Monument Barrès

The Monument Barrès is a Lantern of the Dead in Vaudémont standing 22 meters tall and held up by twelve columns that support small colonettes. The structure is crowned with a pyramid-shaped bell tower topped by a cross.

The monument was built after Maurice Barrès died in 1923 through a public subscription campaign started by Marshal Lyautey and Prince Charles-Louis de Beauvau-Craon. The construction reflected a desire to honor the author's connection to the region and preserve his memory.

The inscriptions carved into the stone come from Maurice Barrès's writings and reflect his thoughts on memory, nature, and the identity of his region. They are integrated into the structure itself, showing how deeply these ideas shaped the monument.

A zigzag path built in 2014 leads visitors up to the monument and provides a safe walking route. Once you reach the top, an orientation table helps you understand the views across the Lorraine plateau spread out below.

The location on Sion hill serves as a launch point for paragliding, which adds an active dimension to the place. The structure is built from Euville stone, a local material that gives it a distinctive appearance tied to the region.

Location: Vaudémont

Architects: Achille Duchêne

Official opening: September 23, 1928

GPS coordinates: 48.40861,6.07019

Latest update: December 12, 2025 14:22