Montée Antoine Castejon

Antoine Castejon. A name whispered on the wind here at Montée Antoine Castejon. It’s more than just a street name. It’s a tribute to a young man, born in Barcelona in 1923, who found himself far from home in Marseille. Montée Antoine Castejon, this sloping street, holds a piece of his story, a story woven into the fabric of Marseille itself. Antoine Castejon lived in Marseille before the war’s shadow fell. He was swept up in the tide of conflict, finding himself in the Chantiers de Jeunesse, a youth work program, in the Dordogne region. As German troops advanced, his camp was evacuated, and he made a courageous decision. He joined the French Resistance, the FFI, a risky path paved with uncertainty and danger. Here at Montée Antoine Castejon, we remember his choice. The details surrounding his capture and death remain shrouded in mystery. We know he was captured, possibly tortured, and executed on June 26, 1944, near Sarlat. He was only 21. He rests alongside another young member of the Chantiers, possibly Gabriel Albouy. Montée Antoine Castejon stands as a memorial to his sacrifice. The city of Marseille honored Antoine Castejon by renaming this street, Montée des Riaux, in his name on July 27, 1946. So, as you stand here, on Montée Antoine Castejon, remember the young man whose life was cut short. Remember his courage and his connection to this vibrant city. His story, though tragic, is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the enduring power of memory.