A somber granite structure stands before us. This is the Monument aux morts du 19e siecle a war memorial in Pere Lachaise Cemetery. It remembers the soldiers who died during the 1870-1871 Siege of Paris.
This imposing monument isn’t just a simple memorial. It’s a testament to a specific historical event a tragic siege. The Treaty of Frankfurt mandated the respectful upkeep of soldiers’ graves. France honored this by creating dignified burial sites for nearly 95 000 soldiers. This included French German and unidentified soldiers. The state bought or received land often expropriating it to establish these military graves. Each grave featured a standardized cast iron border and a plaque.
In Paris 4413 French soldiers were buried in the Hopitaux Cemetery. The Monument aux morts du 19e siecle stands as a powerful symbol. It specifically honors the memory of 189 National Guardsmen. They died in the Battle of Buzenval. A public subscription funded its initial construction.
The Monument aux morts du 19e siecle is more than just stone and metal. It’s a square structure measuring 12 meters on each side. It occupies 144 square meters. The grey granite from Cherbourg was used for its construction. Sculptures of wreaths and branches of oak and laurel decorate it. The design is by architect Alfred Riviere. Cast iron statues of a soldier an artilleryman a mobile guard and a marine surround the monument. These life-sized figures were cast by Denonvilliers. The main structure is a pyramid 65 meters high. Cannonballs sit at each corner.
The inscription reads Monument erected by the State to the soldiers who died during the siege of 1870-1871. Another inscription indicates Military graves. Law of. A small garden enclosed by a simple gate surrounds the monument. Before World War I families would attach photographs mourning wreaths and tricolor ribbons to the gate. These were tributes to soldiers who had gone off to war. Amédée Fraigneau vividly described this in Le Monde moderne in 1896 highlighting the profound grief of the families.
The foundations of the Monument aux morts du 19e siecle are remarkably deep extending 40 meters. Lepoutre and Hericourt were the contractors responsible for this monumental task. This memorial’s depth mirrors the profound loss and enduring memory it represents. The Monument aux morts du 19e siecle is a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made during a tumultuous time in French history.