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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The monument to the dead of Sète, located in the department of Hérault in the Occitanie region, is dedicated to the soldiers of the commune who died during the conflicts of the twentieth century. It is distinguished by its location in the Château d'eau garden, near the city centre, and its sober yet expressive architecture. The monument consists of a stone pedestal bearing a high relief in marble, representing a hairy greeting a deceased comrade, accompanied by a woman veiled in mourning. A rectangular stone wall, adorned with the inscription "Aux enfants de Ce mort pour la France" in golden letters, completes the whole. Unlike other similar monuments, Sète has no names of soldiers.

Inaugurated on August 12, 1923, the monument is the work of the sculptor brothers Marius Roussel and Paul Roussel. Its artistic style and its strong symbolism make it a significant testament to local collective memory. The monument was listed as a historical monument on October 18, 2018, joining a set of 42 monuments with dead protected in Occitanie for their architectural, artistic or historical value. This official recognition underscores its heritage importance and its role in preserving the memory of 20th century conflicts.

The monument is located at Marx Dormoy Avenue, in the city of Sète. It has been fully protected since 2018 and belongs to the municipality. Its precise location, although rated as poor (level 5/10), remains a place of recollection and memory for the inhabitants. The choice not to engrave names on the monument reinforces its universal character, paying tribute to all the setinous soldiers without distinction, while inviting a collective reflection on sacrifice and loss.

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