General theme
Over the years, both the French and Spanish sides, as well as the English, have carried out a vast, highly fragmented study of the escapes to Spain over the Pyrenees between 1941 and 1944.
Defining the cultural itinerary
These trails used by escapees and smugglers are often referred to as "freedom trails" by our local associations. We'll call them "Itinéraires Liberté Pyrénées".
Historical and cultural background
The Second World War (1939-1945), with its millions of deaths and the Nazi regime's determination to exterminate the Jews, left a dramatic mark on the history of Europe and the world.
France
Spain
Portugal
Andorra
United Kingdom
Belgium
Germany
Italy
Romania
During the Second World War, from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean, the Pyrenees were crossed by more than 55,000 escapees.
The central part of the Pyrenees (Ariège, Haute-Garonne and Hautes-Pyrénées) is home to the most important crossing routes, known as " Itinéraires Liberté Pyrénées Europe ". They form a close link between several nations: France, Spain, Andorra, Portugal and the United Kingdom.
They bear witness to the crossing of the Pyrenees by thousands of Resistance fighters, aviators, Jews and other escapees fleeing the Nazi regime.
The ILPE are an opportunity to discover heritage, exceptional landscapes and traditions, and pay tribute to these heroes.
The crossing of the Pyrenees to Spain and London... for Resistance fighters, airmen, Jews and many others are heroic moments that must be remembered and preserved.
Our Blog / News
13th annual Council of Europe Cultural Routes Forum
In Visegrad-Hungary in September 2024 " In Visegrad-Hungary in September 2024, the 13th annual forum of the Council of Europe's Cultural Routes was held,Professor Robert Belot -President of the...
Escape from Eysses prison
Denis BRUHL and his family Denis BRUHL is the son of Robert BRUHL, who escaped to England in January 1944. Denis has gathered together numerous documents and testimonies to understand how this...
The partisans' song was born on the Col de Banyuls
Famous writers such as Maurice Druon and Joseph Kessel have said that it was at the Col de Banyuls, on leaving France, that the song of the partisans was born. For 11 sites, panels with commentary and illustrated with period photographs will complete the information for hikers taking these "paths". They will...
Third-generation families, schoolchildren and the general public in our countries must be able to do their duty to remember.
Places such as caves, inns, hospices and railway stations need to be preserved and even enhanced, opening up this environment to culture, heritage, traditions, thenatural environment and tourism in all its aspects.