many questions about life in occupied france

[MCinPgh]

I am fascinated about occupied France that I am considering writing a fiction novel about the topic,  understanding that the novel will probably only be read by myself and friends, nonetheless I am looking for information about the following:

1.  Life of working class Parisians from 1939 - 1945 (before and after occupation):  ex:  what kind of establishments would they drink in and what kinds of drinks. where they would get their news, etc...

2. about parisian shopowners, would they normally live behind their shops and would they rent their shop from a landlord

3. any and all pictures of architecture such as shops and average people in Paris, I have found a few searching google but am looking for a more extensive collection.  This will help me gain a visual appreciation of the period.

4. any information or memoirs about the police in France, they life, routine, uniforms.  did the curfew apply to them?  I read about them in "Is Paris Burning", the police joined the uprising.

I have read Irene Nemirovsky and Alan Furst but they deal more with intellectuals and upper class and I'm more interested in the average working class Parisian.  I'm in the process of finding books online about the topic.

sorry so many questions, more to follow probably.

thanks

MC

[Cendrillon]

Jean Dutourd's book  AU BON BEURRE, paints a very good picture of  the life of a shop keeper and family in war time Paris. The book was recommended by a French friend, an elderly lady who lived in Paris during the war. She says it is very true to life as it was then.

Also: this book by Agnes Humbert is excellent

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Resistance-Memoirs-Occupied-Translated-Barbara/dp/0747596743/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1304452267&sr=1-3

[MCinPgh]

thanks for the feedback.

Humbert book will be a new edition to my small library very soon, finding an English translation of the Dutourd book might prove to be a challenge, though.

MC

[idun]

Au Bon Beurre was also a tv series with Roger Hanin, it was excellent, worth watching if you can get a copy.

[Cendrillon]

I have a DVD of  Au Bon Beurre  also a battered copy of the book, both are in French.

Re.  "Resistance" by Agnes Humbert, I borrowed the book from my U.K. library. It's a really good read and tells how she worked for the resistance, was captured and sent to work as forced labour in Germany.