Rue Gabriel Péri

In 1917, a young Gabriel Péri, just fifteen years old and deeply affected by the First World War, embarked on a path of social and political activism. Here on Rue Gabriel Péri, named in his honor, we trace the footsteps of a man whose life was intertwined with the tumultuous history of 20th-century France. Rue Gabriel Péri isn’t just a street; it’s a testament to a life dedicated to journalism, politics, and ultimately, resistance. Péri’s brilliance shone early. He founded a newspaper to raise funds for wounded soldiers as a young boy. He excelled in his studies but chose to work to support himself, fueled by the impact of war and the Russian Revolution. He joined the Socialist Youth and then the Communist Party, quickly rising through the ranks. By age twenty, he led the National Federation of Young Communists and edited their newspaper, L’Avant-Garde. Two years later, he moved to Paris to head the international section of L’Humanité, where his sharp writing denounced the regimes of Nazi Germany and Mussolini’s Italy. Rue Gabriel Péri reminds us of a man who held his convictions dearly. Elected as a communist deputy in 1932 and re-elected in 1936, Péri’s expertise in international relations made him a respected voice in the Chamber of Deputies. He fiercely opposed totalitarianism, criticized the non-intervention policy in Spain, and condemned the Munich Agreement. His eloquence and journalistic skills earned him widespread recognition. The signing of the German-Soviet Pact in 1939 presented a moral dilemma for Péri. He refused to support the pact, creating tension with the Communist Party. However, he remained a member, highlighting the complexity of his political journey, a journey we reflect on as we stand on Rue Gabriel Péri. During the “Phony War,” Péri contributed to the clandestine L’Humanité, remaining in Paris even as German troops marched down the Champs-Élysées. He defied Vichy’s ban on political parties, working to rebuild the Communist Party underground. He authored the pamphlet “No, Nazism is not Socialism!” His defiance is palpable, echoing along Rue Gabriel Péri. In May 1941, Péri was arrested under suspicious circumstances, likely betrayed by an associate. He was sentenced in absentia to five years imprisonment. He was transferred to the Cherche-Midi prison, under German control, and ultimately executed as a hostage on December 15, 1941, at Mont-Valérien. Rue Gabriel Péri stands as a tribute to his courage. Péri’s legacy, however, extends beyond his tragic death. His posthumously published autobiography, “Les Lendemains qui chantent” (The Singing Tomorrows), with a preface by Louis Aragon, cemented his place as a symbol of resistance. Paul Éluard and Louis Aragon dedicated poems to him, immortalizing his sacrifice. Rue Gabriel Péri, named after this courageous figure, ensures that his story, and his unwavering belief in a brighter future, continue to resonate in Lyon today.