Veilleur de pierre, War memorial in Place Bellecour, Lyon, France.
The Veilleur de pierre is a stone sculpture located at the intersection of Rue Gasparin and Place Bellecour, depicting a young man holding a shield. The figure stands upright in a classical style, positioned to watch over the square below.
The memorial honors five resistance fighters who were executed by German forces on July 27, 1944, at this exact location. This execution was one of many acts of repression that took place in Lyon during the occupation.
The names of French internment camps and German death camps are carved into the stone, making the suffering of that era visible to everyone who passes by. These inscriptions connect visitors directly to the human stories behind the war.
The memorial is located directly on Place Bellecour and can be reached easily from surrounding streets. It is accessible year-round and free to visit since it stands in a public square.
Every July 27, a ceremony takes place at the memorial to honor the resistance fighters who died there. This annual gathering keeps their memory alive and shows how the city continues to mark this important date.
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