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Wartime Paris: Spies, Resistance and the Holocaust
With the Fall of France in 1940, the city of Paris sat at the heart of occupied France. Resistance began almost at once across the country, later assisted by the Special Operations Executive. Joined by Head Battlefield Guide Paul Reed and SOE researcher and writer Dr Victoria Humphreys, this new tour offers an insight into this fascinating subject. Key visits include the Gestapo Headquarters, Mont Valerian and the Drancy Holocaust Memorial.
Tour Includes
- 3 nights hotel with continental breakfast
- Two Specialist Battlefield Guides
- Convenient local joining points
4 days from £449pp
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Inbound Travel
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Itinerary
Please choose your preferred 4 day itinerary
Local departure by coach, then to our hotel in the Paris area for a three-night stay.
Beginning at the site of former SOE Safe Houses in Paris, we look at the story of Noor Inayat-Khan GC – the ‘Princess Spy’, we then walk to the nearby Gestapo Headquarters in Avenue Foch, where we hear the details of how the occupation was underpinned by their sinister and often deadly hands. Continuing to the Arc de Triomphe, we look at France from Defeat in 1940 to Liberation in 1944. We then look at the French Resistance battle in central Paris at the Hotel de Ville in August 1944, and then examine the darker chapters of Paris’ occupation, discussing the French victims of the Holocaust, and seeing the Memorial to those who were Righteous Among the Nations, as well as those who were deported from France with a visit to the Deportation Memorial. We end the day with a visit to Mont Valerian, seeing the impressive National Resistance Memorial, and the Visitors’ Centre discussing the Resistance fighters who died for a Free France as well as examining the story of their leader, Jean Moulin. In the evening you have some free-time in central Paris close to the Eiffel Tower.
Includes Breakfast
Key Visits
This morning we travel to Drancy and continue our look at the Holocaust in France, seeing the memorials and the site of the Detention Camp here. We then see a new Holocaust Memorial site at Bobigny, where the trains took French Jews to the Concentration Camps. Later we visit Pere Lachaise Cemetery for the Holocaust and Resistance Memorials, looking out how those who died were commemorated. We finish with a look at the Allied entry into Paris in 1944 seeing the excellent Paris Liberation Museum.
Includes Breakfast
Key Visits
Return home.
Includes Breakfast
Accommodation
You will stay for three-nights at the Originals City Hotel Le Cardinal Rueil Centre.
The Originals City Le Cardinal Rueil Centre
The Originals City Le Cardinal Rueil Centre is situated in vibrant Rueil Malmaison on the western outskirts of Paris. It is within walking distance of the bustling town centre with its inviting bars, charming restaurants and shops. The hotel is comprised of two buildings, offering a total of 64 bedrooms. All bedrooms are themed in a style – Paris (rooftops, metro, taxi, famous sights) or Africa (giraffe, zebra, leopard design). There is also a breakfast room, small bar and lift.
Hotel Facilities
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General
- 3 Star
- English Speaking Staff
- Guest Lounge
- Bar
- Lift
Room
- TV
- Hairdryer
- Safe Box
- Non-Smoking Rooms Available
- Shower or Bath
- Telephone
- Free Wifi
Accessibility
- Fridge Available for Medical Requirements
- Disabled Rooms Available
- Wheelchair Access
- Ground Floor Rooms on Request
Service
- 24 Hour Front Desk
- Iron at Reception
- Dogs Allowed on Request
Transport
- Bus Stop Nearby
Hotel
- English Speaking Staff
- Guest Lounge
- Bar
- Lift
- WiFi Available
Silver Service Coach
More than simply your method of transport, Silver Service offers a coach with added comfort and facilities, such as deluxe reclining seats with leather headrests, an onboard entertainment system, and a spacious rear lounge so you can socialise with your fellow passengers.
Silver Service Features
- Specially designed reclining seats, with leather headrests, footrests and extra legroom.
- A spacious rear lounge where you can relax, socialise and get to know your fellow passengers.
- Our onboard entertainment and satellite navigation system makes your journey fly by.
- Free personal headphones mean you can tune into the music channel, listen to the radio or watch DVDs being played by your crew.
- Personal tables so you can enjoy your refreshments in comfort as you take in the passing scenery.
Executive Coach
All of our coaches are modern and comfortable, and you can be assured of a high level of service and reliability from our expert-trained coach crews, who will be on hand to assist and escort you along the way.
Executive Coach Features
- Air-conditioning, an onboard servery, onboard toilet and reclining seats. Please note that on selected air holidays, the executive coach may have limited facilities.
Reviews
4.2 Out of 5 ( 6 Reviews )
Reviews
Quality
4.7 / 5
Value for Money
3.2 / 5
Patricia Clatworthy, 1 year ago
Very interesting
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Chloe Cooley, 1 year ago
What an AMAZING trip. So informative with fantastic guides and great drivers! I can't wait to see how they develop thos type of trip, first in Belgium next year and then to other countries after that!!
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Jane Speare, 1 year ago
Very nice guides who were interesting and knowledgeable. A good mix of information complemented by readings from memoirs/ diaries etc. In general terms the tour took a nicely nuanced approach to this difficult, and sometimes deeply distressing, history. A huge amount was covered. I would have liked a slightly less packed schedule with more time to visit the Liberation of Paris museum in particular and some flexibility over when and what to see. Paris is not very difficult to navigate, and adults are well able to steer themselves around using public transport if they choose. Having said this my overall experience was very positive and I enjoyed meeting people on the trip, many of whom had deep interest in the subject and shared recommendations for further reading etc. Thanks
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Gordon Thorpe, 1 year ago
Excellent trip. Paul Read as usual put a lot of time and thought into developing the visit. The very close walking distance between Princess Noor's safe house ( which proved to be anything but) and Gestapo H.Q. was chilling. The deportation sites remain as shocking as ever.
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C Hall, 1 year ago
An excellent tour, both interesting an informative. Excellent guides who were not only exceptionally knowledgeable but also highly enthusiastic. This combined with French cuisine made it a memorable experience.
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Departure Dates
