Montpellier war memorial

Montpellier's war memorial is a monument on Esplanade Charles de Gaulle featuring a colonnade of Corinthian columns with an engraved list of battles on its base. The structure consists of a ring of columns framing a central area, with a pediment that bears the names of major battlefields.

The memorial was designed following a decision on November 18, 1918, and inaugurated in 1923. Architect Jacques-Léon Février created this commemorative structure in response to World War I.

The underground passage displays engraved names of over 2,200 residents who died in twentieth-century conflicts. Visitors walk through this quiet space and encounter the personal names that reflect the human cost of these wars.

The memorial sits in a central location on the Esplanade near the Corum convention center and is accessible year-round. Visitors can descend to the underground passage at any time to view the engraved names.

The memorial originally stood in the center of the Esplanade but was relocated to its current southeast position in 1993. This move changed how visitors perceive and experience the work.

Location: Montpellier

Inception: 1923

Architects: Jacques-Léon Février

Creator: Jacques-Léon Février

GPS coordinates: 43.61044,3.88282

Latest update: December 9, 2025 20:26