Just when you think you’ve seen protests for (or against) about every political, humanitarian, or social issue one can imagine, you run into one which makes you scratch your head and say, “What are those people thinking?” For me this time, it’s about the protests in France supporting the Paris sewer rats. Yep, you heard it here and as I’m fond of saying, “I don’t make up this stuff.” In fact, I read about this topic in a recent article entitled, French Freedom Fighters Press for the Rights of Parisian Rats. I can never resist a good article on French Freedom Fighters.
Seriously, Sandy and I visited Paris last September and we were standing in the small park memorializing the Grand Rafle (click here to read The Roundup and Cycling Arena) and the victims who were detained at the Velodrome before being transported to Drancy and ultimately, Auschwitz. As we were walking through the park, good sized rats scurried about around our feet. It turns out that rats have invaded Paris supermarkets, parks, and nurseries (and I suspect many other venues that no one wants to admit). So, the French politicians held a convention to determine a solution.
The Boatwright brothers holding their catch of rats. Photo by anonymous (January 1940). PD-Expired Copyright. Wikimedia Commons.
The solution was one that likely you and I could easily have figured out sans a convention: poison the rats. That’s when the trouble began. Protestors are against this “inhumane” method of execution (I guess they should not have gotten rid of the guillotine albeit perhaps on a smaller scale to accommodate the rodents’ necks). Instead, they presented their solution to the mayor of the 17th arrondissement (district): rodent birth-control. Once again, I don’t make this stuff up.
Dead rats hanging in the window of Auroze, a specialist in dératisation (rat removal). Photo by Ineke Huizing (2013). PD-CCA 2.0 Generic. Wikimedia Commons.
Most of you are likely familiar with Robert Louis Stevenson’s novel, Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. You’ve read the book, seen one of the movie versions (including The Nutty Professor), or know the story just in passing. By chance you don’t, it’s the tale of a respected doctor, Henry Jekyll, who experiments with and drinks a serum that changes him into an evil, demented, and murderous thug, Edward Hyde.
Doctor Petiot. Photo by anonymous (date unknown). PD-Expired Copyright. Wikimedia Commons.
Today’s blog is about a man who comes as close to the story of Jekyll and Hyde as anyone I’ve ever run across. About the only difference is that Dr. Petiot did not drink serum to transform into the serial killer he was—he did it all on his own.
Did You Know?
After the Nazis successfully invaded France, Hitler decided he wanted France’s occupied zone to be on the same time as Berlin. So, he made Vichy change it. Today, Paris is still on the same time zone as Berlin (UTC+1; CET). France has thirteen separate time zones when its overseas territories are considered. Metropolitan France has only one-time zone called “Central European Time” or, CET. While we are familiar with the American time zones (Pacific, Mountain, Central, and Eastern), the world uses “Coordinated Universal Time” or, UTC. It is the primary time standard by which the world regulates clocks and time (it does not observe daylight-saving time). UTC is interchangeable with “Greenwich Mean Time” or, GMT. So, France and Germany are one hour ahead of UTC + 0 which runs through Great Britain. Prior to 1891, every French city and town was allowed to set its own time. However, once the trains started running, the government recognized the need to standardize the country’s time and they based it on solar time of Paris (historically speaking, hasn’t everything in France always revolved around Paris?).
After the August 1944 liberation, France decided not to return to the old time as the Allies were using the current one. I’m not going into the daylight-saving time issue as it really makes things complicated. Florida just passed a bill eliminating daylight-saving time but Congress has to approve it. I’m sure the Democrats and Republicans will find some way to bicker about this as well.
Let’s Meet the Good (but Crazy) Doctor
Marcel André Henri Félix Petiot (1897−1946) was born in Auxerre, France. During his childhood, Petiot committed many criminal acts including discharging a gun in school, robbery, and destruction of public property. It was also documented that he tortured small animals and enjoyed setting fires—all classic signs of a serial killer. Petiot was diagnosed as mentally ill and finished his basic education at a “special” school in Paris.
He served on the front during World War I where he was wounded and gassed. Sent to various rest homes, Petiot was arrested for multiple thefts. Thrown into prison, Petiot was again diagnosed with mental illness. So, what did the French officials do? They sent Petiot back to the front where he attempted to blow off one of his feet with a grenade. This exploit managed to get him honorably discharged (Corporal Klinger from M*A*S*H certainly would have been proud).
Petiot earned his medical degree in 1921 whereupon he set up practice in Villeneuve-sur-Yonne. He soon earned a nefarious reputation as a drug supplier, abortionist, and a thief. He also likely claimed his first victim in 1926. That same year, Petiot won the mayoral election which gave him the opportunity to embezzle the city’s funds. One year later, Petiot married Georgette and within a year, a son was born. By 1932, the citizens had figured him out and he moved his family to Paris. Read More “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde”
“Stew blends the dark history of buildings in Paris that are associated with the infamous deeds of the Gestapo with contrasting insights into the bravery of the French people, who, at great risk to themselves and their families, secretly resisted the German Occupation.”
Stanley Booker, MBE, RAF (Ret.), Chevalier de la Légion d’honneur
Stewart Ross’ book is full of interesting documents and research, it put you well on the tracks of Marie Antoinette, Danton, Robespierre and many more, whether in Paris or in Versailles, extremely interesting and easy to read!
Raphaelle Crevet | Certified Tour Guide, Paris, France
