Gisors Unveils New Cultural Landmarks: “National Cinema Centre,” “Guy-de-Maupassant Alley,” and “Thérèse-Baton Media Library”
Gisors, France – The community of communes of Vexin Normand, under the leadership of President Alexandre Rassaërt, has announced the renaming of key cultural institutions within the town. The future cinema will be known as “The National Cinema Center,” a walkway along the Epte River will be christened “Guy-de-Maupassant alley,” and the new media library will bear the name “Thérèse-Baton media library.” These decisions reflect a commitment too both ancient continuity and the recognition of local figures.
The forecourt of the future cinema in Gisors will retain its historical name, “Day of celebration.” This choice, along with the renaming of the walkway, signifies a desire to maintain a connection to the town’s heritage. The “Guy-de-Maupassant alley” honors the current gisors library, which will be replaced by the new media library.
The new media library, a 1,200 square meter facility, will offer an expanded focus on sound and image, complementing the existing Etrépagny media library. Its naming in honor of Thérèse Baton recognizes her significant contributions as a resistance figure in Gisors. Born on August 28, 1899, Thérèse Baton was the daughter of Colonel Léopold O’diette and Madeleine Champy. She married Marcel Baton before the war, who was taken prisoner in 1940.
During the war, thérèse Baton played a crucial role in the resistance by participating in the publication of a clandestine newspaper, “the small wings of France.” her responsibilities included the perilous task of postal dissemination and the preparation of newspaper packages for distribution by thirty agents across the Paris region.
Alexandre Rassaërt recounted the tragic end of Thérèse Baton’s life during the vote for the media library’s name. He stated, “She is imprisoned in health. She was deported to the prison of Trier, then to that of Sarrebruck. On October 13, 1943, she was sentenced to 10 years of work forced by the Volksgerichtshof Senate.On December 31, 1944, she died of exhaustion at the Ravensbrück camp, while her sister-in-law, Lucienne O’diette, who arrived at the camp before her, seeks vain to see her.”
The unanimous vote by elected officials to name the media library after Thérèse Baton ensures that her legacy will be remembered by all users of the community media library in Gisors. Residents now eagerly await the inauguration of the Cinema Day of Festival,the Guy de Maupassant alley,and the Thérèse Baton media library,all set to become integral parts of the town center.
