Perhaps you have passed by without realizing its significance. The Monument à la gloire du service de santé militaire stands as a tribute to the dedication of military medical personnel. This Lyon war memorial honors their service during conflicts of the 20th century.
This monument is located near Place d’Arsonval. It sits at the corner of Boulevard Jean XXIII and Avenue des Frères Lumière. The area is surrounded by medical institutions. These include Édouard-Herriot Hospital the Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy and a nursing school.
The Monument à la gloire du service de santé militaire has a pyramidal structure. It features a main sculpture elevated in three stages. First are three steps. Then a sculpted bas-relief block. Finally a block with the inscription “À LA GLOIRE DU SERVICE DE SANTÉ”.
The sculpture is of a woman dressed in antique style. She carries a colossal sword. This represents an allegory of Victory. On the main panel the bas-reliefs show nurses doctors stretchers patients and wounded soldiers. A mountain rescue dog is also present. It is recognizable by the bag marked with a red cross. A large cross with the caduceus is at the center.
The Monument à la gloire du service de santé militaire resulted from a competition. It was organized by the “Committee of the National Monument.” The committee was dedicated to honoring members of the Health Service who died for France. Professor Nicolas led the committee. The mayor of Lyon Édouard Herriot fully supported the project. A national fundraising campaign was launched. Each region organized efforts to collect donations.
Architect Paul Bellemain and sculptor Louis Bertola collaborated on the winning design. Bertola also sculpted two bas-reliefs for the Île aux Cygnes monument. The construction was rapid. L’Avenir a workers’ cooperative used modern methods. The sculpture was directly carved.
In 1988 a commemorative stamp was dedicated to the Monument à la gloire du service de santé militaire. In 2019 the monument and its base were listed as historical monuments. This designation recognizes its architectural artistic and historical value. It is among 40 war memorials in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region that received protection.
In 1985, the monument was moved 15 meters. This move was part of the Grange Blanche redevelopment. It shifted from Lyon’s 3rd arrondissement to the 8th.
Today the Monument à la gloire du service de santé militaire requires some care. There are proposals for its renovation and cleaning. The paved area is damaged. The landscaping needs maintenance. Such efforts hope to ensure this monument continues to stand. It is a fitting symbol honoring those who served. This tribute to the military health service ensures their sacrifices are remembered.