Eiffel Tower: the French flag raised by firefighters in commemoration of the Liberation of Paris (WW2). 25 aug 2024.

On August 25, 1944, six Paris firefighters braved fire from German soldiers to raise the tricolor flag to the top of the Eiffel Tower.
A true symbol of a city of Paris liberating itself from German occupying forces, the Eiffel Tower was adorned with the tricolor flag thanks to the heroic action of a commando of French firefighters on August 25, 1944. At 12 p.m., in a city of Paris shaken by violent fighting, the commando of 6 firefighters under the orders of Captain Lucien Sarniguet (sergeants Henri Duriaux, Pierre Noël, corporal Charles Rouard, firefighters Marcel Conversy, André Taillefer) begins the ascent of the Tower. While intense fighting was taking place at the very foot of the Eiffel Tower, he began to climb the monument, with a hidden flag, under fire from German soldiers who had spotted him. The commando, progressing up the stairs, finally succeeded in hoisting the French flag made with pieces of fabric, instead of the Nazi flag.

This feat is always reminded to our visitors thanks to a plaque installed on a wall of the passageway at the upper level of the top of the Eiffel Tower! It was a well-deserved personal revenge for Captain Sarniguet who was the one who had to remove the French flag in June 1940.

In the days that followed, American troops installed their transmission service at the top of the Tower, ensuring communications between the Channel ports, England and the allied troops located around Paris. They will stay there for a year.

In July 1945, the American army organized an exhibition in front of the Eiffel Tower where their most impressive flying machines (flying fortresses and gliders) which had fought in Europe were stationed. The elevators were repaired at the Liberation and the Eiffel Tower was reopened for tours for Allied soldiers who could go up for free.