Monument aux morts de l'Armée d'Orient et des terres lointaines, War memorial on Corniche Kennedy, Marseille, France
The Monument aux morts de l'Armée d'Orient et des terres lointaines is a war memorial on Corniche Kennedy in Marseille, featuring a large arch, a central bronze figure, and statues of military personnel. The structure displays symbolic wings and oriental motifs including a crescent, star, and palm leaves in its design.
Architect Gaston Castel designed this memorial to honor World War I soldiers, and it was inaugurated on April 24, 1927, by President Gaston Doumergue. The work was created during a period when France was processing its war losses and establishing national monuments of remembrance.
Military campaign names from World War I are carved into the sides of the arch, documenting French military operations. These inscriptions allow visitors to understand the scope and variety of operations in which soldiers took part.
The memorial is located on Corniche Kennedy in Marseille's 7th district and is easily accessible from the seafront side. Following a complete restoration in 2020 with improved lighting and structural reinforcements, the monument is in good condition for visitor exploration.
A monumental staircase descends from this memorial toward the Mediterranean Sea, creating a strong spatial connection between war remembrance and the natural landscape. This arrangement gives the site a rare architectural quality that extends beyond the usual function of a monument.
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