Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The monument to the dead of Montbéliard, located in the square of Remembrance, is a tribute to the 376 soldiers of the commune who fell during the First World War. It takes the form of an obelisk surmounted by a bust of hairy, symbol of victory and heroism, surrounded by a branch of laurel. At its base, a female allegory, the diaichotte, dressed in the traditional Montbéliard costume, offers flowers and ears of wheat to the soldier, evoking the resurrection and the recognition of the city. The factories in the background recall the industrial importance of Montbéliard, especially with Peugeot plants, active during the war effort. The sculptures, made of Carrara marble, are the work of Armand Bloch, while the architect Maurice Boutterin designs the ensemble.

The initial project, launched in 1919, was first abandoned in 1921 before being relaunched in 1922. Inaugurated in 1924 near the castle, the monument was moved in 1992 to its current location, where it joined other memorials, including that of the 1870 war, also carved by Bloch. The sober inscription "Montbéliard to his children" reflects the will of the inhabitants to celebrate heroism rather than death. Ranked a historic monument in December 2022, it embodies the collective memory and industrial and cultural heritage of the city.

Armand Bloch (1866-1933), a Montbéliardian sculptor trained in Paris, made eleven memorials in Franche-Comté after 1918, often for nearby communes. Its style combines symbolism (lauriers, allegories) and realism (traditional costumes, industrial landscapes). Maurice Boutterin (1882-1970), bisontin architect and Grand Prix de Rome, oversees the design of the monument, integrating local demands: avoid the direct evocation of death and favour patriotic glory. Their collaboration illustrates the tensions between commemorative art and community expectations in a region marked by industry and Lutheranism.

The Remembrance Square, built in the 1930s, now includes several memorials, including the 21st Battalion of foot fighters. The 1992 displacement, linked to urban redevelopment, generated debate, but created a space dedicated to the memory of 20th century conflicts. The noble materials (marble of Carrara, bronze) and the symbols (flowers, ears, laurel) underline the local and universal dimension of this monument, both a place of mourning and citizen pride.

External links