Column of the Grande Armée

The Column of the Grande Armée is a neoclassical structure located in Wimille on France's northern coast. It has an octagonal shape topped by a statue and contains a museum inside with historical exhibits related to military heritage.

Construction of the monument began in the early 1800s as a sign of military preparation and was funded by soldiers. Over time, changes were made to it, including replacing the statue at the top to reflect different military representations.

The monument reflects military pride through its collection of uniforms, weapons, and soldier belongings displayed inside. These objects help visitors understand how important this place was to people of that era.

The interior can be reached by a spiral staircase with more than 250 steps, which requires physical effort. The climb is rewarded with views of the coastal region and the surrounding plains.

The statue at the top was changed several times and now shows an officer in uniform instead of coronation clothing. These changes reflect different political and cultural priorities that shifted over time.

Location: Wimille

Architects: Éloi Labarre

Official opening: August 15, 1841

Architectural style: Neoclassical architecture

Address: Camp de Boulogne

Opening Hours: October 01-June 14 Friday-Sunday 10:00-12:00, 14:00-16:00; June 15-September 30 Wednesday-Sunday 10:00-12:30, 14:30-18:30; January 01 off; May 01 off; November 01 off; December 25 off; November 08-December 18 off

Website: https://colonne-grande-armee.fr

GPS coordinates: 50.74119,1.61833

Latest update: December 8, 2025 19:41