Was he afraid? Right here, at 105 Boulevard Saint-Michel, a young man named Raymond Bonnant faced his destiny. This unassuming plaque on the wall before you marks the spot where he, a member of the French Forces of the Interior (FFI), fell during the Liberation of Paris in August 1944. Raymond, or “Raymond Bonnand” as his name is sometimes recorded, was only 19 years old. He was fighting in the fierce battles raging around the École des Mines when he was killed. This area, close to the Jardin du Luxembourg, saw intense fighting in those final days of the Nazi occupation. Many plaques, like this one, dot the surrounding streets, each bearing silent testimony to the bravery of ordinary Parisians who rose up against oppression. Raymond Bonnant’s story is a stark reminder of the human cost of war and the sacrifices made to liberate this city.
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.