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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The monument to the dead of the Valley, located in Barcelonnette in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, is dedicated to the inhabitants of the Ubaye valley who died for France during the First World War. It takes the form of a wall resting on a podium accessible by steps, decorated with two realistic statues representing a infantryman and an alpine hunter, the main units where the Valéïans served. The ensemble integrates into a triangular square, with in the background the surrounding mountains, creating a solemn and natural setting.

Created in 1922 by sculptor Paul Landowski, the monument was inaugurated on 19 August 1923. Its aim was to bring together the names of all the children in the valley and the district who died during the conflict. The building, of sober yet evocative style, recalls the sacrifice of the local soldiers, while being part of the urban landscape of Barcelonnette. He was listed for historical monuments in 2010, recognizing his heritage and memorial value.

The monument is located on the Place of the 157th Alpine Infantry Regiment, a symbolic place for the community. Its square and podium, designed as a stage wall, reinforce its theatrical and commemorative character. The statues, by their realism, humanize the memory of the disappeared, while the names engraved on the wall perpetuate their collective memory. This monument embodies both the tribute to the dead and the resilience of the Alpine valleys to history.

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