Description

One of the most famous people in the world came to tour the city of Paris for the first time on June 28 1940 Over the next three hours he rode through the citys streets stopping to tour LOpra Paris He rode down the Champslyses toward the Trocadero and the Eiffel Tower where he had his picture taken After passing through the Arc de Triomphe he toured the Pantheon and old medieval churches though he did not manage to see the Louvre or the Palace of Justice Heading back to the airport he told his staff It was the dream of my life to be permitted to see Paris I cannot say how happy I am to have that dream fulfilled today Four years after his tour Adolf Hitler would order the citys garrison commander General Dietrich von Choltitz to destroy Paris warning his subordinate that the city must not fall into the enemys hand except lying in complete debris