brittany

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.

1940During the Second World War, which French leader appealed to its people to rally in support of the Resistance?

At the French military school of Saint-Cyr Coëtquidan in Brittany, a striking monument commemorates the call to resistance issued by General Charles de Gaulle on 18 June 1940. De Gaulle's BBC-broadcasted speech became a rallying point for the Free French, challenging the armistice announced by Marshal Pétain and inspiring new waves of resistance both inside and outside France. The monument, designed by Pierre-André Dufetel and unveiled in 1995, features a flame-shaped sword and the Lorraine Cross, symbolizing the enduring spirit of defiance ignited by de Gaulle’s words. On the 85th anniversary in 2025, visitors reflect on how a single wartime broadcast reshaped French history and forged a legacy honored by generations of cadets and citizens alike.