During the Battle of France, the Luftwaffe bombs Paris.
In June 1940, during the German invasion of France in World War II, the Luftwaffe conducted several bombing raids on Paris, though the scale and intensity were relatively limited compared to other cities like London or Warsaw. By this point, German forces were rapidly advancing, and much of the French military defense had already collapsed. On June 3, the Luftwaffe launched its most significant air assault on the city, targeting industrial and railway infrastructure to disrupt communication and sow panic. Civilian casualties and property damage did occur, but Paris was not subjected to prolonged aerial bombardment. This was partly strategic: the Germans aimed to preserve the cultural and political value of the city, which they intended to occupy. When German forces entered Paris on June 14, 1940, it was declared an open city—meaning it would not be defended militarily—to avoid further destruction and loss of civilian life.