Ephemeride guide - activities

Ephemeris of October 15 in Paris: Mata Hari's execution in the Bois de Vincennes

On October 15, 1917, Mata Hari was shot by the French authorities in the Bois de Vincennes. Successively courtesan, oriental dancer, spy and double agent, she was sentenced to death for intelligence with the enemy at the end of a summary trial.

Ephemeris for October 9 in Paris: The opening of the Jardin d'Acclimatation in the Bois de Boulogne

On Tuesday, October 9, 1860, the Jardin d'Acclimatation opened its doors in the Bois de Boulogne. This immense green space, with its scientific, entertaining and educational vocation, quickly became a favorite haunt of Parisians, who came to marvel at exotic animals and plants, as well as tribes from faraway lands. The Jardin d'Acclimatation suffered many setbacks during the various wars, and later became an amusement park where families still enjoy having fun today.

August 31st Paris Ephemeris: Lady Diana's fatal accident in the Pont de l'Alma tunnel

On August 31, 1997, after a frantic chase through the streets of Paris with paparazzi, Princess Lady Diana died in a tragic car accident in the Pont de l'Alma tunnel.

Ephemeris for August 21 in Paris: First deadly Resistance attack on the Barbès metro station

On August 21, 1941, the Resistance carried out the first murderous attack in Paris against the German forces that had occupied the capital for over a year. Pierre Georges, who was to become Colonel Fabien, shot a Kriegsmarine soldier twice in the Barbès-Rochechouart metro station.

Ephemeris of August 19 in Paris: The Liberation of Paris

From August 19 to 25, 1944, Paris was finally liberated from German occupation. It was the triumph of the Allies and fighting France, and the establishment of General de Gaulle as leader of a liberated and victorious France.

Ephemeris for August 17: Last convoy of deportees and closure of the Drancy camp

On August 17, 1944, the last convoy of deportees left the Drancy camp for Buchenwald. The following day, 1,467 prisoners were liberated.

History fact: it happened on August 18 in Paris, Henry IV’s wedding at Notre-Dame de Paris

On August 18, 1572, Henry of Navarre – future king Henry IV – marries Marguerite of Valois – or Queen Margot – the Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral. An alliance by way of reconciliation between the Catholic and the Protestant Churches that will lead to the St. Bartholomew’s Day massacre in spite of everything.

Ephemeris of August 16 in Paris: Resistance fighters ambushed in the Bois de Boulogne

On August 16, 1944, a few days before the Liberation of Paris, French Resistance fighters were ambushed in the Bois de Boulogne and shot by SS officers and French Gestapo agents.

Ephemeris for August 15 in Paris: Laying the foundation stone of the Arc de Triomphe

On August 15, 1806, the first stone was laid for the Arc de Triomphe, built by order of Napoleon 1st to commemorate the victories of the French armies.

Ephemeris for August 14th in Paris: Willy Ronis' birth at the foot of the Butte Montmartre

On August 14, 1910, Willy Ronis was born at the foot of the Butte Montmartre. In love with Paris, the photographer spent his life capturing scenes of everyday Parisian life with tenderness and poetry, preferring snapshots taken in the moment to staged images.

Ephemeris for August 13 in Paris: Eugène Delacroix's death, rue de Furstemberg

On August 13, 1863, the painter Eugène Delacroix breathed his last in his apartment on rue de Furstemberg, in the 6th arrondissement of Paris.

Ephemeris of August 11 in Paris: The total solar eclipse of 1999

On August 11, 1999, in Paris and the rest of France, the Moon totally eclipsed the Sun for just under 3 minutes. It was the last total eclipse of the 20th century, and also of the second millennium.

Ephemeris of August 12 in Paris: Creation of the Gaumont film company

On August 12, 1895, Gaumont was founded by Léon Gaumont, who had no idea that he had just created the oldest film production company in history.

Ephemeris for August 8: Signing of the Saint-Germain-en-Laye peace edict

Signed on August 8, 1570, the Treaty of Peace of Saint-Germain-en-Laye put an end to the third French War of Religion, then in progress for two years, and granted Protestants freedom of worship within a territorial limit, as well as four cities of safety. However, the peace was short-lived, culminating in the resumption of conflicts between Catholics and Protestants two years later, on the night of St. Bartholomew's Day.

Ephemeris of August 10 in Paris: Sans-Culottes seize the Tuileries Palace

On August 10, 1792, the Sans-Culottes stormed the Tuileries Palace in a bloody day that sounded the death knell for royalty and monarchy in France.

August 9 ephemeris: The last shell fired by Big Bertha on Paris

On August 9, 1918, the Big Bertha fired a final shell at Paris, bringing to an end 4 months of incessant bombardment of the capital. A veritable weapon of psychological warfare, this German army artillery piece had a range of 128km, a record for the time.

Ephemeris for August 7 in Paris: Aviator Charles Godefroy flies under the Arc de Triomphe

On August 7, 1919, French aviator Charles Godefroy achieved the feat of flying under the Arc de Triomphe, to the astonishment of Parisians.

On the trail of Paris's most notorious criminals and serial killers

Follow in the footsteps of Paris's most notorious criminals and serial killers, in our company. From Landru to Guy Georges, the "killer of Eastern Paris", not forgetting Doctor Petiot and the Cabard and Miquelon duo, discover the dark side of the capital over the centuries and along the streets.