Allocation of the project 1921 (≈ 1921)
Maurice Vaury wins the contest.
1ère moitié du XXe siècle
Construction period
Construction period 1ère moitié du XXe siècle (≈ 2007)
Post-First World War context.
28 décembre 2021
Historical Monument
Historical Monument 28 décembre 2021 (≈ 2021)
Total protection of the monument.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Heritage classified
The Warrior Monument, in its entirety, located in Salford Place, uncadastreed, as shown in purple on the plan annexed to the Order: Order of 28 December 2021
Key figures
Maurice Vaury - Sculptor
Winner of the competition in 1921.
Bernard - Associate architect
Collaborator for the architectural part.
Origin and history
The Clermont-Ferrand Warrior Monument was designed in the same spirit as the Carmes Cemetery Gate, but dedicated specifically to Auvergnat fighters. Its location was the subject of numerous proposals before being fixed to the Albert Elizabeth Avenue Round Point (now Salford Square), giving it a significant urban dimension. This choice made it possible to integrate the monument into a central space, reinforcing its symbolic and memorial impact.
The project was awarded to Maurice Vaury in 1921, following a double competition. Vaury, the winning sculptor, joined architect Bernard for the architectural part. The monument, 12 meters high, consists of a base decorated with three bas-reliefs evoking emblematic battles (Marne, Verdun, Somme), surmounted by a statue of a Grenadier soldier. The stone used, mainly from Montpeyroux or Volvic, and the spiral structure invite a cyclical reading of the events of the war.
The pedestal, decorated with high reliefs depicting combat scenes, is based on a base reminiscent of casemates, highlighting the link between architecture and the commemorative function. Filed as a Historical Monument in total by order of 28 December 2021, it belongs to the commune of Clermont-Ferrand. Its current location, Salford Square, corresponds to the official address recorded in the Merimée base, although GPS coordinates suggest a close location at 4 Avenue de Grande Bretagne.
The design of the monument reflects a desire for dynamism, with a pyramidal composition and a spiral movement that embraces the soldier, symbolizing both the momentum of the fighters and the continuity of battles. Local materials, such as the Volvic Stone, anchor the work in its territory, while its structure evokes military fortifications, creating a dialogue between collective memory and architectural heritage.
