Ever wondered why a small street in Clichy bears the name Rue Huntziger? The story behind it is more intriguing than you might think. It is a tale of mistaken identity and historical clarification.
The Rue Huntziger isn’t named after General Charles Huntziger. He was a minister under the Vichy regime. He signed the armistice of 1940 and the law regarding the status of Jews.
Instead, the street honors a local hero. This Rue Huntziger pays tribute to a brave inhabitant of Clichy. He was a bugler in the 34th battalion. He died in battle in 1871 during the battle of Buzenval. The street was officially named in his honor in 1882.
Confusion arose some time ago. A future resident questioned the street name. He was unaware of the local hero. He only knew of the general. He wrote to the mayor expressing his concern. His family had been arrested by French police in 1943. They were deported to Auschwitz.
The city decided to act. The municipal authorities decided to revise the street plaques. The original plaques only displayed the name. They lacked any dates or context. The updated plaques now clarify who the street commemorates.
This clarification ensures no one confuses the bugler with the general. It also avoids any misinterpretations of the street’s namesake. The mayor emphasized the importance of avoiding such “doubtful amalgams”.
Even the former mayor weighed in. He urged people to combat “fake news.” He highlighted that resistant elected officials would never name a street after a Vichy minister.
Interestingly, there’s another twist to the Huntziger family history. Jacques Huntziger served as the French ambassador to Israel. He served from 1999 to 2003. He was the great-nephew of the controversial general.
Today, the Rue Huntziger stands as a reminder of local valor. It is a testament to historical accuracy. Next time you pass by, remember the bugler. Remember the importance of knowing the full story behind a name. As for the architecture, the buildings at 4-6 Rue Huntziger were constructed around 2010. They are contemporary in style. They stand at approximately 15 meters tall. They have five levels R+4.