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Origin and history

The national necropolis of Chauconin-Neufmontiers, nicknamed "Grand grave de Villeroy", is an ossuary erected in memory of the 133 French soldiers killed on 5 September 1914 during the Battle of the Marne. These remains were buried on September 7 and 8, 1914, marking a symbolic place of World War I. Among the victims were members of the 276th Infantry Regiment, including Lieutenant Charles Péguy, a literary and military figure, who died in the face of a bullet.

The first monument, built in 1920 at the combat site, was desecrated, leading to the construction of the current ossuary in 1932. A stele dedicated to Charles Péguy was added there in 1936, before being moved in 1992 to Villeroy, the starting point of the attack of the 5th battalion. Every year ceremonies commemorate the deaths of this battle, perpetuating their memory.

Designed by architect Henry Faucher, the monument presents itself as a rectangular stone stele, decorated with mosaics depicting French flags and bearing the names of the 99 soldiers identified. There are also 34 unidentified remains (32 soldiers and 2 sergeants). A slender cross indicates where Charles Péguy fell, with the inscription: "In these fields fell Charles Péguy on September 5, 1914. »

Classified as a Historic Monument in 2018, the necropolis is located on the edge of Route D129, in the commune of Chauconin-Neufmontiers (Seine-et-Marne). It is a place of major memory of the First World War, linked to the Battle of Ourcq and the defence of Paris in 1914.

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