of the city.

Here is another of Olivier’s father’s precious photographs (now framed in Olivier’s study) which captures that delicious moment after the motorcade and the marching invading armies and the two million Parisians who lined the Champs Elysees to welcome de Gaulle back home.

Anyone visiting Paris should take the time to walk around Ile de Cite and read the many plaques which record the invasion, the occupation, the Resistance and most important the day Charles de Gaulle, who had headed France’s resistance from England, liberated Paris for the French people.

Be Sociable, Share!