“Why name a boulevard after a young mechanic?” I imagine you asking. Boulevard Christophe Moncada in Marseille commemorates a local hero. He stood against tyranny during World War II. This boulevard carries a powerful story.
Christophe Moncada was born in Marseille on May 24 1922. His father Cristobal worked as a mechanic. Anna Maria Sanchez was his mother. Christophe attended the Velten center on Rue Bernard-du-Bois. He trained as a mechanic. He then joined the Jeunesse Communiste in the working-class district of Crottes.
France was under Nazi occupation. Christophe was drafted into the Chantiers de Jeunesse du Muy. Upon release he moved in with his parents in Berre-l’Étang. This likely was to avoid the STO. The Service du Travail Obligatoire forced young men to work for the German war effort.
Refusing to collaborate Christophe joined the Maquis Ventoux on July 23 1943. This resistance group operated in the Ventoux mountains. To hide his identity he used false names. These were Christophe Mandon and Christophe Marteno. His comrades nicknamed him Mondon. His father Cristobal was listed as his contact.
The Maquis Ventoux suffered a tragic fate. On February 22 1944 the Luftwaffe attacked. A commando of the Luftwaffe and French auxiliaries of the 8th Brandenburg Company attacked the Maquis. Moncada and his comrades were captured while they were sleeping. They were taken to the Monteau farm in Eygalayes. There they were executed.
Christophe Moncada’s remains were exhumed on July 28 1951. In 1957 he was reburied in Marseille’s Canet cemetery. He was posthumously awarded the Croix de Guerre with palms. He also received the Médaille militaire and the Médaille de la Résistance. He was officially recognized as “Mort pour la France”.
Today Boulevard Christophe Moncada honors his sacrifice. It reminds us of the courage of ordinary people. They resisted oppression during dark times. The boulevard is located in Marseille’s 15th arrondissement.
If you need to use public transport to get to Boulevard Christophe Moncada station there are bus, train and metro lines that will take you there. The closest bus stops are Salengro Cougit a 3 min walk, Métro Bougainville a 5 min walk and Bougainville a 7 min walk. The closest light rail and metro stations are Arenc Le Silo and Gèze, both a 18 min walk.
While here remember Alma’s story at 14 Boulevard Christophe-Moncada. Evicted from her dilapidated apartment she voiced a simple demand. “Give me back my rent.” Her words echo the struggles of many. They seek decent housing in this city.
As you stroll along Boulevard Christophe Moncada take a moment. Reflect on the ideals of freedom and justice. These ideals inspired a young mechanic to risk everything. His spirit lives on in this bustling Marseille thoroughfare.