parvis des justes Plaque

What if a simple parvis could whisper tales of courage? The Parvis des Justes in Lille does just that. This unassuming square, nestled between the Rue des Tanneurs and Rue de Béthune, holds a profound history. The Parvis des Justes was inaugurated on September 24, 2008. It commemorates Léon and Claire Dubois, recognized as Righteous Among the Nations. They sheltered Léo Mohr, a young Jewish boy, in their farmhouse in Bosdarros during the Nazi occupation. Léo’s family had fled Lille in 1942. They were escaping the increasing persecution, including the harrowing Vel’ d’Hiv roundup. Léo’s aunt and her two young daughters were tragically deported to Auschwitz. They never returned. Léo’s parents, fearing for their son’s safety, sought refuge in the “free zone”. But the Nazis eventually occupied this area as well. Léo and his mother had a narrow escape from the Vichy militia. They found their way to the Dubois farm, where they had occasionally purchased milk and eggs. Claire Dubois welcomed Léo. She famously said, “We have raised six children, Léo will be the seventh.” Léo spent a year with the Dubois family, finding safety and warmth amidst the turmoil. The Parvis des Justes serves as a powerful reminder. It stands as a testament to the bravery and compassion of ordinary people. They risked their lives to protect the innocent during a dark period in history. The plaque at the Parvis des Justes honors Léon and Claire Dubois’s selfless act. It also stands for all the Righteous Among the Nations who chose humanity over hate.