Rue François Sautet

Could a street hold the echoes of wartime heroism? Rue François Sautet in Chevilly-Larue certainly does. This seemingly ordinary street holds the memory of a man who defied tyranny. François Sautet, a seemingly ordinary worker at the Thiais Cemetery, led a double life. Born in 1909, Sautet was a dedicated communist from a young age. His parents even ran a cafe in Chevilly-Larue that became a hub for anti-fascist gatherings. Rue François Sautet, named in his honor, reminds us of his bravery. He became a key figure in the French Resistance during World War II. He joined the Organisation Spéciale (OS) in 1941, leading a resistance group in Villejuif. Under the cover of his job, Sautet sabotaged power lines and communication cables, disrupting the Nazi war machine. He even orchestrated an attack on a cafe frequented by members of the dreaded Brigades Spéciales. His actions, though clandestine, made a significant impact on the resistance movement. Tragically, Sautet’s bravery came at a cost. He was arrested in 1942 and handed over to the German authorities. On August 11th, he was executed at Mont-Valérien along with 87 other hostages. This was the first mass execution of hostages ordered by the Sipo-SD. His body was incinerated at Père-Lachaise Cemetery, and his ashes were later transferred to Pantin Cemetery. Rue François Sautet stands as a testament to his sacrifice. After the Liberation, his ashes were returned to Villejuif in a ceremony honoring him and other fallen patriots. He was posthumously awarded the Croix de Guerre, the Médaille Militaire, and the Médaille de la Résistance. His name is inscribed on several memorials, including the Mont-Valérien Memorial and the war memorial in Villejuif. Even the cemetery where he worked, in Thiais, bears a plaque in his memory. His legacy lives on not only through Rue François Sautet but also through his son, André, who followed in his father’s footsteps, becoming a leader in the communist movement. So, the next time you walk along Rue François Sautet, remember the ordinary man who became an extraordinary hero.