Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The War Memorial of 1914-1918, also known as the Victory Monument, is a memorial building located in Aubagne, in the Bouches-du-Rhône. Inaugurated in the first quarter of the 20th century, it pays tribute to the Aubagnais soldiers who died during the Great War. Its design is part of the national movement for the construction of monuments to the dead, often financed by public subscription and carried by the municipalities.

The post-war period in France was marked by collective mourning and a desire to perpetuate the memory of the sacrifices made. Monuments to the dead become civic symbols, often placed in central places such as public squares or in front of town halls. In Aubagne, as elsewhere in Provence, these buildings adopt various styles, sometimes combining patriotic allegories (Victoire, Poilu) and local references.

There have been no major changes to the monument since its creation, but it is likely that it has been regularly maintained, such as most memorial buildings. Monuments to the dead of this period are usually designed to last, with resistant materials such as stone or bronze, limiting the need for structural restoration. This monument is closely linked to the local history of Aubagne, a city affected by the massive mobilization of its inhabitants between 1914 and 1918.

As in many French communes, the 11 November ceremonies take on a particular dimension, bringing together veterans, families and authorities to honour the missing. Its inauguration was probably a significant event for the population. Today, the Victory Monument remains a place of recollection and memory, integrated with official commemorations.

It enjoys implicit heritage protection as a war memorial, although it is not always classified or listed in the Historical Monuments Inventory. Its value lies as much in its symbolism as in its anchoring in the Aubagnais urban landscape. The Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur has many similar monuments, often characterized by regional artistic elements, such as sculptures inspired by antiquity or Mediterranean motifs.

Aubagne is part of this tradition, while reflecting the national norms of the era: a stele or statue on a base, with engraved inscriptions of the names of the dead for the homeland. Unlike some more elaborate monuments (such as the Arc de Triomphe de l'Etoile or the Tombereau de Douaumont), local buildings such as that of Aubagne favour sobriety and accessibility. Their strength lies in their proximity to citizens, serving as support for the transmission of memory to succeeding generations, especially during school ceremonies or annual tributes.

Although less known than other memorial sites, this monument contributes to the formation of a collective identity around the sacrifice of the soldiers of 14-18. It also illustrates the commitment of the communes to the preservation of memory, at a time when France heals its wounds and seeks to unify the country around republican values, after the divisions of the war.

External links