Over a century, Orly has turned from a military station into an international platform open to the world and an innovating enterprise. Created in 1918, Orly was first a military camp and quickly became a major stake during WWII as the place represented much of an interest for the Allies and the Axis. At the end of the war, the US Army Air Forces settled in for two years before the company "Aeroports de Paris" was created in 1945, and the management of the airport given back to the French. Orly finally developed into a commercial gateway, organizing the first transatlantic flights and opening to international airlines. It also became a glamorous spot when American movies were shot there. Today, the airport has grown a real city in itself, becoming the heart of Orly and the business center for a whole community, competitive and innovating. This book is an invitation to journey through the evolution of Orly Airport as a mirror of our history.

Photographer(s): Pierre-Yves Brunaud, Orly Archives