Friday, March 17, 2017

Mémorial des Martyrs de la Deportation

By Carolyn Stefanu
Underneath the Notre Dame Cathedral

Built in 1962 by Charles de Gaulle, this memorial commemorates the 200,000 people who were deported from Vichy France. The memorial is located in Paris, France on the site of a former morgue, underground behind Notre Dame on Île de la Cité (city island). This "invisible" memorial is one that should be seen by all. As one enters the memorial, descending a narrow flight of stairs between massive stone blocks, the visitor experiences a sense foreboding claustrophobia and perhaps an echo of the small, cramped spaces that the deported endured. The lower level is open space but it is haunting nonetheless. The area is protected by an iron gate (reminiscent of prison bars) and above the gate hang seven metal bars with triangles pointed at the entrance to the interior of  the memorial. The claustrophobic feeling is repeated as you enter the exhibit between two large walls. The interior is simple and yet very powerful. An display of resistance letters and drawings from the deported struck a chord (although this part of the memorial was added more recently). It is a place for tears and quiet contemplation. Deep within the chamber on one wall was a map of France, marked with the number of deportees from each town. Wall murals were roughly painted. It gave a sense that the deportees drew them themselves so that we never forget who they were. We cannot forget the Martyrs of France, and this was an excellent way commemorate their memory. However, the memorial also reflects the time when it was originally designed. There is no differentiation between Jews, who were deported in the course of the genocide, and  other French citizens, who were deported for political reasons or a forced laborers for German industry and agriculture.

21 comments:

  1. A friend of mine told me about this underground place in Paris, but we didn't have time to visit it yet. The next time around when we plan for a trip, we try to visit it. There is so much history in Paris that began long, long ago, well before the Romans. Good job of highlighting one of the often missed, most interesting spots in Paris.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Wow, your words were powerful. I can just imagine your experience of this unique place. You don't always hear about this, and for a girl who has never been to France, I'm one place more knowledgeable thanks to you.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I am extremely claustrophobic so reading about the sense of the walls caving in makes my heart-rate rocket. It makes you wonder if we are really all that different from people fifty years ago. Discrimination, green, systematic oppression of people - it all still exists. When our great grandchildren open their textbooks and read about us, will they think of us as barbaric too, the same way we view those before us ?

    ReplyDelete
  4. Carolyn, your descriptive writing in the post is impressive. I have not heard of or seen this memorial before and after reading your post, I really want to visit. However, I almost feel as though I have seen it. I love learning about the history behind places like this one. If I ever get the opportunity to visit Paris I will make sure to visit underneath the Cathedral.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Thank you for how descriptive this was. I feel as if today people are very unscathed by learning about these things in history and it would really benefit many people to go to the sites where these horrible things happened. It is easy to be desensitized by all of the terrible things that happen but you can't not be affected by this blog.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Carolyn, I have never heard of this memorial before and when I first started reading your blog post I got hooked. Everyone can relate to being in tight uncomfortable spaces and how you described this experience accompanied by your photo gave the reader a real sense of what you experienced while you were visiting the memorial.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Reading this gives you a sense of what it was like for the people who suffered at that time. Your blog gave an excellent picture of the area they were in and it really bothers and one with a heart to have to think about what they through at that day and time.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Wow! I have never heard of this memorial, but the way you described everything really made it relevant and I felt like I was in this room myself. I can only imagine the claustrophobia experienced throughout this tough time. You were very descriptive in your post!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Wow! I have never heard of this memorial, but the way you described everything really made it relevant and I felt like I was in this room myself. I can only imagine the claustrophobia experienced throughout this tough time. You were very descriptive in your post!

    ReplyDelete
  10. It felt like I was in the room! It is so cool that they have a memorial for people who were deported from France. I never would have known that there was such a thing. Thank you for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  11. The way to describe the memorial was informative and relevant. While reading your post, I felt like I was actually in the room, I can imagine myself in there.

    ReplyDelete
  12. This was an amazing blog. Though, I am only reading about the Mémorial des Martyrs de la Deportation, I feel that I was there with your description of the location. I agree with you when you stated that this memorial is something everyone should see, especially now with the controversy regarding deportation. I hope to visit this one day!

    ReplyDelete
  13. This was amazing! You really gave a clear explanation of everything and I was truly picturing myself right there seeing it all. This must of been amazing to see in person. Thank you for sharing something so beautiful, and special with us!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Hi Carolyn! I really enjoyed reading your blog post about Memorial Des Martyrs De La Deportation. When I was reading your story, I felt as if I was actually there on this trip! I also agree with you that this is definitely something that everyone should go see!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Hey Carolyn,
    This was such an amazing post! Before reading your post, I did not know about the deportations in France. Your description of the memorial and how it made you feel gave this place the justice that it deserves. While reading this post, I was able to visualize what it would be like if I was there. If I ever go to Paris, this will definitely be a place that I visit!

    ReplyDelete
  16. I give you credit for visiting Memorial Des Martyrs De La Deportation. Being a bit claustrophobic, I can't imagine seeing this in purpose, so thank you for sharing. Its interesting to see the carvings on the walls and their meaning. This post makes me feel like bloggers and content creators today aren't that different from people that told stories through carvings in the past.

    ReplyDelete
  17. I have never heard about this before. I want to read more about it after reading your post. That is so interesting how it is "invisable" and the carvings on the walls.. I am sure the pictures don't do enough justice than being there in real life. I am sure there are tons of crazy stories about this place. I am not sure if would be able to go inside so I give you a lot of credit!

    ReplyDelete
  18. I never knew that this was underneath Notre Dame! This was an interesting read! I love how you described the layout of the memorial. It really helped me get a picture of what it was. I love how you were in depth about what the bars meant, and the importance of this memorial. I really never knew about this and now it is important for me to see in my travels! Thanks for the great insight! great post!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Of course it is well-documented just how horrific the Holocaust was. Seeing and being in the same places that the prisoners were unfortunately subject to live in gives a much more surreal experience, I'm sure. As someone who has studied World War II and always had interest in understanding as much as I can about the war, this is something I would love to visit for myself.

    ReplyDelete
  20. I have never heard of this before and I can't believe it was below the Notre Dame. I cannot imagine how claustrophobic it must have been. I find it interesting how you said that there were murals roughly painted on the walls and it could've been the deportees drawing themselves so we would never forget them. This is something I would want to see! - Bethany M

    ReplyDelete
  21. Hi, Carolyn! You really did a great job of describing the atmosphere of this memorial. I’ve never been there, but from the picture and the history of World War II, I imagine that it feels lonely, oppressive, and gloomy. I think the experience of visiting this memorial probably gives some insight into how the victims of the War felt, but on a much smaller scale. Thank you for sharing—this was an extremely powerful blog.

    ReplyDelete