Historical Monument 19 décembre 2022 (≈ 2022)
Listing by order.
1er quart du XXe siècle
Construction of the monument
Construction of the monument 1er quart du XXe siècle (≈ 2025)
Period of construction by André Papillard.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Heritage classified
The monument to the dead, in full, located road of Lyon, on Parcel No. 30, shown in the cadastre section AE, as delimited in red on the plan annexed to the decree: inscription by order of 19 December 2022
Key figures
André Papillard - Architect
Designer of the monument, inspired by ancient temples.
Jules Viennet - Sculptor and painter
Author of bronze medallions models.
René Bouveret - Horticulturalist
Initial landscaping around the monument.
Origin and history
The monument to the dead of Arbois, erected at the beginning of the twentieth century, is distinguished by its pyramidal structure of 8 meters high, composed of a wall preceded by two canned protodoric columns. These columns support a pediment surmounted by a draped catafalk, carved in a yellow stone extracted from Montesserin quarries. Between the columns, a blue marble plate bears the names of the 137 Arboisians who died for France. Two bronze medallions, inspired by the works of Jules Viennet, adorn the columns: one depicts a veiled figure symbolizing Arbois with the bell tower of Saint-Just in the background, the other a casqué character surrounded by laurels, allegory of France. Access to the monument is done by a five-step walk, formerly framed by a balustrade that has now disappeared.
Designed by architect André Papillard, originally from Arbois and trained in the Fine Arts of Paris, the monument is inspired by the entrance of ancient temples, mixing eclecticism and Art Deco influences. Papillard, then architect of the PTT and the city of Clermont, chose this motif to highlight the solemnity of the place. At the back, an initial landscaping, designed by René Bouveret, a local horticulturalist, included funerary species (ifs, cypresses, Wellingtonia) and ornamental plants (capucines, cosmos, thoughts), some of which have now disappeared or been replaced. The monument, located on the national road from Lyon to Strasbourg, symbolically extends the street of the Town Hall, marking the communal commitment in memory of the soldiers.
Ranked Historic Monument by decree of 19 December 2022, the monument to the dead of Arbois is today owned by the commune. Its listing in the inventory protects the entire structure, including sculptural elements and bronze medallions. The materials used, such as Montesserin stone and blue marble, as well as allegorical symbols, reflect a desire to perpetuate collective memory while integrating local references, such as the bell tower of Saint-Just. The accuracy of its location, noted as "passable" (level 5/10), would situate the monument on the 21st road to Lyon, although adjustments may be necessary for an exact identification.
