Did tragedy strike near the André Picout et Émilienne Picout Plaque? Here, at 41 rue des Vinaigriers in Paris’s 10th arrondissement, a plaque commemorates André and Émilienne Picout. The André Picout et Émilienne Picout Plaque isn’t just a piece of metal. It’s a chilling reminder of the enduring impact of war, even in its waning days. The plaque marks the very spot where André and Émilienne Picout were assassinated by Nazis on September 21, 1944. Paris was liberated just a month earlier, yet violence still lurked in the shadows, claiming innocent lives like those of the Picouts.
André Picout wasn’t simply a caretaker. He was also a resistance fighter. He led a local group hunting collaborators, under the command of Captain Bonneau. This bravery, unfortunately, made him a target. He, his wife Émilienne, and a civilian member of their group, Etienne Lalis, were murdered in their home, victims of a collaborator’s revenge. This collaborator had lost some of his ill-gotten gains thanks to André’s work. The André Picout et Émilienne Picout Plaque serves as a stark reminder of the price some paid for freedom. It’s a poignant testament to the resilience and sacrifice of those who fought against tyranny, even in the face of immense danger. Stand here, at the André Picout et Émilienne Picout Plaque, and remember their story.