In the heart of Marseille, a granite plaque whispers a story of courage. À la mémoire de Jean de Bernardy, it reads. This plaque, dedicated to Jean de Bernardy, is more than just a piece of granite. It’s a portal to a turbulent past, a testament to a man who dared to resist. À la mémoire de Jean de Bernardy. These words echo in the halls of La Marseillaise newspaper, where the plaque resides. Jean, a Marseille native, was a typographer by trade, working for newspapers like Le Sémaphore and Le Petit Marseillais. He was also a staunch union man, serving as treasurer for the Syndicat du Livre. Beyond his professional life, Jean was a fervent communist and a key figure in the resistance. À la mémoire de Jean de Bernardy. His story is one of defiance. In 1939, he was charged with promoting communist ideals. Arrested in 1940, he was later released, only to be arrested again in 1943 for distributing anti-Nazi leaflets. He helped create the clandestine Rouge-Midi resistance group. He was tortured and interned at the Saint-Sulpice camp, but he escaped. He returned to Marseille and continued his resistance work, contributing to the underground newspaper La Marseillaise. The irony isn’t lost that this plaque sits within the very newspaper he once helped produce clandestinely. À la mémoire de Jean de Bernardy. His fight didn’t end with ink and paper. He joined the FTPF maquis in Saint-Antonin-sur-Bayon. There, on June 16, 1944, he fell in combat. His body initially rested in Saint-Antonin-sur-Bayon, but was later moved to Marseille. He received a hero’s farewell at Saint-Pierre Cemetery. À la mémoire de Jean de Bernardy. The plaque at La Marseillaise serves as a constant reminder of his sacrifice. A street in Marseille, formerly Rue Thomas, now bears his name. His name is also etched on memorials in Saint-Antonin-sur-Bayon and Aix-en-Provence. His legacy lives on, not just in stone and street names, but in the spirit of resistance he embodied.
Les Olives
Picture this a quaint village nestled on a rocky hill. This is Les Olives in Marseille. It’s a place where