War Memorial

The war memorial of Fort-de-France

The Fort-de-France audio-guided tour leads you before the war memorial of La Savane park, raised in tribute to the Martinican soldiers who fell during the First World War.

A tribute and a duty of memory

Raised in 1926, the monument is the work of the architect Pierre-Henri Picq and the sculptor Louis-Ernest Barrias. It represents an allegorical figure of the French Republic carrying a flame at arm's length, a symbol of perpetual remembrance and of the respect due to those who lost their lives in combat. The monument also invites one to remember a painful history: many Martinicans were enrolled by force, suffered discrimination at the front, and did not benefit, on their return, from the same recognition as the veterans of the mainland. Their sacrifices having long been minimised, the tribute paid here takes on a particular significance, mixing contemplation and memory.

What there is to see

The monument stands with sobriety in La Savane park, its allegorical figure and its flame recalling the sacrifice of the Martinican soldiers. A place of memory and contemplation, it invites reflection on the history of the island and the place of its children in the great conflicts. It is a stage imbued with gravity in the heart of the walk.

Practical information

The war memorial is in La Savane park, in the very centre of Fort-de-France. It can be discovered freely at all hours and on the level, with respect for its commemorative function.

When was the war memorial raised?

In 1926, to honour the Martinican soldiers who fell during the First World War.

What does the statue of the monument represent?

An allegorical figure of the French Republic carrying a flame, a symbol of remembrance and respect towards the fallen combatants.