Can a street whisper secrets of resistance? Here on Rue Georges et Maï Politzer, it certainly feels that way. Rue Georges et Maï Politzer isn’t just a street in the 12th arrondissement of Paris. It’s a testament to the courage of two individuals who defied Nazi occupation. Georges Politzer, a philosopher and communist, and his wife Maï, a midwife and fellow resistant, lived and breathed defiance in the face of tyranny. The street, originally designated “voie DH/12” during the ZAC Reuilly development, now bears their names, a permanent tribute authorized by the municipal council. Georges, originally from Hungary, made his mark in Paris. He earned his French citizenship in 1924 and taught philosophy at Lycée Marcelin-Berthelot. Maï, a devout Catholic in her youth, found a common cause with Georges, joining the Communist Party and working alongside notable figures like Danielle Casanova and Charlotte Delbo. When the shadow of occupation fell upon Paris, they didn’t retreat. They went underground, entrusting their young son to Maï’s parents. Georges penned articles for resistance publications, while Maï, her blonde hair dyed dark, ensured these subversive words reached clandestine printing presses. Together, they co-founded the underground journal “L’Université libre,” a beacon of intellectual resistance. Tragically, their bravery came at a cost. Arrested in their hideout in the 18th arrondissement in February 1942, Georges was executed at Mont Valérien. Maï, after enduring months of brutal imprisonment, was deported to Auschwitz, where she died of typhus in 1943. Rue Georges et Maï Politzer also features a community garden, a vibrant space offering a stark contrast to the street’s somber history. It’s a space where life continues to flourish, perhaps mirroring the enduring spirit of those who once walked this very street, fighting for a better world. Their legacy isn’t etched in stone monuments, but in the very name of this street.
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.