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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

Villegouge's memorial to the dead is dedicated to soldiers who fell during the First World War. Raised in the first half of the 20th century, it stands on the church square, in front of a calvary. Originally, he was backed by the cemetery wall, reflecting his initial connection to mourning and commemoration of the missing. Its current, more central location highlights its collective memory role for the local community.

Designed in 1925 by sculptors Perrier and Roganeau, the monument takes the form of a horizontal wall adorned with a winged Victoire, dressed in an antique and framed by a plant crown. This artistic choice symbolizes both the glory of the soldiers and the hope of peace after the devastation of the war. The Victoire, a recurring figure in the monuments to the dead of this time, embodies here the resilience and recognition due to the combatants.

Listed as a historical monument, the monument to the dead of Villegouge was inscribed entirely by order of 21 October 2014. This official protection reflects its heritage value and its importance in local history. Owned by the municipality, there is still a place of recollection and transmission of memory, anchored in the urban landscape and in the lives of the inhabitants.

The location of the monument, in front of the church and close to the old cemetery, reinforces its sacred and commemorative character. In Villegouge, as in many French municipalities, these monuments play an essential social role: they recall the sacrifice of soldiers while uniting the community around a shared history. Their presence in public space perpetuates the duty of memory, generation after generation.

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