What Was Hitler's Plan for Paris? The Shocking Truth Revealed

The Initial Nazi Vision for Paris

So, let’s dive straight into the history you might not know (or maybe it’s stuff you’ve heard but never fully understood). When Hitler took power in 1933, he had grand plans, right? But what about Paris? The city of lights, love, and culture. You’d think Hitler, as the quintessential villain of WWII, would have had something drastic in mind for Paris, wouldn't you?

Well, in a way, he did. Paris wasn’t just any city for Hitler. It was an emblem of everything he despised: the French, their culture, and their resistance to Nazi ideals. His plan for Paris was one of domination, but it wasn’t just about military conquest. The vision was far more insidious.

The Concept of Paris as a Trophy

Paris, to Hitler, wasn’t just an occupied city. It was a symbol of the Nazi regime’s superiority. At one point, he even envisioned turning it into a “museum of the vanquished.” (Yeah, sounds horrifying, right?) According to some of his plans, Paris would be completely altered—its identity erased. The Germanization of Paris would have been a long-term project, which meant not only a military takeover but a complete transformation of its culture, architecture, and even the people.

Now, I remember having this conversation with a friend recently—he’s obsessed with WWII history—and we debated whether or not Hitler truly wanted to destroy Paris or if he saw it as a prize. The answer, in my view, is both. Paris was, in the short term, a trophy; in the long term, it was to serve as a demonstration of Nazi power and control. But more on that later.

The Nazi Occupation: A Brutal Reality

Hitler’s plans weren’t just confined to the drawing board. Once the Nazis actually occupied Paris in June 1940, the city was placed under harsh occupation. French civilians were subjected to curfews, deportations, and violence. But there was a catch—the Nazis didn’t want to destroy the city outright. No, that wouldn’t suit their ambitions.

Instead, they used Paris as a propaganda tool. Hitler’s vision was that Paris would serve as a kind of showcase for the Nazi regime. It would stand as an example of how the Nazis could conquer and tame the most sophisticated cities in Europe.

But there was something else going on, too. Behind the scenes, the Nazis were secretly looting Paris. From artwork to precious artifacts, everything of value was taken, often sent back to Germany for “safekeeping.” Did you know that the Louvre, that iconic museum you probably think of immediately, was emptied during the occupation? Yep, entire collections were looted or hidden away, and this wasn’t just about military resources. It was cultural theft on an unimaginable scale.

The Vision for Architecture and Urban Planning

Now, here’s where it gets even weirder. Hitler’s architect, Albert Speer, had an audacious plan to redesign Paris. Not only would Nazi soldiers march triumphantly down the Champs-Élysées, but there were grand plans to build massive buildings that symbolized Nazi dominance. The idea was to remake the city in the image of the Third Reich, with structures as monumental as the Berlin Olympic Stadium.

Honestly, when I first heard about this, I was kind of taken aback. The scale of it all was staggering. They wanted to replace iconic Parisian landmarks with towering buildings, with a giant dome over the city to represent Nazi victory. Imagine the Eiffel Tower dwarfed by a monstrous new structure that represented their ideology.

And yet, as crazy as it sounds, these were serious plans. But did it ever happen? Well, no. Fortunately, Hitler’s vision was never realized—Paris was liberated before any of this could come to pass.

The Escape of Hitler's Plans: What Could Have Been

I’ll be honest with you, after reading all this, I had a moment of doubt about just how far Hitler’s ambitions really stretched. Was Paris really in danger of being destroyed, or was the plan simply too grandiose? I mean, considering how much the Nazis loved the idea of "conquering" cities, it’s hard to say. Some historians even suggest that Hitler was initially hesitant to destroy Paris out of respect for its cultural significance. But then again, he wasn’t exactly known for respecting anything.

What I find truly fascinating, though, is how close the Nazis came to completely reimagining Paris as a showcase of their own twisted vision. If Paris had fallen earlier or been left under Nazi control longer, would we have seen the Eiffel Tower covered in Nazi propaganda, or worse, torn down to make way for one of Hitler’s “ideal” designs? Who knows. Thankfully, we’ll never have to find out.

Could the Plan Have Actually Worked?

In hindsight, it seems utterly insane that such a large-scale transformation of Paris was even considered. But, oddly enough, the Nazis thought they could pull it off. Imagine, an entire world-class city reduced to nothing more than a political statement. It makes you question how some of these delusional leaders thought their twisted visions could come true.

But here's the kicker: Even if Hitler's plans had come to fruition, I doubt it would have lasted long. Paris, with its deep history and cultural weight, has always been a symbol of resilience. Even under occupation, the city found ways to resist.

The Aftermath: Paris Reborn

When the Allies liberated Paris in August 1944, Hitler’s grand vision for the city crumbled. In the end, he was never able to remake Paris into a “Nazi utopia” or transform it into the monumental symbol he dreamed of. Paris had, in fact, outlived the Nazi regime.

For me, it’s wild to think about how close the Nazis came to changing the very fabric of this iconic city. It's a reminder that even the most frightening plans can be thwarted by the resilience of a people—and the luck of history.

So, next time you’re strolling down the Champs-Élysées, think about this: Paris wasn’t just a city to conquer. It was a city that almost became the embodiment of Hitler's twisted dream, only to survive and thrive once again. What a relief, right?

Is 165 cm normal for a 15 year old?

The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.

Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?

How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).

How tall is a average 15 year old?

Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years

How to get taller at 18?

Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.

Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?

Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).

Can you grow between 16 and 18?

Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.

Can you grow 1 cm after 17?

Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.