“A street named after a hero?” A brief pause, and then, “This is Avenue du Colonel Rol-Tanguy.” It may not be the most grand of avenues, a mere 50 meters long, but it holds a story that resonates through the heart of Paris. We stand looking at the Parisian street that runs parallel to Avenue du Général Leclerc, just a short distance from the Place Denfert-Rochereau, the very spot where the Avenue du Colonel Rol-Tanguy begins. You might be surprised to learn its shortness. It’s almost as wide as it is long!
The street is named after Henri Rol-Tanguy, a resistance leader who played a crucial role in liberating Paris from Nazi occupation. It was here, within the catacombs, that his command post was situated. In 1944, the orders for the Parisian insurrection were given from these very depths.
In 2004, the small portion of the Place Denfert-Rochereau found a new name. It was renamed in honor of the 60th anniversary of the Liberation of Paris. The two buildings flanking the Avenue are the Parisian administration of quarries and the museum of the Resistance.
The Avenue is a quiet reminder of a tumultuous past. It’s a place of remembrance. It may be short, but it has a long and important story to tell. The next time you are at the Place Denfert-Rochereau, take a moment to walk down this short avenue. It is a fitting tribute to the brave men and women who fought to liberate Paris.