Rue du Commandant Baroche

“A father’s legacy, etched in a street name.” Rue du Commandant Baroche. The name itself whispers a story of courage and sacrifice. We stand here, not in Paris, but in Drancy, a commune in the northeastern suburbs of Paris. This street honors Ernest Baroche, son of Pierre Jules Baroche, a prominent figure during the Second French Empire. Ernest, following in his father’s footsteps, served as a deputy and held a high-ranking position in the Council of State. He also managed to find time to be a director of foreign trade at the Ministry of Agriculture. But this street doesn’t commemorate his political career. It speaks to a different kind of service. In 1870, after the fall of the Second Empire and his father’s exile, Ernest joined the Garde Mobile. He became commander of the 12th battalion of the Seine Mobiles. On October 30th, 1870, at Le Bourget, during the Franco-Prussian War, Ernest was wounded in the eye. Refusing treatment, he simply bandaged the wound and continued fighting. His bravery, however, met a tragic end in the courtyard of 24, Route des Flandres, now known as Avenue de la Division-Leclerc. A bullet struck him in the heart. The Rue du Commandant Baroche is more than just a street. It’s a testament to a man who chose duty and sacrifice over safety. His name, immortalized here, reminds us of the human cost of conflict.