Billes Lucien & Marguerite

Billès, Lucien Billès, Marguerite Lucien and Marguerite Billès lived with their daughter Christiane (b. 1936) in Perpignan (Pyrénées Orientales), very close to the Spanish border. The location of their home attracted many victims of the German occupation of France, who were seeking to cross the border clandestinely into Spain. During the war, Lucien and Marguerite, active in the resistance, turned their house into a shelter for many such fugitives, including Jews. Had they been discovered aiding Jewish refugees, they would certainly have been deported and likely killed. Among the persons who received their help were the well-known journalist Joseph Kessel and his nephew, Maurice Druon. Originally from Russia, Kessel grew up in Nice. When WWII broke out, he and Maurice left the city for Saint Raphael (Var) near the sea, where they found refuge with Kessel's friend Germaine Sablon, who had fled from Paris. But in December 1942, after the Germans invaded the south of France, they decided to escape to England via Spain. The three refugees arrived in Perpignan, where they received the help of the Billès. Joseph and Maurice stayed hidden in Lucien and Marguerite's home for six days, despite the great danger of denouncement. Lucien then guided Maurice and Joseph toward the Spanish border, which they successfully crossed, and from Spain they managed to arrive to England. Maurice Druon later recalled: "Lucien’s house was a real shelter, a place of rescue for many people… all the members of his family took a great risk upon themselves to help and save us." Among other Jews who were saved thanks to the Billès' help was François Gregh, Jacques Strasfogel and many others. On April 26, 2011, Yad Vashem recognized Lucien and Marguerite Billès as Righteous Among the Nations.