Monument aux combattants de la Haute-Garonne

The Monument to the Fighters of Haute-Garonne occupies a prominent place along Allées François-Verdier and rises with eight tall stone columns arranged toward a pediment. Carved reliefs and inscriptions across the structure name major battlefields and honor those from the region.

Finished in 1928, the structure emerged as a response to World War I losses affecting Haute-Garonne. Unlike typical war memorials, it chooses to honor both the dead and survivors of the conflict.

Local artists created the sculptures and reliefs to honor those who died, embedding their names and stories into the stone. The inscriptions record battlefield names that shaped the region's collective memory.

The memorial sits near the Cathedral of Saint Stephen and nearby restaurants, making it easy to include in a walking tour of downtown. Visitors can freely access the space year-round, with formal ceremonies occurring primarily on November 11.

In August 2023, engineers relocated the entire structure about 35 meters (115 feet) to make room for the new François-Verdier metro station. This rare feat demonstrated advanced techniques for preserving historical monuments while adapting to urban development.

Location: Toulouse

Inception: 1928

Architects: Léon Jaussely

Creator: Camille Raynaud, Henri-Raphaël Moncassin, André Abbal

GPS coordinates: 43.60010,1.45205

Latest update: December 8, 2025 21:06