Fismes will pay tribute to the 13,000 American soldiers who died on our territory. the Municipal Council have decided to honor this centenary
CREATION OF A
MEMORIAL SITE
In 2018 Fismes will pay tribute to the
13,000 American soldiers who died on our
territory in 1918.
The Mayor and the Municipal Council
have decided to honor this centenary
in an appropriate manner by creating a
memorial site located at the square by the
Vesle river.
THE WRITERS’ CIRCUIT
American soldiers have become famous writers in telling the battle of Fismes ... Nine
panels are installed near the Memorial Bridge in Fismette and along the Vesle. This tour
was inaugurated on September 16, 2017.
LAYOUT OF THE MEMORIAL SITE
● The sculptures and historical markers do not alone constitute the memorial site. The
entire handling of the site will become the memorial and perpetuate the continued
memory of events.
● Walls behind the statues will recall the confined house-to-house fighting by American
soldiers as they progressed from basement to basement to avoid streets under
constant enemy fire.
● The proposed layout will create a dramatic impression which will reduce the impact of
parking facilities retained at the center of the site.
● The project will rely for its impact on a single driving idea and avoid small, ineffective
gestures.
● The project will be centered on the area around the river Vesle and invite discovery of
the 1926 Memorial Bridge.
● The shores of the Vesle river and the historical markers will be accessible to people
with disabilities.
A WORK OF ART FOR
A CENTENARY
The town of Fismes wishes to propose the
creation of a monumental work of art for
this projected memorial site.
The intent is to give rise to an original
artistic undertaking.
The internationally famous sculptor,
Christian Lapie, has undertaken the
creation of this project.
Ties of friendship between Fismes, the town
of Meadville, and the state of Pennsylvania
have lasted for a century. Fismes will host
an official delegation from Meadville in
September, 2018.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT :
Mairie de Fismes, Place de l’Hôtel de Ville, 51170 FISMES
03 26 48 05 50
contact@fismes.fr
www.fismes.fr
