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Origin and history

The Monument to the memory of the Children of Upper Vienna who died for the defense of the Patria in 1870-1871 is a memorial dedicated to the 903 soldiers of the department who fell during the Franco-German war. Located in Limoges, on the Cours Jourdan, it stands out as one of the few monuments of this scale dedicated to this conflict. The initiative came from an association of limougeaud veterans in 1891, culminating in an official commission to sculptor Adolphe-Martial Thabard in 1892, a native of the city and already author of other local and Parisian works.

The final project, chosen from four models in April 1894, represents an allegory of the Haute-Vienne surrounded by five figures: an officer, a franc-tireur, a clearing of the National Mobile Guard, and a infantryman. The bronzes were cast by Antoine Durenne's workshops, and work began in May 1895. The inauguration took place on 1 October 1899 in the presence of Alexander Millerand, then Minister of Trade and Industry. The monument, characterized by its realism, has been listed as historical monuments since May 11, 2001.

The work combines a granite structure and bronze sculptures, with a commemorative inscription engraved on the pedestal: "In memory of the children of Upper Vienna who died for the defense of the Patria in 1870-1871". Its initial location, back from Jourdan Square, and its iconography reflect both the tribute to the victims and the local identity. Today, there remains a major testimony of collective memory related to this conflict often overshadowed by world wars.

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