At the Pointe Saint-Mathieu, next to the abbey, lighthouse, chapel and French navy observation tower, you will see a tall monument and a low building. This area is a “Memorial for the Sailors who died for France”, and it’s quite impressive.
The “Memorial national des marins morts pour la France” was built in 1927, just after WWI, but involves all wars that France has been in after WWI.
The top of the monument represents a Breton woman in mourning, dressed in the typical mourning clothes.
On the sides, you will see
The monument also has the main harbours in Brittany listed (like Brest, Cherbourg, Lorient).
The monument is located next to the main structure:
Outside the monument and building, there are a few ship cannons and a walk path:
The building itself was inaugurated in 2005:
The Cenotaph building
The building next to the monument is a cenotaph, a “tomblike monument to someone buried elsewhere”. It’s sobre and well done:
Immediately on your right when you enter the building, you will see this stairway:
Climbing those (narrow) stairs will bring you to the observation roof:
Roof wall on top of the ‘Memorial aux Marins Morts pour la France’ (Memorial for the sailors who died for France) Cenotaph building at Pointe Saint-Mathieu, Brittany
Entrance to the roof on top of the ‘Memorial aux Marins Morts pour la France’ (Memorial for the sailors who died for France) Cenotaph building at Pointe Saint-Mathieu, BrittanyOn the wall of the roof, you will see many other mentions of ships and sailors lost during the war.
Inside the building, you will see several rooms with many photos and objects of the deceased sailors:
All over the building you will hear a recording sound of the names of the sailors and ships lost to the sea.
There are 1700 photos of sailors who have died for France displayed in the building.
Conclusion
It’s a sobering visit, but well done. The entrance is free to all. Outside there is a photographic/memorial path you can take to see more information about the sailors lost during the different wars.
Click here to access the Memorial’s website (in French only)
Related Posts
- 10000
A lighthouse, a church, ruins of an abbey, a French Navy Observation post and a WWII Memorial museum at Pointe Saint-Mathieu in Brittany. Quite a place to visit. - 10000
The Museum of the 39-45 Memories in Pointe Saint-Mathieu, Brittany is housed in a big WWII bunker. The museum is well designed and easy to see items. It's well explained and whole families will love it. - 10000
How to get to Pointe Saint-Mathieu in Brittany, what to do and see, where to stay. - 10000
The initial construction of the Brest Fortress/Castle started in the 3rd century.It is still one of the biggest fortresses in France, it's still used by the French Navy and it's the National Navy Museum... it's definitely worth a visit.