Here on Rue du Vélodrome, a place of both celebration and sorrow. This street echoes with stories of sporting glory and heartbreaking tragedy. Today we will explore the history of the Vélodrome d’Hiver. It was a place that stood near here.
The Vélodrome d’Hiver. Or Vel d’Hiv. It was a popular sports arena in Paris. In the early 20th century cycling was booming. The Tour de France captivated audiences. To accommodate this surge in popularity, more velodromes were needed. In 1909 the 15th arrondissement was chosen as the location for a new cycling mecca.
Before the Vélodrome d’Hiver, the Galerie des Machines hosted cycling events. It was a remnant of the 1889 World’s Fair. But the city decided to demolish it. They wanted to clear the view towards the Champ de Mars. To keep a venue for cycling events, the Vélodrome d’Hiver was built. It stood at the corner of Boulevard de Grenelle and Rue Nélaton.
Initially it was called the Temple des Sports on Boulevard de Grenelle. Soon it became known as the Vel d’Hiv. The Vélodrome d’Hiver had a large metal frame. It could seat 17,000 spectators. They sat on brick and concrete bleachers. Below them cyclists raced on a wooden track. The track circled a large central lawn. Over a thousand light bulbs lit the scene. A huge glass roof completed the structure.
The Vélodrome d’Hiver became a lively hub. Celebrities like Maurice Chevalier frequented the arena. People came to see the Reine des Six Jours. This event was inspired by American races. A Queen was chosen to start the race. Edith Piaf and Yvette Horner were among those honored. In the 1930s the venue diversified. It hosted tennis, basketball, hockey, and ice skating. These were the wild years of ice hockey.
But the 1930s also brought economic crisis and job losses. World War II cast a dark shadow. The conflict deeply affected Paris. The Vélodrome d’Hiver suffered the most.
During the Nazi occupation, the Vélodrome d’Hiver became a prison. It was the site of the largest mass arrest of Jews in France. 13,152 Jews were held here in July 1942. They were captured by French police. Acting under Nazi orders. These men, women, and children were detained in terrible conditions. They lacked water and food. Those who tried to escape were killed. Some prisoners committed suicide. This event is one of the darkest chapters in French history. It represents over a quarter of the Jews sent from France to Auschwitz in 1942. Only a few returned after the war.
For years this tragedy was ignored. In 1995 France acknowledged the role of its government. They admitted responsibility for the persecution and deportation of Jews. The Vélodrome d’Hiver no longer exists. It was demolished in 1959. Office buildings stand in its place now. However, a memorial plaque marks the spot. The Children of Vel d’Hiv Memorial Garden is nearby. It serves as a place of remembrance for the deported children.
The story of the Vélodrome d’Hiver serves as a stark reminder. It highlights the dangers of hatred and indifference. It also underscores the importance of remembering the past. The memory of the Vélodrome d’Hiver and its victims must never be forgotten.