Plaque commémorative de l’école Auber War memorial

Carved into the very rock of Nice, a silent sentinel stands watch. This is the War Memorial of Nice, a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made during the First World War. The memorial’s location, on the Quai Rauba-Capeu, is no accident. It sits along the path of the old Chemin des Ponchettes, a route that once led from Cours Saleya to the Lympia port. The memorial is quite literally etched into history, occupying the space of a former stone quarry used in the construction of the harbor quays and pier. Completed in 1927, the War Memorial of Nice stands an imposing 32 meters tall. Its Art Deco style, the work of Niçois architect Roger Séassal, conveys both strength and sorrow. The central niche, framed by a grand arch, holds a powerful message. Reliefs on either side symbolize the duality of war and peace, violence and appeasement. These were sculpted by Alfred Janniot, the same artist who created the Sun Fountain at Place Masséna. Between these reliefs, an inscription reads: “The City of Nice to its sons who died for France: Remember the works that your fathers accomplished in their time and you will receive an immortal name and glory.” Above this, the eagle, symbol of Nice, watches over the names of the fallen. Five steps, representing the five years of the Great War, lead up to the niche. There, a massive urn bears the names of key battles: Somme, Marne, Verdun, Artois. Below, on the wall, are inscribed the names of 4,000 Nice residents who made the ultimate sacrifice. Surrounding the forecourt, steles decorated with bas-reliefs depict the various branches of the military: artillery, air force, cavalry, engineers, infantry, and navy. The inauguration, on January 29, 1928, was a solemn affair, led by Marshal Foch and attended by officers from England, America, and Italy. Families of the fallen placed identity plaques into a bronze reliquary, which was then sealed within the funeral urn. In a remarkable discovery in 2018, a bronze eagle reliquary was found within the memorial. Inside, after being carefully scanned, were discovered rings, bracelets, and nearly 2,000 more plaques of fallen soldiers. The War Memorial of Nice stands not only as a testament to the past, but as a living memorial. It reminds us of the human cost of conflict and the enduring importance of remembrance.