The "Memorial aux Marins Morts pour la France" (Memorial for the sailors who died for France) at Pointe Saint-Mathieu, Brittany

Pointe Saint-Mathieu – Memorial aux Marins Morts pour la France

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.

Top of the Memorial at Pointe Saint-Mathieu, Brittany
Top of the Memorial at Pointe Saint-Mathieu, Brittany

The top of the monument represents a Breton woman in mourning, dressed in the typical mourning clothes.

On the sides, you will see

The Memorial at Pointe Saint-Mathieu, Brittany
The Memorial at Pointe Saint-Mathieu, Brittany

The monument also has the main harbours in Brittany listed (like Brest, Cherbourg, Lorient).

The monument is located next to the main structure:

The "Memorial aux Marins Morts pour la France" (Memorial for the sailors who died for France) monument and building at Pointe Saint-Mathieu, Brittany
The “Memorial aux Marins Morts pour la France” (Memorial for the sailors who died for France) monument and building at Pointe Saint-Mathieu, Brittany

Outside the monument and building, there are a few ship cannons and a walk path:

Cannons overlooking the sea at the "Memorial aux Marins Morts pour la France" (Memorial for the sailors who died for France) at Pointe Saint-Mathieu, Brittany
Cannons overlooking the sea at the “Memorial aux Marins Morts pour la France” (Memorial for the sailors who died for France) at Pointe Saint-Mathieu, Brittany

The building itself was inaugurated in 2005:

The "Memorial aux Marins Morts pour la France" (Memorial for the sailors who died for France) building at Pointe Saint-Mathieu, Brittany
The “Memorial aux Marins Morts pour la France” (Memorial for the sailors who died for France) building at Pointe Saint-Mathieu, Brittany

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:

Inside the "Memorial aux Marins Morts pour la France" (Memorial for the sailors who died for France) Cenotaph building at Pointe Saint-Mathieu, Brittany
Inside the “Memorial aux Marins Morts pour la France” (Memorial for the sailors who died for France) Cenotaph building at Pointe Saint-Mathieu, Brittany

Immediately on your right when you enter the building, you will see this stairway:

Stairs inside the "Memorial aux Marins Morts pour la France" (Memorial for the sailors who died for France) Cenotaph building at Pointe Saint-Mathieu, Brittany
Stairs inside the “Memorial aux Marins Morts pour la France” (Memorial for the sailors who died for France) Cenotaph building at Pointe Saint-Mathieu, Brittany

Climbing those (narrow) stairs will bring you to the observation roof:

Photo 1Photo 2
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, BrittanyRoof 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, BrittanyEntrance 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, Brittany

On 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:

Flowers inside the "Memorial aux Marins Morts pour la France" (Memorial for the sailors who died for France) Cenotaph building at Pointe Saint-Mathieu, Brittany
Flowers inside the “Memorial aux Marins Morts pour la France” (Memorial for the sailors who died for France) Cenotaph building at Pointe Saint-Mathieu, Brittany

All over the building you will hear a recording sound of the names of the sailors and ships lost to the sea.

Photos of the sailors inside the "Memorial aux Marins Morts pour la France" (Memorial for the sailors who died for France) Cenotaph building at Pointe Saint-Mathieu, Brittany
Photos of the sailors inside the “Memorial aux Marins Morts pour la France” (Memorial for the sailors who died for France) Cenotaph building at Pointe Saint-Mathieu, Brittany

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)

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