“Who was Lucien Sampaix?” a visitor asks. Place Lucien Sampaix is named after a French communist journalist and member of the French Resistance. He was born in 1899. Sampaix was executed by the Germans in 1941 during World War II.
Place Lucien Sampaix is more than just a name. It represents courage and sacrifice during a dark period in French history. Let’s delve into the story of the man behind the name.
Lucien Sampaix came from a working-class family. At twelve, he became a metal worker. During World War I, he fled the German advance. He later became involved in the unitary metals union. In 1923, he joined the French Communist Party.
Sampaix protested against the occupation of the Ruhr. He also spoke out against the Rif War. His journalism career began at L’Exploité de Reims. By 1929, he became secretary of the Communist Party’s Northeast region. Sampaix led many strikes.
In 1931, he was arrested. He had written articles in favor of mutinies. These articles called for fraternization between workers and soldiers. Sampaix was sentenced to prison. After his release, he joined the staff of L’Humanité.
He denounced fascist activity. Sampaix also criticized the influence of Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy. In 1936, he became secretary general of L’Humanité.
After L’Humanité was banned in 1939, Sampaix helped with its clandestine re-publication. In December 1939, he was arrested. He escaped in 1940. But he was arrested again in 1941.
Following the killing of a German officer by a communist soldier, the Germans demanded retaliation. The Vichy government condemned three communists to death including Lucien Sampaix. He was killed on December 15 1941.
After the Liberation, Sampaix was honored. He was elevated to the pantheon of the PCF. Public places and streets bear his name. One of them is Rue Lucien-Sampaix in Paris. His name is on the commemorative plaque of the Paris Panthéon. It honors writers who died for France.
Place Lucien Sampaix connects to Rue Lucien-Sampaix. The street is located in the 10th arrondissement of Paris. Rue Lucien-Sampaix is 491 meters long. It pays homage to the journalist Lucien Sampaix.
Originally, the street was named Rue Albouy in 1824. It was named after Pierre-Laurent Albouy. He was a master carpenter and landowner. The street got its current name by decree.
Many artists lived on Rue Lucien-Sampaix in the 19th century. Even today, artists reside here. The street has several notable buildings.
At number 6, Edme-François-Antoine-Marie Miel lived. He was a writer and art critic. At number 7, Louis-Claude Malbranche lived. He was a painter of landscapes and seascapes. Octavie Rossignon lived at number 8. She worked on the decoration of the historical museum of Versailles.
René Lacoste was born at number 38. He was a French tennis player. The building at number 41 is a former dispensary. It was built in 1908. The facade is covered in decorative ceramics.
So, as you stand here in Place Lucien Sampaix remember the legacy of Lucien Sampaix. He was a journalist and resistance fighter. He stood for his beliefs even in the face of death. His story continues to inspire.