“Ceasefire in Algeria!” The news, crackling over radios on March 19, 1962, echoed across France, bringing a wave of complex emotions. Here, at Place du 19 Mars 1962, that pivotal date is forever etched in the urban landscape of Paris. Place du 19 Mars 1962 isn’t grand or imposing. It’s a small square, a point of intersection where several streets converge in the 12th arrondissement. But its name holds weight. It commemorates the ceasefire that marked the beginning of the end of the Algerian War. The Évian Accords, signed on March 18th, set the ceasefire into motion. Place du 19 Mars 1962 serves as a quiet reminder of this historical turning point. It acknowledges the complex legacy of the war and its profound impact on both France and Algeria. Officially, the square received its name on July 26, 1962, during Bertrand Delanoë’s time as mayor of Paris. Interestingly, Place du 19 Mars 1962 sits near another square, Place des Combattants-en-Afrique-du-Nord. This square, named in 1984 under Jacques Chirac’s mayorship, broadens the commemoration to encompass all those who fought in North Africa. The proximity of these two squares creates a poignant space for reflection on France’s history in North Africa. Place du 19 Mars 1962 stands as a testament to the power of place names to encapsulate historical memory.
Église Notre-Dame de l’Air
Beneath what appears to be a simple stone and wood structure lies a history interwoven with faith aviation and community.