Lille - War Memorial

The Lille War Memorial is located in the Place Rihour near the Grand Place. It was unveiled in 1927 to remember the losses and sacrifices during the First World War. It would also become a memorial for World War Two and later conflicts.

 

The monument is the focus of the citizens of Lille, civic leaders and representatives of regional government on  11 November (anniversary of the Armistice of 1918) and 8 May (anniversary of Victory in Europe Day in 1945).



Lille War Memorial
Place Rihour

Lille War Memorial

The memorial inscription reads:

« Aux Lillois, soldats et civils, la cité a élevé ce monument afin de rappeler au cours des siècles l’héroïsme et les souffrances de ses enfants morts pour la Paix ».


"To the people of Lille, soldiers and civilians, the city has erected this monument to remember the centuries of heroism and suffering of her children who died for Peace".

Lille War Memorial
Inscription

The sculptured figures on the memorial are 'La Paix', 'La Relève' and 'Les Captifs'; The Peace, The Relief, and The Prisoners. 

Lille War Memorial
Sculptures

'The Peace' commemorates the end of the First World War and the sacrifices of the Soldiers and Civilians of Lille. 'The Relief' celebrates the liberation of Lille in 1918 after four years of German occupation. It features British soldiers of the Fifth Army. 'The Prisoners' remembers that during the four years of occupation in WW1 civilians were deported to Germany for forced labour or as hostages.

In front of the memorial are a number of inscribed paving stones which remembers the French conflicts in Indo-China and North Africa.