A la mémoire de René et Robert Tissier

Slipping through the veil of time, let’s journey back to a pivotal moment in Carrières-sous-Poissy’s history. We stand before A la mémoire de René et Robert Tissier, a poignant memorial bearing witness to a tragic tale of courage and loss during the tumultuous days of World War II. A la mémoire de René et Robert Tissier commemorates two brothers, René and Robert, whose lives were tragically cut short during the liberation of their town. On the night of August 27, 1944, as the shadow of German occupation began to recede, an order came down: evacuate Carrières-sous-Poissy. Along with many others, the Tissier family, including René, Robert, and their brother Jacques, prepared to leave. They were joined by Roger Merlier. As they made their way, a German patrol stopped them. Despite Merlier’s attempts to explain their situation, the group was escorted towards the Château de la Rêverie. Reinforcements arrived, and they were moved again, this time towards the racecourse. In a moment of confusion, Merlier seized the opportunity to escape. Tragically, two of the Tissier brothers, René and Robert, were shot. Miraculously, the third brother managed to escape unharmed. A la mémoire de René et Robert Tissier stands as a testament to their sacrifice. Later, a stone cross, standing 1.7 meters tall, was erected by their surviving brother Jacques, assisted by his father-in-law, a mason. This personal touch adds another layer of poignancy to the memorial. A la mémoire de René et Robert Tissier reminds us of the heavy price paid for freedom. Their names live on, not only in this memorial but also in the renaming of Rue Pasteur to Rue des Frères Tissier, a lasting tribute to their bravery in the face of adversity.