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Refuge des Sages was used by the passeurs of the Risoux Forest

More than 100 Swiss wartime activists were accused, fined or imprisoned for charging money and profiteering from smuggling during the war, despite the selfless bravery. Passeurs admitted to carrying contraband such as chocolate and cigarettes during their journeys, to keep the Nazis off the scent, as this only involved a fine, instead of being interned in a concentration camp or, worse still, instant death by shooting. It has only been since 2009 that the passeurs have officially been recognised.

Several memorials to them can be found in the Vallée de Joux. A metal plaque can be seen near the top of the rock-climbing route through the Gy de l’Echelle in the Grand Risoux Forest, commemorating the movement of Jewish orphans. In 2014, an official memorial was unveiled at Le Pont and at Chapelle-des-Bois to pay tribute to the passeurs of the Risoux.

For further information on the passeurs, visit www.lespasseursdememoire.ch or www.randodespasseurs.com.