Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Monument to the Dead of Bordeaux, dedicated to the soldiers of the First World War, is in front of the church of Saint-Bruno. Designed by municipal architect Jacques d'Welles, it was built between 1928 and 1929, replacing a first project dated 1922. Its sleek style, without superfluous decoration, rests on side masses where the names of the missing are inscribed in golden letters. Funeral lanterns, an octagonal basin and plane trees frame the whole, creating an atmosphere of recollection.

This monument is part of a period of intense commemoration after the Great War, reflecting the need for municipalities to pay tribute to local victims. Bordeaux, like other French cities, has chosen a sober and collective approach, favouring the list of names with warrior symbols. The integration of elements such as the lanterns of the dead and the basin emphasizes a spiritual and memorial dimension, typical of monuments to the deaths of the interwar period.

Ranked a Historic Monument in 2015, the site includes not only the main building, but also its place, lights, trees and pond. This comprehensive protection reflects the desire to preserve the commemorative ensemble in its landscape and urban context. Owned by the commune, there remains an accessible place of memory, anchored in the district of Saint-Bruno.

The architect Jacques d'Welles, a local figure, marked this project with a minimalist approach, contrasting with the more decorated monuments of the time. The materials and layout reflect a functional aesthetic, where the readability of the names prevails. GPS coordinates and the precise address (185 Rue Georges Bonnac) allow to locate it in the Bordeaux landscape, between historical heritage and living public space.

External links