Today I bring you a conversation with Cindy McBrayer about Le Chambon-sur-Lignon a place of refuge. During WW2 this small town and neighboring villages became a heaven for Jewish children who were on the run from the Germans and from French authorities who collaborated with them.
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I’m always surprised by how many novels get released today but are set in WW2! This is a fascinating time period when humanity’s best and humanity’s worst had to battle it out and decide who was going to come out on top. The folks of Le Chambon sur Lignon made the most generous and courageous choice and we talk about it today.
It’s also a lovely place to visit and definitely off the beaten track. I should mention that we often refer to it as Chambon in the episode, but it’s Le Chambon-sur-Lignon that we’re talking about, there’s another town 2.5 hours drive away called Chambon, don’t go to the wrong place!
Recommended in this Episode
Lovely inn in Rochepaule, 30 minutes away from Le Chambon. Hotel L’Escapade (converted private school). Owners live on site, and have a well-known, lovely small restaurant “Restaurant Maryse et Eric”. Reservations recommended.
Books About Le Chambon
The latest, and an EXCELLENT book about Le Chambon, then and NOW….is The Plateau, by Maggie Paxon. If you can only read one, make it this one!
Article about Le Chambon from Time Magazine
Village of Secrets, Defying the Nazis in Vichy, France, by Caroline Moorehead
A Good Place to Hide, How One French Village Saved Thousands of Lives during WWII, by Peter Grose. This one is easy to read.
Lest Innocent Blood Be Shed, by Phillip Hallie
Hidden on the Mountain, by Karen Gray Ruelle. (stories from surviving children)
More episodes about French History
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Discussed in this Episode
- Le Chambon-sur-Lignon
- WW2 sites in Lyon
- Izieu
- Les Cevennes
- Tence
- WW2 book recommendations
- Driving in France
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