As the color drained from the sky, a group gathered before the white-stoned basilica of St. Denis, where dozens of French kings are buried, to pay homage to their ancestors.
Not to King Louis XIII, who formerly authorized the slave trade in 1642, or his son, the Sun King, who introduced slavery’s legal code, both of whose remains are buried inside the gothic building.
They came for the victims, who are honored by a modest memorial outside.
“This is Jean-Pierre Calodat,” said Josée Grard, 81, running her fingers along the name written on the globe-shaped sculpture as tambour drums echoed around her.
His wife, Marie Lette, must be nearby.”There are just four memorials like this around France.
Persons:
Denis, King Louis XIII, Sun King, Jean, Pierre Calodat, ”, Josée Grard, Marie Lette
Organizations:
Eiffel
Locations:
France, Trocadéro Gardens