Mémorial napoléonien à Marchais-en-Brie, colonne à Montmirail (Marne) et Marchais-en-Brie (Aisne)
The Mémorial napoléonien à Marchais-en-Brie is a stone column in neoclassical style standing on a small hill in the French town of Montmirail. Rising about 18 meters (59 feet) on a five-step base, it is topped by a gold-colored iron eagle holding a globe in its claws.
The memorial was erected in 1866 to commemorate a military victory from February 1814, when napoleonic forces fought against Russian and Prussian troops in the campaign known as the Six-Days. Napoleon III championed the project and participated in its official opening in 1867.
The memorial bears the name of a French military leader and honors those who fought during his era. A poem carved into the base by a noted French writer encourages visitors to remember those who died in the battles of that time.
The monument sits on a small hill from which you can see the surrounding countryside, making the column clearly visible from various angles. It is easy to reach and serves as a convenient stopping point during a walk through the village, where you can pause to read the inscriptions and examine the details.
The gold-colored eagle sculpture at the top was created in Paris and later gifted to the monument, showing a rare collaboration between the capital and a small provincial town. This connection makes the memorial more than just a local remembrance, but a symbol of national recognition from the seat of power.
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