The French Resistance Memorials of Cadenet

The French Resistance Memorials of Cadenet, found on the outskirts of the village, offer a sobering glimpse into the cost of freedom during World War II. In a seemingly random location near an industrial park, fields, and a small river, these memorials mark the spot where eight members of the French Resistance were shot on Bastille Day in 1944.The main monument stands by a roundabout, inscribed with the names of those who fell, commemorating the "patriotes tombes pour que vive la France". Nearby, smaller stones mark the individual spots where members Lucien Roustan, Abel Allemand, and Henri Fabre were gunned down while trying to escape. Another stone stands by the river, marking where Augustin Gay was shot; he survived his apparent death only to later succumb to his wounds.Local lore suggests the resistance members were killed by Frenchmen, not Germans. These memorials, unlike grand monuments in town centers, are scattered in the landscape, marking the very places of capture and execution. They stand as a testament to the bravery and sacrifice of the French Resistance fighters.