Nice - War Memorial

• department: Alpes-Maritimes
• municipality: Nice
• appellation: Monument aux morts
• address: quai Rauba Capeu
• authors: Roger SEASSAL (architect), Alfred JANNIOT (sculptor)
• date: 1924-1928
• protection: classification as historical monuments by decree of 24 May 2011
• Label patrimoine XXe: Commission régionale du patrimoine et des sites (CRPS) of 28 November 2000

In 1919, Roger Seassal, Grand Prix de Rome, won the contest for the erection of a monument of remembrance in Nice. However, he had to slightly modify his initial project, by removing the wings he had, before the first stone was laid on November 11, 1924, on the site of an old stone quarry. The inauguration took place on January 28, 1928, in the presence of Marshal Foch.

This imposing monument, which stands out on the hill of the Castle, is composed of a sort of huge central urn, highlighted by a niche carved into the rock, and to which one accesses by five steps, representing the years from 1914 to 1918. On the urn are engraved the names of the main campaigns of the war, while on the wall below were inscribed the names of the 4000 Nice dead for France.
This monument, imbued with austerity and grandeur, is at the same time the witness of a desire for modernity, which can be found in the columns without capitals and the absence of moulding or decoration. The striking plastic effect is reinforced by the sculptures of Alfred Janniot.

• Editor: Eve Roy, drac paca crmh, 2006