“A crescent moon and a star, what do they signify?” a curious onlooker might ask at the Place du souvenir Français. This war memorial, also known as the Porte d’Orient, stands proudly on Marseille’s Kennedy Corniche. It serves as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by the French Army of the Orient and those who fought in distant lands during the First World War. Dedicated in 1927, the Place du souvenir Français isn’t just a monument. It’s a gateway to understanding France’s intricate history.
The Place du souvenir Français was designed by architect Gaston Castel and sculptor Antoine Sartorio. They chose this specific location overlooking the Mediterranean to emphasize Marseille’s historical role as a gateway to the East. The monument’s design is rich in symbolism. A bronze Victory stands at the center of a grand white granite arch. This arch is adorned with a crescent moon and a star, flanked by figures representing land and air combatants. Two winged female figures symbolize heroism. Inscribed on the arch are the names and dates of major World War I campaigns.
Interestingly, the term “Armée d’Orient” has been used for three different French expeditionary forces throughout history. One was Napoleon’s force during the Egyptian campaign in 1798. Another was the unit sent to the Crimean War in 1853. And of course, the most recent refers to the force deployed to the Balkans during World War I. The Place du souvenir Français, while primarily commemorating World War I, also bears plaques honoring those who fell in later conflicts in North Africa and Indochina. These additions underscore France’s ongoing military engagements beyond the Great War. The monument carries a particular poignancy. It reminds us that the end of World War I, marked by the armistice with Bulgaria on September 29, 1918, didn’t signal the end of conflict for France.