A WWII French Resistance museum in Paris has re-opened with access to an original underground bunker

A museum with a very long name has just re-opened in a brand new location in Paris and it will tell the story of the people who risked their lives to join the French Resistance.

Musée de la Libération de Paris-Musée du Général Leclerc-Musée Jean Moulin — A museum telling the story of the French Resistance in Paris has re-opened. Image: Pierre Antoine

Previously situated above the Gare Montparnasse, Le Musée de la Liberation de Paris - Musée du Général Leclerc - Musée Jean Moulin is now located in the 14th Arrondissement. It is housed in the 18th-century Ledoux pavilions on Place Denfert-Rochereau and the adjacent 19th-century building, and aims to let visitors share three historic aspects of World War II. It focuses on Philippe Leclerc de Hauteclocque and Jean Moulin, two key leaders of French resistance forces, and the liberation of the French capital 75 years ago in August 1944.

View of the museum on Place Denfert-Rochereau — The museum is housed in the 18th-century Ledoux pavilions on Place Denfert-Rochereau. Image: Pierre Antoine

The exhibition immerses visitors in the situations experienced by Moulin and Leclerc and the choices that faced them during the war. The layout is chronological, covering the men's careers and the events that led up to the liberation of France, most powerfully symbolised by Paris. It pays tribute to the men and women from all walks of life who opted for resistance, told through more than than 300 artefacts, personal items, audiovisual archival material, uniforms and documents.

Artefacts at the French Resistance museum in Paris — The story is told through more than than 300 artefacts and personal items. Image: Pierre Antoine

A striking feature of the exhibition is the visit to the civil defence shelter, located 20 metres under the museum. Visitors descend 100 steps to where Colonel Henri Rol-Tanguy, his wife and staff hid out to orchestrate the liberation of Paris. For an even more immersive experience, the museum offers a visit with mixed reality HoloLens smart glasses.

The steps down to Colonel Rol-Tanguy’s underground command post. Image: Pierre Antoine

Admission to the permanent exhibition and underground bunker is free, and mixed reality tours will be offered free of charge during the first month of the museum’s opening. Besides the permanent exhibition, there are also temporary exhibitions that carry an extra charge. The first one is entitled Parisians during the 1940 exodus and will open on 27 February 2020.

People looking around the new museum in Paris — Admission to the permanent exhibition and underground bunker is free, Image: Pierre Antoine

For further information on the Musée de la Libération de Paris - Musée du Général Leclerc - Musée Jean Moulin, please visit the museum's website here.