Carcassonne During World War 2
Description
We will visit buildings, memorials, statues, and places that have a link back to World War 2 and I will share my love of the subject, bringing the history to life by telling you the personal stories about the people involved using many photographs from the archives. The tour is fun, engaging, well-researched, and insightful, but never dry. I look forward to journeying back in time with you! We do not visit La Cité (The medieval castle) We meet at the restaurant the Brasserie de 4 Temps.
Tour Options
Itinerary
GUIDED WALKING TOUR WITH ENGLISH GUIDE. Repression and Resistance. Walk the streets of Carcassonne between places that have a strong link with World War 2 and journey back in time to discover what life was like in the town between 1939 and 1945. The journey is brought alive by the guide’s detailed knowledge and B&W photos from the time. The Fall of France The occupied and non-occupied zone The invasion of the Free Zone Rationing The Milice S.T.O. The spectrum of resistance The spectrum of collaboration The liberation Post-war purges National heroes, local heroes, and forgotten heroes.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(150)
A superb 10/10 guided walking tour of Carcassonne focusing on the city during World War II. Poul is an exceptionally engaging guide with an impressive depth of knowledge and a remarkable ability to bring history to life. Throughout the tour, he made it easy to picture the events, people and atmosphere of the time. Poul created a warm and friendly atmosphere and involved the entire group. The tour is perfect for adults and young people, and would certainly also work very well for school groups and upper secondary classes. Poul is an outstanding storyteller and guide. We have already recommended the tour to friends and family.
The walking tour around the centre of Carcassonne - the Bastide Saint-Louis not the Cité Médiévale - vividly brought to life some of the experiences of the citizens of Carcassonne during the Second World War. Illustrated by fascinating archive photographs the tour will appeal to anyone interested in France during ‘Les années noires’. Paul is a lively and engaging guide. Thank you, Paul !
Paul is an articulate, clear-speaking (vital as I wear hearing aids) Englishman who is thoroughly familiar with the subject matter of Carcasonne in WW II. His numerous pictures correlated well. The walking between sites was steady, neither hurried nor dragging, with breaks and shady spots (it was a VERY hot and sunny day).
Book this tour ! This gentleman is knowledgeable, interesting and truly makes the history you learn into a story you feel engaging. Bringing it full circle in the end. We are already reading the book he recommended.
This was probably one of the best tours we have been on through Viator. Paul was our guide for 2 1/4 hours of the history of WW2 in Carcassonne told through pictures and old photographs. We learned about the bravery of the Resistance and local hero’s including Catholic Priests as well as about Collaborators and the Milice ( a new force of military and police working for the Nazis ) Our guide Paul was exceptional. He was also a guide for trips over the Pyrenees which brought to life the bravery of those who guided Jews and resistance and pilots who had crashed nearby over the Pyrenees to safety in Spain called Passeurs. It is an easy walk and brilliant value for money. We learned such a lot thanks to Paul. Lest we never forget. Many thanks from Gary & Julie aka Beagle & Boffin ( to find out why these names you need to do the tour! )
Thankyou Beagle and Boffin ! I really enjoyed this little 'private' tour with both of you.
Paul knows his stuff, the history of Carcassonne must not be forgotten and Paul keeps it alive 100%. His knowledge is extensive and he loves being challenged - à proper historian whose knowledge is intense but he’s still investigating. As an honours degree history graduate, that’s what you want. Passionate interest. And that’s what you get. Plus he’s a really nice guy. My first C.O. Was the professor Lt Col Richard Holmes of War Walks fame. À black belt on WW1 & WW2 history - Paul is in his field. Recommended beyond doubt but extend your tour by asking questions, as he says, no such thing as a stupid question, he loves it. Thirty eight years as an army officer and Vichy France and the inhumanity of the Germans is beyond me. It always will be. A fantastic tour Merci Paul. I will buy you a grand vin rouge when we rendezvous next. We will remember.
That is a great review ! Thank you very much for finding the time to leave such detailed feedback. Good luck with your new life in Carcassonne !
Really enjoyed learning about the history of Carcassonne during WWII. Our guide was informative, engaging, and helped brought so much more to our trip to carcassonne. I gained a lot more appreciation for what this area went through during that time. Highly recommend it!
A worthwhile and very interesting tour with Paul , highly recommend it ! A very informative and interactive tour, taking us back in time and appreciating the heroes and heroines who will always be remembered.
Very intelligent and knowledgeable guide. Even though the weather was hot at 37degrees, my partner managed to engage the whole time. I learnt so much and I would 100% recommend this tour with Paul. We saw parts of carcassonne that we would never normally have seen.
A fantastic tour. Paul was a great engaging guide and we heard and learnt so many interesting things that we wouldn’t have known about from walking round Carcassone ourselves. Highly recommend this if you’re interested in how WW11 impacted this area of France and the heroic people that emerged. Really interesting stuff about the Pyrenean escape lines. Thanks Paul.
