“Aux Lillois soldats et civils morts pour la Paix” These words etched in stone greet you at the Monument aux Morts in Lille. This imposing memorial stands proudly on Place Rihour a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made during the Great War. It wasn’t always here. The site once held the city hall destroyed by fire in 1916. After the war Mayor Gustave Delory decided to build a new city hall near the Porte de Paris. This decision freed up space for something else. The city council voted to erect the Monument aux Morts.
The year was 1924. Jacques Alleman the architect and Edgar Boutry the sculptor were selected to create this memorial. Their initial design was titled “Melancholia” reflecting the dark times of the German occupation from 1914 to 1918. However the plans changed. Lille was creating a network of memorials honoring the war’s impact. Memorials dedicated to figures like Louise de Bettignies Leon Trulin and the victims of the 18 Ponts powder explosion were already planned.
The sculptures for the Monument aux Morts were redesigned. They focused on allegories representing the harsh realities of the occupation. One powerful allegory remembers the tragic fate of Lille’s captives. Their freedom depended on maintaining public order in the occupied city. In July 1915 30 hostages were imprisoned in the Citadel. Another 131 were deported to Germany after workers refused to support the occupying army. In November 1916 300 civilians including Mayor Delory himself were sent to a camp to pressure the French government to release German hostages.
Despite some wanting a more patriotic inscription the city chose a dedication emphasizing peace. The Monument aux Morts stands not just as a memorial to soldiers but also to the civilians of Lille who lost their lives for peace. As you gaze upon this memorial let its sobering message resonate. It reminds us of the devastating consequences of war and the enduring strength of a community striving for peace. Remember the sacrifices made here on Place Rihour. Remember the Lillois who fought and died for a future free from conflict.