Hostages Square, Square in the historic center of Morlaix, France
Place des Otages is a small square in the historic center of Morlaix, a town in northwestern France. It is paved with cobblestones and surrounded by old town houses, giving it the feel of a traditional Breton town center.
The square takes its name from an event in 1943, when residents of Morlaix were taken as hostages during the German occupation in World War II. They were deported from this spot to Nazi camps, which is why the place holds a heavy place in local memory.
The houses around the square have wooden carvings and colorful facades dating from the 16th century. Walking through, you get a direct sense of the traditional architecture of the Breton old town.
The square sits close to the main streets of the old town and is easy to reach on foot. The surrounding lanes are pleasant to walk through, and benches offer a spot to pause during a stroll.
Even though the square feels like a calm passage today, a memorial plaque on site directly names the residents deported in 1943. It is easy to walk past without noticing, yet it sits right in the middle of everyday foot traffic.
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