Rue Joseph Fouriaux

Did Joseph Fouriaux ever imagine his name would grace a street in Antony? Here we stand on Rue Joseph Fouriaux, a seemingly ordinary street that holds an extraordinary story. Rue Joseph Fouriaux isn’t just a street; it’s a tribute to a local hero. Joseph Fouriaux, born in Paris in 1908, lived a life interwoven with the tumultuous history of wartime France. He resided at 19 rue des Amandiers in Antony with his wife, Raymonde Klavatz, and their two children. During World War II, both Joseph and Raymonde bravely joined the Resistance. Joseph, under the alias “Dupont,” became the leader of the Alsace-Lorraine detachment of the Francs-tireurs et partisans (FTPF). His bravery extended to daring acts of sabotage. In October 1943 alone, he attempted to derail a train near Angerville, stole textiles from the Gare d’Austerlitz in Paris, and disrupted railway signals in Orly. He even confiscated pistols from two police officers at the Gentilly waterworks. Betrayed and arrested in December 1943, Joseph was carrying a false ID and incriminating documents. He was interrogated at the Prefecture of Police and later handed over to the Germans. Imprisoned in Fresnes, Joseph was sentenced to death by the Gross Paris tribunal. He was executed at Mont-Valérien on April 5, 1944, along with his comrades. While seven were executed, eleven others from the Alsace-Lorraine detachment were deported, six of whom perished at Mauthausen. Even after his death, the story continued. A 1945 report noted the difficulty in contacting Joseph’s family. His comrade’s wife, Jeanne Brugniaud, testified that Joseph lived alone at his residence and she was unaware of any mistreatment during his time at the Prefecture. Joseph Fouriaux’s sacrifice was recognized posthumously when he was awarded the rank of Sergeant FFI in 1947. Today, Rue Joseph Fouriaux serves as a quiet reminder of his courage and the sacrifices made during the dark days of the war.