20 Colorized Photos That Bring the Old Days of Paris to Life

History Travel April 3, 2025

Paris has long since been a city that’s filled to the brim with romance, art, and history. When one colorizes photos that trace back to the early days of Paris, you’re able to enjoy a whole new dimension to the timeless charm of Paris. Colorization does manage to add an unprecedented richness to vintage photos that are already captivating. This collection of colorized photos of Paris in its earlier days speaks for itself.

1. July, 1929, Paris. Women having a drink during a heat wave.

Three women in 1920s fashion share a large drink with straws at a round, outdoor café table. They wear cloche hats and coats; the scene has a vintage, lively ambiance with blurred background lights.
morganmonroe81

Nothing like enjoyed a refreshing, iced beverage back in the Paris of olden times.

2. American soldiers gazing at the Eiffel Tower with French flag restored after liberating Paris, August 1944

A vintage military jeep with three soldiers in helmets is parked in front of the Eiffel Tower. One soldier is looking through binoculars. The sky is clear and blue.
alexylim

And what a sight that was to behold.

3. German and Soviet Pavilions at the 1937 World Expo in Paris

The image shows the Eiffel Tower looming over a crowded public space in Paris. The sky is clear and blue. Surrounding buildings and statues are visible, and a fountain is in the foreground, with people gathered around.
glimpsesintothepast

Feels like you can almost hold it all in the palm of your hand.

4. This family photo was taken in Paris, France, circa 1914-1915

A vintage photo shows five people posing outside. A man in a suit stands next to a seated woman holding a child. Another man sits beside them, and a woman stands to his side. They are in front of a building with windows.
memorylanepr

Why so serious, guys?

5. Lauren Bacall and Humphrey Bogart in Paris, 1950s

A woman and a man sit at an outdoor cafe table. The woman wears a gray dress with puffed sleeves, and the man wears a brown hat and checkered suit with a blue bow tie. A waiter is in the background, and a table is set with drinks and a carafe.
ectheow3

Humphrey looking decked out as ever.

6. A Day in 1930s Paris

A group of well-dressed people in 1940s-style clothing sits at outdoor café tables, smiling and talking. They have drinks and straws on the tables. The scene is lively, with a mix of men and women in hats, against a backdrop of trees and buildings.
zilofi

Those social outings gathered over tasty beverages back in the day in Paris must’ve been something magical.

7. Mother and daughter of the 60s. Here’s Ingrid Bergman (1915-1982) and her daughter Isabella Rosellini (1952-) on a street in Paris

A woman and a girl walk arm in arm on a vintage street. The woman wears a green plaid suit and the girl has a green coat over an orange outfit. A yellow car is parked nearby. The scene feels retro, with muted colors and classic style.
alexylim

Now that’s an impressive green fit if I’ve ever seen one.

8. Masked newspaper seller in Paris, 1929

A busy street scene from the past shows men wearing early 20th-century attire, including coats and hats. One man energetically sells newspapers, while others walk by or read. Vintage cars and ornate lampposts line the foggy street.
lady2742

What an impressive shot.

9. Paris, 1958. Live from the Saint Louis Island: Yvan Audouard interviews customers of a bar playing cards outside

A group of people gathered around a table outside a café on Rue Saint Louis en l'Ile, Paris. They appear engaged in conversation, with a motorbike parked nearby. The scene is lively with a warm light emanating from the café's interior.
guil92

These guys don’t look like they’re taking themselves too seriously, and that’s the best part.

10. A woman sat with her pet cheetah while having tea at a Bois de Boulogne cafe, Paris, 1963.

A group of people in early 20th-century attire sit at an outdoor cafe. Among them, a woman in a red coat is accompanied by a cheetah sitting on the ground beside her. Wicker chairs and tables are arranged on the gravel surface.
genesis916

If you’re hanging out with your pet cheetah over a cup of tea in a Parisian café, it seems like you must be doing something right.

11. A French Resistance fighter rests against a barricade made of stones from the streets of Paris, August, 1944

A man wearing a military uniform with a bandolier of bullets rests against a stack of bricks. He appears thoughtful, with tousled hair, and there's a white and red armband on his left sleeve. The image has a vintage feel.
rwwhite20

Those days must’ve felt endless at certain points.

12. Paris in the winter of 1944

Two people in winter clothing joyfully run through a snowy landscape with the Eiffel Tower looming in the foggy background. Their expressions convey excitement and happiness amidst a serene, wintry setting.

Winters in Paris can be a truly special experience.

13. French resistance barricade, Paris, 1944

A group of people stands behind sandbags on a narrow street. The central figure in a green jacket sits atop the bags, surrounded by others in casual attire, with one holding a rifle. Buildings and a cafe sign are visible in the background.
mortemskz

This guy looks especially locked in.

14. Salvador Dali on a motorcycle in his hotel room in Paris

A man in a tuxedo sits on an ornate motorcycle inside an opulently decorated room with vintage furniture, a patterned carpet, and plants. The scene combines classic and eccentric elements.
fratuzzi

Salvador Dali always knew how to take an iconic photo.

15. Gardens at the Third Paris World’s Fair, 1878

A historical scene with the head of the Statue of Liberty on display in a garden setting. The background features an ornate, domed building adorned with French flags. People walk on pathways, and a hot air balloon is visible in the sky.
burritowraps76

Looks to be a beautiful day out in the gardens in Paris.

16. Paris in the May of 1917

Two men sit at a small round table outside a cafe, with a dog resting at their feet, on a wooden cart. A filled wine bottle is on their table. The background features storefronts and a person in motion. A horse partially enters the frame on the right.
anonymous

That dog is having a wonderful time by the looks of it.

17. Suzy Vernon, Marlene Dietrich and Imperio Argentina, Paris, 1931

Three women in 1920s attire stand smiling. One in a floral dress and wide-brim hat, another in a navy suit and green hat, the third in a brown fur coat and pink cloche. The setting is outdoors, with a blurred forest in the background.
mortemskpr

Now those are some impressive fits.

18. WW1 Zeppelin LZ 49 attacks Paris, is damaged, crashes on the return journey and is captured, 1916

A large airship rests on the ground in a grassy area surrounded by trees. Several people, dressed in early 20th-century clothing, stand nearby observing it. The scene has a vintage and historical feel, with muted colors.
jabbalechat

It looks like its airtime exploits were short-lived.

19. Paris, 1930, Charbonnier

A person wearing a hooded jacket carries a large burlap sack on their shoulder. They have an expression of effort and concentration. The background is blurred, indicating an outdoor setting.
xmarie28

He seems truly unburdened by the load he’s carrying on his back.

20. Photojournalist Lee Miller During the Liberation of Rennes, France (August 1944)

A person in a blue uniform stands among soldiers on a rocky terrain. The individual is holding a notepad and has a camera bag. Soldiers in helmets observe the surroundings, and a soldier in the background holds a rifle. The sky is overcast.
jaredanderson

Now that’s a stunning look of pure determination and grit.

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