Another building, another photo?? Travelers to Paris wander the streets with their cameras at the ready, taking photographs of the magnificent buildings and structures that envelope them. It’s hard not to become mesmerised by the sheer beauty in front of you.
A friend of mine once said to me “the more one travels to Paris, the more you realise how little you know!”. But I take a more positive line, that the more you travel to Paris, the more you know! Over the many times I have spent in Paris and France I’ve not only seen the buildings (and photographed them), but I’ve learnt the stories that make up the richness of this city. So when I walk through a district of Paris I don’t just see the buildings, I see the people and their stories. I want to share with you one significant location which I can find just 50m from my own apartment – this image is never photographed, but its story is sad and moving – I pass this spot regularly, and it never goes unnoticed.
Young Men Died Protecting Paris
Here was killed on the barricades Rene Vinchon, Keeper of the Peace, 22 August 1944.
Between the 19 and 22 August 1944 young Parisians were desperately trying to protect their city from the retreating Nazis who were threatening to destroy their city, their heritage. All through the Latin Quarter in Paris you can see these plaques on street corners – remembering these young men who were often only boys. This plaque has under it a brass ring – in this ring you are welcome to leave a bouquet of flowers in rememberance. If you are in Paris over the next few weeks remember young Rene at 27 rue St Jacques.
Over the next few weeks I will share other sights of Paris which tell human stories such as this. If you are not already subscribed to this blog and would like to read more stories on France just click on “Email subscription” on this message (which you can also cancel at any time!).
Hi John, I have read your blog, I will look out for that when I am stayingin your apartment soon!
I am reading a book that I am sure you will love – it is very new, I had to order if from the Library. Parisians: an adventure history of Paris by Graham Robb. It is one of the most interesting and wonderful books I have read – every chapter is different, about different times in
Paris, written through different people’s eyes – last night I read “The occupation” and it is written (to me) through the eyes of a child involved at this dreadful time. There is even “A short trip around Paris” and it wasabout Hitler’s day trip to the city he loved!
A must read.
Thanks so much for this recommendation! I haven’t read this one, but it sounds like it is just for me!!! Bonne route a Paris!
Hello John,
I was pleased when I saw the picture of the Rene Vinchon plaque on your blog (We will Remember Them, 10th August 2010).
I recently spent half a day wandering from the Prefecture and Notre Dame up the Boul’ Mich’ and round and about, taking pictures of the memorial plaques I found.
What surprised me was how few people take any notice of them – until someone such as you or I takes a photograph. Then people look strangely at both the photographer and the plaque!
Still I did notice that people read them after I’d photographed them so that’s got to be a good thing.
If you or anyone else is interested in learning more of a few of those brave individuals who gave their lives during the Liberation there is a beautiful book available on Amazon (and through other outlets!) entitled ‘Ici est tombe’. It contains interviews with relatives of 26 French men of those who died during Liberation.
It’s all in French but worth the effort.
An excellent book.
Your comments were greatly appreciated Richard. Tourists certainly don’t see these sights, but it is also common to see on anniversaries bunches of flowers beside these plaques. I have a photo I’m planning on publishing in the next few weeks which will almost bring tears, that tourists walk past blindly, but on anniversaries the locals decorate with wreaths and bouquets of flowers. I must go to Shakespeare bookshop in Paris to get that book, thanks for the recommendation.
These stories are the small ingredients that make up the overall ‘recipe’ of Paris. You can stumble across them anywhere on your travels, and although they are often unnoticed by many, they are sure to stand the test of time.
This plaque in particulier is something I have noticed a few times during the last year because it is next door to my favourite Latin American restaurant, El Sol Y La Luna. I definately recommend the guacamole and corn chips for a starter, and the mojitos are second to none!