“The City of Nice to its sons who died for France.” These poignant words are etched into the Plaque commémorative du quartier Madonette-Terron, a stark reminder of the sacrifices made during World War I. Right before you, carved into the cliff face, stands a testament to the resilience of Nice. The Plaque commémorative du quartier Madonette-Terron is a war memorial, completed in 1927. It’s part of a larger monument, the Monument aux Morts, which honors the over 3,600 men from Nice who perished in the Great War. The monument’s design, a powerful blend of Art Deco and classical styles, speaks of both the sorrow of loss and the hope for peace.
The main section of the Monument aux Morts features two high reliefs. One depicts the harsh realities of war, while the other symbolizes the tranquility of peace. In a niche above them, an urn bears the names of major battles fought – Somme, Marne, Verdun, Artois – names that echo with the memory of conflict. Imagine the families of the fallen, gathering here in 1928 for the inauguration, their grief still raw. They placed plaques bearing their loved ones’ names into a bronze reliquary, which was then sealed within the urn, a poignant act of remembrance.
The Plaque commémorative du quartier Madonette-Terron, with its inscription, serves as a powerful reminder of the human cost of war and the enduring legacy of those who fought for their city and their country.