Général Ladreit de Lacharrière

Did the name Général Ladreit de Lacharrière ever cross your path before? Probably not, unless you’re a keen student of 19th-century French military history. Here, on this very spot, we commemorate Jules Marie Ladreit de Lacharrière, a name etched into the annals of Paris. Général Ladreit de Lacharrière wasn’t born into a life of battle. He hailed from Coux, a peaceful commune. Yet, destiny had other plans. He entered the military academy at Saint-Cyr in 1825. His career spanned decades, rising through the ranks from sub-lieutenant in 1827 to brigadier general in 1856. He saw action in seven campaigns in Africa between 1830 and 1840. He also fought bravely in the Italian campaign of 1859, distinguishing himself at Magenta and Solferino. Général Ladreit de Lacharrière could have rested on his laurels when the Franco-Prussian War broke out in 1870. He was in the reserves. But duty called. He requested command of an active brigade in the Army of Paris. During the siege of Paris, he led his troops with unwavering courage. In the Battle of Champigny, he was grievously wounded while leading the assault on Mont-Mesly, a hamlet of Créteil. His final words, uttered shortly before his death in Paris, resonate with the spirit of a true patriot: “If we have an army that knows how to die, France is saved.” Général Ladreit de Lacharrière’s legacy lives on not only in memory, but also etched in the streets of Paris. Rue Lacharrière stands as a testament to his sacrifice. The city of Créteil, where he fought his last battle, also honors him with a monument and a street named after him. He received the Legion of Honor (Grand Officer) and was a Commander of the Order of Saints-Maurice-et-Lazare. Général Ladreit de Lacharrière’s story is a stark reminder of the cost of freedom and the unwavering spirit of those who defend it.