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WWII/Nazi looting history at Jeu de Paume?

Hello,

I don't see anything on the Jeu de Paume's website about its history as the place where the Nazis registered stored looted art or Rose Valland, the museum's staff member who was a member of the Resistance who kept secret records that helped restitute some of the art to its rightful owners or heirs. If you've been to the museum, is there anything there about this? I've read in another forum that there is a plaque to Valland on the outside, but I'm wondering if there is more inside -- exhibit, markers, self-guided tour brochure related to this?

Many thanks,

Posted by
13809 posts

I've only seen the plaque on the outside. It's on the wall facing toward the gardens (and the Orangerie across the way). There's never been an exhibition on that was of interest to me to go inside. Let us know what you find!

Posted by
14482 posts

This is a famous site prior to WW2 and the German occupation of Paris.

It's the event that could be viewed as the precursor to the outbreak of the French Revolution, the event that set off the "storming of the Bastille" (La chute de la Bastille). In late June 1789 members of the Third Estate met there, declared and acknowledged its political power. as representatives of France , thereby challenging the dominance of the aristocracy and monarchy.

In English we call this singular event "The Tennis Court Oath"...a couple of weeks later on 14 July the storming of the Bastille took place, say this term "The Tennis Court Oath" to the French, chances are they won't know what you're referring to since to them this was not a tennis court.

Posted by
752 posts

Thank you for sharing this WWII history, it makes me want to revisit this museum.

The Jeu de Paume was very popular in its day, so there were a number of Salles du Jeu de Paume around. I believe the députés of the Third Estate actually swore their oath at the Salle in Versailles, not far from the Château. When I visited, the documentation was only in French. Foreigners rarely visited.

https://en.chateauversailles.fr/discover/estate/royal-tennis-court

And it’s possible they could have sworn again in Paris at this Salle.

Posted by
14482 posts

@ Barbara....You're right. I stand corrected. Thanks for the information. They had to move to the Salle du Jeu de Paume from the Chateau.

Posted by
806 posts

SO.

If you take the Paris Walks tour "Paris during the Occupation and Liberation" - every Thursday at 1030 am, they bring her up when ending the tour here!

See the book "The Monuments Men" about the group of experts formed by the Allies to hunt down and ferret out art and historical items looted by the Germans. by Robert M. Edsel and Bret Witter

There is also a movie but as so often, the book is better.