Memorial to the Martyrs of the Deportation

Moving on to more recent times to revisit a dark chapter in French history. You're standing in front of the Memorial to the Martyrs of the Deportation, dedicated to all French citizens deported during World War II. It was unveiled by Charles de Gaulle back in 1962. At first glance, it may seem like a simple bunker. But once you're inside, you're compelled to remember, feel and reflect. Its unusual architecture practically locks you in at river level, as if you were trapped there with no way out, much like those who were sent to their deaths, suffering an inescapable fate. Inside the dimly-lit crypt, you'll find a symbolic tomb commemorating all unknown victims who died in the Neustadt camp. The long gallery is covered with shards of glass representing the countless lives lost in the Nazi concentration camps. In the center, there's a bronze slab bearing the Star of Remembrance, surrounded by urns carrying dirt and ashes brought back from the camps. You'll also notice poems written on the walls, notably by Paul Eluard, Louis Aragon and Robert Desnos, who died in deportation. A heart-wrenching tribute to the tens of thousands of innocent lives lost to a twisted ideology.