2019What is the first monument erected in honour of French soldiers who died while serving in external operations?
The city of Theix-Noyalo in Morbihan, Brittany, is home to the first monument in France dedicated to French soldiers who died during external operations (OPEX) since 1963. This landmark, inaugurated on 9 March 2019, offers a moving tribute to nearly 700 fallen service members by featuring a black marble stele inscribed "AUX SOLDATS FRANÇAIS MORTS POUR LA FRANCE EN OPÉRATIONS EXTÉRIEURES" beneath a stylized planisphere. Uniquely, the monument was financed solely by the Association nationale des Titulaires du Titre de Reconnaissance de la Nation (ANT-TRN) at a cost of €23,000 and stands near the town's memorials for the world wars. Its unveiling predates the national monument in Paris, making Theix-Noyalo the first city in France to honor OPEX soldiers with a dedicated monument on municipal grounds.
