It is already one of the world’s most iconic cities, but this incredible collection shows how much Paris has changed over the course of the past century. The collection, by French photographer Julien Knez, shows Paris in the 1940s against a backdrop of how the same places look today. Knez says he put the striking collection together to celebrate the 71st anniversary of the city’s liberation from Nazi control in August 1944. Here: Soldiers outside the Hotel De Ville in the 1940s. (Photo by Julien Knez/Caters News)

The love padlocks, called cadenas d’amour, multiplied until there were thousands of love tokens on the bridge, each engraved with a message of love. (Photo by Charles Platiau/Reuters)

Participants take part in the Color Run near the Eiffel Tower in Paris April 19, 2015. The Color Run is a five-kilometre race, held in cities across the U.S. and also worldwide, with the aim of promoting healthy living and to benefit a charity that organizers choose in each of the cities that the run visits. Participants are doused from head to toe in different colors at each kilometre. (Photo by Benoit Tessier/Reuters)

A model presents a creation by French designer Jean Paul Gaultier as part of his Spring/Summer 2015 women's ready-to-wear collection during Paris Fashion Week September 27, 2014. (Photo by Gonzalo Fuentes/Reuters)

A model presents a creation by designers Humberto Leon and Carol Lim as part of their Autumn/Winter 2015/2016 women's ready-to-wear collection for Japanese fashion house Kenzo during Paris Fashion Week March 8, 2015. (Photo by Gonzalo Fuentes/Reuters)

Paris Fashion Week, Spring/Summer 2014 Haute Couture collection by Charlie Le Mindu. (Photo by Yoan Valat/EPA)

Singer Karima Charni walks the runway during the Chocolate fashion show as a part of the Salon Du Chocolat 2015 – Chocolate Fair at Parc des Expositions Porte de Versailles on October 27, 2015 in Paris, France. (Photo by Kay-Paris Fernandes/WireImage)

Singer Madonna performs during her concert at the AccorHotels Arena in Paris, France, December 9, 2015, on her Rebel Heart Tour. (Photo by Benoit Tessier/Reuters)