Vel' D'*** Memorials

This station on Line 6 of the Métro, Bir-Hakeim, is closest to the memorials. The Eiffel Tower is pointed out, but nothing mentions the memorials. After leaving the station, cross over to the south side of Grenelle Boulevard. Then make a left after crossing the street. It’s only a short distance to the first memorial. This memorial is very close to the location of the Vélodrome d’Hiver itself. It consists of a commemorative plaque. The original site of the stadium is mostly occupied by the Ministry of the Interior now. Ironically, that was the same part of the government that carried out the round-up of Jews. Of 13,152 Jews arrested and deported to Auschwitz, only about 100 survived. This video was recorded about a month after the 70th anniversary of the round-up. The memorial is very discreet and easy to miss. There are police buildings behind it. Now, if we turn right and retrace our steps, we can see the other memorial. You can see Line 6 of the Métro on the right. We’re walking roughly northwest. This is the busy Grenelle Quay street, which runs next to the river and past the Eiffel Tower. The other memorial is well hidden on a plaza next to the river and across this street. This tiny sign is about the only one mentioning the monument, on the far side of the street. This plaza is also named in memory of the deportations, if you look carefully at the sign. The monument is at the south end of the plaza. Looking the other way (northeast), towards Line 6 and the Eiffel Tower. So here’s the other monument, tucked away on this plaza. The curved part represents the cycling track (the stadium had a track fo cycling races). The inscription says “never forget,” but you really have to look for this monument to find it. The sculpture represents the arrested Jews suffering and waiting in the stadium. Looking back towards the Eiffel Tower. River on the left. The stadium was on the right. The Seine River, flowing peacefully past the site. The long island is the Allée des Cygnes park. Here you can see the Beaugrenelle district in the background—high-rises built in the 70s. The Vélodrome d’Hiver was just behind those buildings on the right. A line of bushes separates the monument from the street (or hides it—not sure which). From this spot youc an see the monument from across the street, if you’re looking for it. The sun came out just as I was finishing my shots. Hmm. Thank you for watching my video.