Monument to the Marchand Expedition, Bronze and stone monument in Bois de Vincennes, France
The Monument to the Marchand Expedition is a stone wall standing 10 meters tall, decorated with high-relief bronze sculptures. These carvings show French soldiers and Senegalese Tirailleurs dressed in their period uniforms.
The monument was built in 1934 to honor the Congo-Nile expedition led by Commander Jean-Baptiste Marchand from 1898 to 1899. This journey took French forces across African territories and was significant to France's colonial ambitions at that time.
The inscription of expedition members' names on bronze plaques shows how this journey was valued as a national achievement. Visitors can read these names and connect specific people and places to the historical undertaking.
The monument sits along Avenue Daumesnil at the edge of Bois de Vincennes and is reachable by several public transportation lines. Visit during daylight hours to see the sculptural details clearly on the stone wall.
The sculptural arrangement draws from Trajan's Column, with twelve figures positioned in parallel composition. This artistic choice merges Roman design elements with the depiction of a modern military expedition.
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