Gazing up at the street sign, did you ever consider the life of Alexis Chaussinand, the man whose name graces this Ivry-sur-Seine street? Rue Alexis Chaussinand isn’t just a street. It’s a testament to a man’s courage and the resilience of the human spirit. Alexis Chaussinand, born in 1907, arrived in Ivry with his family. They settled into the first HBM housing projects, finding community among fellow working-class families and communist militants. A dedicated pastry chef by trade, Chaussinand was also a fervent unionist. He became a prominent figure in the French Communist Party and a leader within various food workers’ unions. He climbed the ranks, eventually becoming secretary of a major union for pastry, biscuit, and ice cream makers. Rue Alexis Chaussinand reminds us of a darker time in Paris. In 1940, the police raided Chaussinand’s Paris apartment, arresting him for distributing leaflets and reviving the Young Communists. Imprisoned initially, he was then transferred to the internment camps at Aincourt and then Compiègne. His path tragically led him to Auschwitz in the summer of 1942 as part of a convoy of over 1,000 men. In this horrific place, he was given the number 45363, a stark reminder of the dehumanization inflicted upon so many. His dedication to his comrades continued even in the face of such brutality. Accounts from fellow prisoners recount Chaussinand sharing his meager rations with those planning escape attempts. This selfless act, risking his own safety for others, demonstrates his unwavering solidarity. The cold of December 1942 claimed Alexis Chaussinand’s life at Auschwitz, reportedly at the hands of a guard. He was survived by his wife, Lucienne, a resistance member who was also deported but thankfully survived. After the war, she served as deputy mayor in Saint-Ouen. The Rue Alexis Chaussinand, along with a local high school, stadium, and sports complex, stand as powerful memorials to this courageous man. They ensure his name, and the values he fought for, are never forgotten.
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.