After an exhibition in Spring 2008 that sparked controversy, here’s a new one that explains how Parisians dealt with (and fought against) daily life in a city occupied by nazis. Four years explained in ten themes…

A city transformed. From 1940 to 1944, Parisians experienced something that they would never want to repeat, but do we really appreciate what their lives were like on a daily basis? This exhibition attempts to explain, and is split into 10 sections:

1- The ordinary transformed. Public spaces were spectacularly changed (as shown in the poster for the event)
2- The German presence
3- The collaborators of Paris. How some of chic society showed their nazi sentiments
4- Antisemitism
5- Adapting daily life. Sports, cultural and school activities managed to continue in face of adversity
6- Hungry Paris, cold Paris
7- Production. Industry and business were changed to suit the new regime’s needs
8- The war continues
9- Resistances. Graffiti, flyers, underground newspapers…
10- Repression

Place de la Concorde. German signposts being installed. Anon. © Rue des Archives/Tal

The French press release is below for those who speak the language (click ‘fullscreen’ for more comfortable reading).

The Réfectoire des Cordeliers is an interesting space not far from our hotels, and the exhibition should be both interesting and moving.

The exhibition Paris 1940 – 44, le quotidien des Parisiens sous l’Occupation is at the Réfectoire des Cordeliers (here) until 10th January 2011.

Open every day from 11am – 7pm (8.30pm Thursdays). Closed 25th December and 1st January. Closes at 4.30pm on 24th & 31st December.

Free.