Stunning Photo Overlays Of Paris

This amazing collection of old war-time photographs of Paris shows just how much one of the world’s most iconic cities has changed over the course of the past century. Showing Paris in the 1940s against a backdrop of how the same places look today, the collection was put together by French photographer Julien Knez to celebrate the 71st anniversary of the city’s liberation from Nazi control in August 1944.

eiffel tower photo overlay
The Eiffel Tower in 1940. (Julien Knez/Caters News Agency)
champs elysees photo overlay
President Charles de Gaulle on the Champ Elysees, with the Arc de Triomphe in the background. (Julien Knez/Caters News Agency)
place de la concorde paris photo overlay
Place de la Concorde in the 1940s. (Julien Knez/Caters News Agency)
paris opera house photo overlay
Paris opera house in the 1940s. (Julien Knez/Caters News Agency)
notre dame paris photo overlay
A tank at Notre Dame Cathedral in the 1940s. (Julien Knez/Caters News Agency)
place de la concorde photo overlay
Place de la Concorde in the 1940s. (Julien Knez/Caters News Agency)
place saint michel photo overlay
A burning car in Place Saint-Michel in Paris in the 1940s. (Julien Knez/Caters News Agency)
rus castiglione paris photo overlay
Surrendering soldiers in the Rue de Castiglione. (Julien Knez/Caters News Agency)
paris opera house photo overlay
Paris opera house in the 1940s. (Julien Knez/Caters News Agency)
notre dame photo overlay
Notre Dame Cathedral in the 1940s. (Julien Knez/Caters News Agency)
rue du mail photo overlay
Rue du Mail in the 1940s. (Julien Knez/Caters News Agency)
rue de rivoli paris photo overlay
Rue de Rivoli in the 1940s. (Julien Knez/Caters News Agency)
toilers garden paris photo overlay
A couple embrace in the Tuileries Garden, Paris, in the 1940s. (Julien Knez/Caters News Agency)
place saint michel photo overlay
Pulling up the road in Place Saint-Michel, Paris. (Julien Knez/Caters News Agency)
champs elysees photo overlay
Building on the Champs Elysees in the 1940s. (Julien Knez/Caters News Agency)
hotel de ville paris photo overlay
President de Gaulle at the Hôtel de Ville. (Julien Knez/Caters News Agency)
notre dame paris photo overlay
Notre Dame Cathedral in the 1940s. (Julien Knez/Caters News Agency)
avenue mozart paris photo overlay
Children pose for the camera on Avenue Mozart, Paris, in the 1940s. (Julien Knez/Caters News Agency)
place de la concorde paris photo overlay
Place de la Concorde in the 1940s. (Julien Knez/Caters News Agency)
paris louvre photo overlay
Soldiers outside the Louvre museum in the 1940s. (Julien Knez/Caters News Agency)
paris hotel de ville photo overlay
Soldiers outside the Hotel De Ville in the 1940s. (Julien Knez/Caters News Agency)
place de la république photo overlay
Place de la Republique in the 1940s. (Julien Knez/Caters News Agency)

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