Senegalese Tata of Chasselay, Military cemetery in Chasselay, France

The Senegalese Tata of Chasselay is a military cemetery in Chasselay, France, enclosed by a red ochre wall with a central gate topped by a triangular shape and a small flag. Inside, the graves are arranged in rows, and the entrance gate is decorated with carved African masks.

The cemetery was built in 1942 by Jean Marchiani to gather the bodies of soldiers killed in June 1940 during the battle for Lyon. It was inaugurated on 8 November 1942, just before the German invasion of the free zone.

The name 'tata' comes from a West African word for a fortified enclosure, and the design reflects West African building styles. Each year, a ceremony is held to honor the soldiers, and the site serves as a place of remembrance for the African troops who fought for France.

The cemetery is located along the D100 road between Les Chères and Chasselay, with parking available nearby. Visitors can walk through the grounds during daylight hours, and the site is accessible to those with reduced mobility via a paved path.

The soil at the site includes earth brought from Dakar, mixed with French soil. The gate features eight carved African masks, each with distinct expressions.