Mémorial des maquis de l'Ain et de la Résistance, War memorial in Val d'Enfer, Cerdon, France
This memorial features a 17-meter-tall statue rising from rock, depicting France breaking free from chains and dominating the Ain Valley landscape. The site includes a military cemetery with 89 graves, making it a complete space for remembrance.
The memorial was established in 1951 to honor about 700 resistance fighters from Ain and Haut-Jura who died during World War II. Its creation came in the years following the regional conflicts that marked the area's wartime experience.
Verses from French poet Louis Aragon are engraved on the monument's western face, connecting the physical structure to literary expression. This inscription links the memorial directly to broader cultural movements of resistance and freedom.
The site is open throughout the year and offers free parking for visitors wanting to explore the memorial grounds. Plan to spend time viewing both the monument and the cemetery at a comfortable pace.
Significant clashes between resistance fighters and enemy forces took place here in July 1944, and the monument stands at this exact location. This geographic placement connects visitors directly to the site where these events unfolded.
Location: Cerdon
GPS coordinates: 46.07126,5.48449
Latest update: December 14, 2025 11:20
Grottes du Cerdon
2.5 km
Cascade de la Fouge
2.1 km
Cuivrerie de Cerdon
2.1 km
Château d'Épierre
1.6 km
Monument des Maquis de l'Ain
19 m
Moulin à farine de Cerdon
1.8 km
Chapelle de Châtillon-de-Cornelle
3.4 km
Maison au lieu-dit la Suisse
1.4 km
Église Saint-Éloi de Mérignat
3.7 km
Église Saint-Jean-Baptiste de Cerdon
1.7 km
Église Saint-Jean-Baptiste de Vieu-d'Izenave
3.6 km
Église Saint-Amand de Labalme
2.2 km
Église Saint-Alban ruinée de Saint-Alban
2.4 km
War memorial of Labalme
2.4 km
Mairie de Saint-Alban
3.5 km
War memorial of Mérignat
3.7 km
Mairie de Mérignat
3.7 km
Town hall of Labalme
2.4 km
War memorial of Poncieux
4.5 km
Town hall of Cerdon
1.8 km
Chapelle Saint-Christophe de Leymiat
4.4 km
Town hall of Vieu-d'Izenave
3.7 km
War memorial of Cerdon
1.9 km
Cemetery cross of Poncieux
4.3 km
Chapelle Notre-Dame de Préau
2.5 km
War memorial of Saint-Alban
3.5 km
Cemetery cross of Mérignat
3.5 km
War memorial of Cemetery of Mérignat
3.5 kmVisited this place? Tap the stars to rate it and share your experience / photos with the community! Try now! You can cancel it anytime.
Discover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes