The year 2020 marked the 90th anniversary of the death of Henryk Gierszynski (1848-1930), a physician, émigré and social activist, writer and politician who was held in high esteem by representatives of the French Polish community. On this occasion, the Polonica Institute financed the making and installation of a commemorative plaque dedicated to him.

It was installed in the wall of the villa Mon Repos in Ouarville, where he lived and practised medicine for more than half a century. The rectangular plaque of white marble with a dark red inscription refers to the Polish national colours. Also remembered is the memory of Gierszyński's wife Maria Bukowska (daughter of Henryk Bukowski - a January insurgent, political émigré settled in Sweden, where he became known as an excellent antiquarian and collector and patron of the arts) and his son Henri, who died for France.

As a teenager, Gierszynski fought in the January Uprising, then took part in the Franco-Prussian War (1870-1871), and was awarded the French Military Medal for his bravery. He graduated from the Higher Polish School in Paris and studied medicine at the Sorbonne. As a doctor he worked in Ouarville near Chartres, where he settled permanently. His estate was a mainstay of Polishness, and he was active, among other things, in preserving the entire legacy of such institutions as the Rapperswil Museum. For his activities he was awarded the Commander's Cross with Star of the Order of Polonia Restituta.

Gierszynski's house in Ouarville fell into disrepair in the second half of the 20th century. It still exists today thanks to the efforts of Mr and Mrs Villet, who - after buying the property - renovated the building with their own money.

The plaque that was made commemorates the place where prominent Poles lived and worked.

Executed by: Society for the Protection of Polish Historical Monuments and Graves in France.

The restoration work was carried out in 2020 as part of the Polonics Institute's strategic programme "Protection of Polish cultural heritage abroad".