From War to Eternity: Bellegarde’s Unusual Memorial - A Forgotten Tribute

In Bellegarde-sur-Valserine, a town steeped in history, stands a memorial - the Monument aux Morts of Bellegarde-sur-Valserine. This monument, a 'hidden gem', honors the lives lost in World War I. The statue of a soldier in combat and the spectral figure of Victory are the emblematic symbols of the lives lost during the war. The names of the fallen soldiers from the local commune of Bellegarde are inscribed on three main faces, while the names of those from the neighboring, long-vanished community of Coupy are etched onto the back. Despite Coupy being incorporated by Bellegarde-sur-Valserine in 1973, the soldiers of Coupy's names were not included on the monument, their memory seemingly forgotten. The Monument aux Morts of Bellegarde-sur-Valserine is a poignant testament to the town's rich heritage, its story etched in stone, yet still resonating today.

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