L'Anneau de la mémoire
L'Anneau de la Mémoire is a large ring-shaped memorial on a hillside with about 345 meters of circumference, inscribed with over 579,000 names of soldiers who died in the First World War. The names are arranged alphabetically on golden panels and visible to all who pass through.
The memorial opened in 2014 on the centenary of the war's start and contains names sourced from French, British, and German archives. It brings together soldiers from all participating nations, including colonial forces and the Foreign Legion.
The name refers to the ring shape, designed to evoke people joining hands in unity and remembrance. The memorial treats all names equally without distinction of nationality, rank, gender, or religion, reflecting a shared human loss across borders.
The memorial is accessible during the day and into the evening with free entry. Opening hours vary with the seasons, and parking is available nearby on Chemin du Mont de Lorette.
The structure appears to float lightly over the hillside, conveying a sense of peace's fragility. A custom typeface called "Le Lorette" was designed specifically to display all names in a readable and respectful way.
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