Défense de Traverser Sign
France
Circa 1942
Wood, paint

On permanent loan from the Friedman family – Edward, Judith, Benjamin, and Jacob

“Défense de Traverser” means “Do Not Cross” in French. This sign was erected to establish the line between the occupied zone and the unoccupied zone in France. Papers were required to cross this line legally. 

After the fall of France, travel became more and more restricted for Jews. The demarcation line separated the Occupied zone and the “Free Zone”. To move between the two zones, people needed either an identity card or a free movement card. Neither of these cards was available to Jews.