Private Nice WWII Walking Tour: Occupation & Liberation｜France

Discover how Nice experienced the Second World War, from the fall of France and the Vichy regime to occupation, persecution, Resistance and Liberation.

Begin your tour at the Mairie de Nice, where you will explore the city's situation before the war, the Phoney War, the fall of France in 1940 and the establishment of the Vichy regime.

Continue to the Palais de la Préfecture, where you will learn how the authorities governed Nice during the war and how political life changed under Vichy.

Walk through Cours Saleya, the Opéra and Place Masséna to discover what daily life was like during the occupation. Learn about restrictions, shortages and the arrival of Italian forces in 1942, followed by the collapse of Italy in 1943. Learn about the German Occupation.

Stop at the Hôtel Negresco and along the Promenade des Anglais to discover how the Riviera's hotels and coastline were affected by the war. Learn about the defensive installations built along the coast during the German occupation.

Continue through the city to discover how the war affected everyday life in Nice, including restrictions on movement, shortages and the transformation of familiar landmarks.

At the Mur des Déportés, explore the history of Nice's Jewish community before and during the war, the persecution of Jews under the occupation and the deportations.

Finally, visit the Mur des Justes to learn about the Resistance, the Marcel Network and the final stages of the war, before discovering how Nice was liberated.

This tour connects the major events of the Second World War with the streets, buildings and memorials of Nice, giving you a different perspective on the city and its history.