Paris has been at the centre of European politics, revolution, and resistance for over two centuries.
This post highlights six key days that reshaped not just France, but the world – and shows you exactly where to go if you want to follow the story on foot (like I did in this YouTube video).
It includes Google Maps links and practical tips for each location.
How to use this guide
- Each section includes a date, a brief explanation of what happened, and the key Paris locations featured in the video.
- Museums generally require an entrance fee.
- Use the map at the end of the post to see the full walking route and plan your own version of the walk.
21 January 1793 – The execution of Louis XVI
The French monarchy ended in Place de la Concorde with the public execution of Louis XVI, after years of growing discontent, financial collapse, and revolutionary pressure.
Where to go:
- Place de la Concorde – Site of the king’s execution. Stand near the obelisk to get a sense of the scale and spectacle that defined this pivotal day.
- Conciergerie – The prison where Marie Antoinette was held before her execution, and the processing point for thousands of others during the Revolution.
( Extra date: 14 July 1789 – The storming of the Bastille)
Seen as the symbolic start of the French Revolution, the storming of the Bastille showed the monarchy had lost its grip. The prison was nearly empty, but its fall sent a powerful message – guards were also executed and their heads displayed on pikes as a grisly warning.
Where to go:
- Place de la Bastille – Once home to the Bastille prison, now marked by a commemorative column.
- Square Henri-Galli – A few minutes’ walk away, this small park preserves a visible section of the original Bastille walls.
2 December 1804 – Napoleon crowns himself Emperor
Just 11 years after the monarchy fell, Napoleon Bonaparte declared himself Emperor – not by being crowned, but by placing the crown on his own head. It happened in the heart of Paris and marked the start of a new kind of authoritarian rule.
Where to go:
- Notre-Dame Cathedral – The coronation took place here, with the pope present but sidelined.
- Les Invalides – Today, this is where you’ll find Napoleon’s tomb. The complex also houses a vast military museum. You can explore the outside of the complex for free, but entry is €17 (and includes all museums).
- Arc de Triomphe – Commissioned by Napoleon to celebrate his military victories, including Austerlitz. It was later repurposed as a World War I memorial and now houses the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The outside is free, but ascending the arc is €23,50.
28 June 1919 – The Treaty of Versailles is signed
The First World War formally ended with the Treaty of Versailles. Though the signing took place outside the city at the Palace of Versailles, the diplomacy and negotiations were centred in Paris.
Where to go:
- Avenue Kléber – Home to several hotels and embassies where key delegates stayed and negotiated.
- Palace of Versailles (optional day trip) – Where the treaty was signed. Worth visiting if you want the full picture.
14 June 1940 – Paris falls to Nazi occupation
German troops entered Paris largely unopposed. While the Vichy government collaborated with the Nazis, resistance networks also began to grow. Tens of thousands of Jewish residents were deported during the occupation.
Where to go:
- Mémorial de la Shoah – France’s main Holocaust memorial, listing the names of the 76,000 Jewish victims deported from France. There is also a small museum. Entry is free.
- Jardin Mémorial des Enfants du Vel d’Hiv – A quiet space honouring the 4,000 children detained during the 1942 Vel’ d’Hiv roundup.
18 April 1951 – Treaty of Paris creates post-war unity
Determined to avoid another conflict like the two World Wars, six countries signed the Treaty of Paris in 1951. It created the European Coal and Steel Community, the foundation of what would later become the European Union.
Where to go:
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Quai d’Orsay) – Signing location of the treaty that kickstarted European integration.
- Trocadéro – A fitting viewing point over modern Paris and symbol of the post-war shift towards unity.
10 May 1968 – Night of the Barricades
Student protests against outdated education systems and social inequality escalated into nationwide strikes. For a moment, the French government lost control, and ideas from these protests reverberated around the world.
Where to go:
- Latin Quarter (Sorbonne area) – Core of the student protests, where barricades were built and clashes took place.
- Boulevard Saint-Michel – Main protest route and focal point of the May 1968 uprising.
If you enjoyed this guide, you’ll definitely want to watch the full video on YouTube to see the sites in context – complete with historical commentary and on-location insights.
You can also follow along on TikTok and Instagram, where I share regular overland journeys, historical deep dives, and travel tips from across Europe and beyond.
