Adoption of the draft 12 juillet 1927 (≈ 1927)
Project approved by the municipality.
11 novembre 1928
Official Inauguration
Official Inauguration 11 novembre 1928 (≈ 1928)
Presence of mayor and prefect.
9 août 2018
Registration historical monument
Registration historical monument 9 août 2018 (≈ 2018)
Total protection of the monument.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Heritage classified
The monument to the dead 1914-1918 in its entirety, located in 73rd Place, on Parcel No. 605, appearing in the BE cadastre: inscription by order of 9 August 2018.
Key figures
Edgar Boutry - Architect
Designer of the monument.
Jacques Alleman - Marbling
Head of marble works.
Alexandre Ponnelle - Mayor of Bethune
Present at the inauguration.
Stern - Prefect of the High Pyrénées
Guest of honor in 1928.
Origin and history
The Bethune Memorial to the Dead was designed under the direction of architect Edgar Boutry and marbrier Jacques Alleman. The project, adopted on 12 July 1927, provided for its construction at the corner of Louis Blanc and Gambetta streets, at an estimated cost of 100,000 francs. This choice of location, which was considered unprestigious by some inhabitants, has provoked protests. The municipality justified this choice by budgetary constraints and the desire to avoid a too imposing framework for the monument.
The monument was inaugurated on 11 November 1928 in the presence of Mayor Alexandre Ponnelle and the Prefect of the Hautes-Pyrénées Stern. Despite initial controversies, it has become an important commemorative symbol for the city. Since August 9, 2018, it has been listed as historic monuments, recognizing its heritage and memorial value.
Located on 73rd Place, the monument is now fully protected, including the cadastral plot BE n°605. It belongs to the municipality of Bethune and remains a place of recollection and memory for the inhabitants. Its inscription in 2018 underlines its importance in the French memorial heritage, especially for monuments dedicated to the First World War.
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