Description
Erected in 1924 by architect Jacques Alleman, Lille?s monument to the dead occupies a site steeped in history, in the heart of Place Rihour, on the remains of the former town hall, which burned down in 1916. When you visit this site, you are entering a place where collective memory is asserting itself with singular force: the choice to honor the people of Lille who died for Peace, and not for the Fatherland, marks a rare desire at the time, despite the protests of veterans.
The monument quickly became a symbolic landmark and the starting point for a commemorative trail dedicated to the great figures of Lille?s resistance during the First World War. As you stroll through the surrounding area, you'll come across the names of personalities such as Louise de Bettignies, Léon Trulin and the members of the Jacquet Committee, whose courageous actions had a profound impact on local history.
The site is an invitation to discover both heritage and memory. As you stop by, you will feel the echo of a town that has chosen to pass on a message of peace, conveyed by a monument that has become one of the strongest symbols of its resilience.
