The last peaceful summer of pre-war Paris, 1939

These photos, this year marks 80 years. They did the LIFE magazine photographer William VanDiver during his prewar trip to the French capital. People in the pictures do not suspect that this is the last peaceful summer of Paris, and very soon their life changes.

1. Such was Paris in July 1939. Who know the place?

2. Cars of the Vendome column.

3. Autopatch wraps around the arc de Triomphe.

4. Ibid.

5. Advertising the National lottery.

6. This cosy cafes Parisians going to spend the entire occupation. Only, perhaps, they had to drink ersatz coffee instead of natural.

7. Flower market.

8. At first thought it was a flea market in the Warsaw ghetto, but was too pre-war Paris.

9. And this is a classic - stands booksellers at Notre Dame. It seems there is now trade books.

10.

11. Concorde

12. Parade on the occasion of Bastille Day on July 14. Less than a year on the Champs Elysees will March the Germans.