Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The monument to the dead of Montauban, commissioned in 1921 by the local committee, was entrusted to the sculptor Antoine Bourdelle. Between 1921 and 1925, several projects were proposed before retaining that of a column temple housing an altar of the dead, topped by a triumphant bronze France. This bronze, melted in 1925 and delivered in 1926, dominates a base decorated with symbols (Law, Intelligence) and bears the names of the Montalbanians who fell in the two world wars.

The construction of the column temple began in 1928, for a solemn inauguration on 13 November 1932. The monument, located Cours Foucault, also includes commemorative plaques for the disappeared from Indochina and Algeria. Its architecture combines reinforced cement and bronze, with twelve columns framing the altar. Ranked a historic monument in 2005, it embodies collective memory and national mourning.

The victorious France, an allegorical figure of nine meters, turns its gaze towards the horizon, symbolizing hope despite the sacrifices. Bourdelle blends classicism (columns) and modernity (materials), creating a unique gathering place. The monument also reflects the evolution of tributes to the dead, moving from simple steles to monumental ensembles after 1918.

The sources (Wikipedia, Monumentum) highlight its local anchor: the Foucault course, the heart of Montauban (Tarn-et-Garonne), and its status as a communal property. The Insee 82121 code and Creative Commons license for images complete the administrative data. Its registration in 2005 devotes its heritage and artistic value.

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