Dijon Then And Now

Last year, archeology student, Pierre Mazille, found some vintage photos of what his hometown of Dijon looked like during WWII, and decided to update them, 21^st century-style. We love the difference that seven decades has made.

Here are Pierre’s photos, along with his accompanying comments;

German troops gather in front of the Palace of the Dukes of Burgundy on June 17th, 1940. Today the Palace is still the town hall, and a major tourist spot.

Luftwaffe headquarters. Now a simple building with a florist.

German officers posing in front of the Fountain at Parc Darcy.

The main street, with Guillaume’s Gate in the back.

My grandfather, wanted by the Germans, used to work with a fake ID in a bakery in this exact same street.

A soldier posing in front of what used to be a butcher shop.

The post office, displaying a massive flag after Dijon’s Liberation.

On September 11th 1944, Allied troops finally enter the city and go through the main street.

Free French Forces, aboard Shermans, arrive in front of the Palace. The square is renamed Liberation Square for the occasion.

We’d like to thank Pierre for doing such a magnificent job!