Erection of the monument 1926 (≈ 1926)
Commanded by Bertrand de Lur-Saluces to Henri Charlier.
21 octobre 2014
Historical Monument
Historical Monument 21 octobre 2014 (≈ 2014)
Registration by ministerial decree (cadastre C 418).
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
2e quart XXe siècle
Construction period
Construction period 2e quart XXe siècle (≈ 2037)
Post-First World War context and industrial paternalism.
Heritage classified
The monument to the dead in its entirety (cf. C 418, cf. plan annexed to the Order): entry by order of 21 October 2014
Key figures
Bertrand de Lur-Saluces - Sponsor
Catholic monarchist, initiator of the monument and paternalist village.
Henri Charlier - Sculptor
Author of the lantern of the dead and the statue.
Origin and history
The monument to the dead of 1914-1918 of Uza was erected in 1926 by Bertrand de Lur-Saluces, a convinced monarchist and Catholic, on the edge of the Forges pond (also known as Lake Forge). This monument takes the form of a carved lantern of the dead, crowned by a statue of Saint-Louis, symbol of piety and memory. The work was entrusted to the sculptor Henri Charlier, whose style marks this unique memorial in the Landes.
This monument is part of a paternalist architectural complex built by the family of Lur-Saluces in the 19th century, including forges, schools, worker housing and a festive hall. This context reflects the social ideology of the time, where local industrialists, like Bertrand de Lur-Saluces, played a central role in the organization of community life. The choice of a lantern of the dead — traditionally linked to medieval cemeteries — and Saint-Louis — emblematic Christian king — underscores the religious and memorial dimension of the project.
Ranked Historic Monument by order of 21 October 2014, the monument is fully protected (C 418). Its location, near an artificial lake created for forges, and its artistic style make it a rare testimony of industrial paternalism and the commemoration of the Great War in southwestern France. The accuracy of its location is estimated a priori satisfactory (note 6/10), based on available data.
