Rue Henri Gautherot

Why is there a street named Rue Henri Gautherot in Gentilly? You might not know the name Henri Gautherot, but his story is one of courage and sacrifice during one of France’s darkest hours. Rue Henri Gautherot in Gentilly is named after a young man who lived a life full of passion and conviction. Henri Gautherot was a young man full of life. He had a passion for aviation and was a dedicated member of the Communist Party. He even served as the secretary of the Young Communists in Gentilly. When the war broke out, he answered the call to duty. He served in the French army until his demobilization in 1940. But his fight wasn’t over. Under the Nazi occupation, Henri became involved in the French Resistance. He joined the Organisation Spéciale, later known as the Bataillons de la Jeunesse. This clandestine group was instrumental in resisting the German occupation. In August 1941, Henri and fellow resistance member Samuel Tyszelman participated in a protest against the Nazi regime. They were arrested and swiftly sentenced to death. Despite facing his own mortality, he wrote a final letter to his family, a testament to his unwavering spirit, expressing love and courage in the face of death. Rue Henri Gautherot is more than just a street. It stands as a reminder of the human cost of war and the brave individuals who fought for freedom.