If the bailout of gold from the Banque de France in 1940, nearly 97 billion francs at the time (40 billion euros today!), Which constituted the country’s treasure, was reported in many books, some incredible passages of this incredible adventure remain unknown. Among these, a somewhat hasty evacuation to Saint-Brieuc (Côtes-d’Armor).
In Save the gold of the Banque de France! The incredible journey (1940-1945)a reference work on the subject, published in 2002 by Editions du Look for noonTristan Gaston-Breton unearths many tasty anecdotes on the steep path of the convoys carrying these gold bars.
About fifty cities are involved
It all began in 1933. In April, Adolf Hitler was appointed Chancellor of Germany. Order is given to the Banque de France “identify and prepare for refuge” values. A first evacuation area for gold bars is set up in central France ….
