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Origin and history

The monument to the dead of Pézenas, located in the square Jean-Moulin, pays tribute to the soldiers of the commune who fell during the conflicts of the twentieth century, especially those of 1914-1918 and 1939-1945. It is distinguished by an architecture inspired by antiquity, with a semi-circle colonnade (exhedron) surrounding a bronze statue representing a hairy. The latter holds in one hand a stick of Esculape, medical symbol, and in the other a helmet, evoking both war and protection. The inscriptions recall the iconic battles (Marne, Verdun) and honour the 'dark or glorious artisans of victory'.

The monument was designed by architects Charles Bunel and Jean Béraud around a statue created by sculptor Joachim Costa, originally exhibited in Paris in 1920. The statue was melted by the Rudier foundry in 1922, the year the project was adopted. The monument, 4 metres high, was received on 24 July 1924 and inaugurated on 1 November 1924, for a cost of 85,000 francs. The names of soldiers who died in combat are engraved on commemorative plaques.

Ranked as a historical monument on October 18, 2018, this monument is one of 42 protected dead monuments in Occitanie for their architectural, artistic or historical value. Its location, near downtown Pézenas (Hérault), makes it a central place of memory for the local community. The choice of an ancient style and the symbol of the statue reflect the commemorative tendencies of the inter-war period, combining tribute to the victims and celebration of victory.

The monument is located at the address Frédéric Mistral Square (or 1bis rue Paul Henri Vergnes according to GPS sources), in the department of the Hérault. Owned by the municipality, it remains accessible to the public, although practical information on visits is not detailed in available sources. His recent ranking underscores his heritage importance in the Occitanie region, where he stands alongside other protected commemorative works.

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