He fled with his wife, daughter, and granddaughter to a small village near Toulouse where they lived in hiding for the remainder of the war. It was there (and despite his failing eyesight) that Hauser completed his final book, a study of the economic thought of Richelieu. With the liberation of France in 1944 Hauser and his family moved to Montpellier, hoping to return to Paris once an apartment could be found.
He retreated with his wife, daughter, and granddaughter to a small village near Toulouse where they lived in concealment until the conclusion of the war. It was there (and despite his declining sight) that Hauser finished his final publication, an examination of Richelieu's economic concepts. With France's liberation in 1944, Hauser and his family relocated to Montpellier, with the goal of returning to Paris once a suitable residence could be secured.