Monument Pershing - Lafayette, War memorial at Avenue des États-Unis, Versailles, France
Monument Pershing-Lafayette stands on the heights of Versailles, where two concrete pedestals face each other across Avenue des États-Unis, each carrying an equestrian statue of a general. The memorial was designed by architect Jacques Carlu, whose entry won the competition, and it was inaugurated on 6 October 1937 in the presence of General Pershing. The monument, its esplanade, the surrounding trees and the roadway crossing it have been listed as monuments historiques since 7 March 2007.
Architect Jacques Carlu designed the site in 1937 to honor American contributions to World War I and French support during American independence. The equestrian statues were installed much later, permanently reshaping this section of the avenue.
The two equestrian statues face each other across Avenue des États-Unis: Pershing on one pedestal, Lafayette on the other. Their pairing recalls the alliance of 1778 and the American Expeditionary Forces of 1917–1918. The monument was inaugurated on 6 October 1937 in the presence of General Pershing himself.
The memorial and surrounding esplanade remain accessible throughout the year at no cost. Detailed documentation about the site's history and architecture is available through the Médiathèque du patrimoine for those wanting more information.
The original plaster statue of General Pershing, created by sculptor Joachim Costa, deteriorated rapidly and was removed in 1941. This left the memorial incomplete for decades until permanent replacements were eventually installed.
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