The Marne Monument.

A detour on the way home took us to the little village of Mondemont.
Just picked out at random, as we were early for our overnight stop.
Saw a small dot on the map that said "monument".
After driving for what seemed ages suddenly came upon this HUGE monument, not what we were expecting at all, but awesome! ( look large, and see the two tiny figures walking up to the monument)

The 35.5 m high sculpture stands on the top of the hill overlooking the first world war battle fields of the Marne.
The monument sculptured by Henri Bouchard is of pink concrete, and with it's metal base and deep foundations weighed 2000 tons.
It's size evokes both power and defiance as the designer intended.

It is a memorial to the 1st Battle of the Marne.
Known as the " Miracle of the Marne". 5 - 12 September 1914.
This battle ended the month long German offensive that had opened the war.
The counter attack along the river forced the German Imperial Army to abandon its push on Paris. They retreated northeast to the Ainse, setting the stage for 4 years of trench warfare on the Western Front.

Bas-reliefs at the base depict all the main generals involved in the battle, with Joffre in the centre his arm round a French soldier.
At the top of the monument a Celtic harp faces east, and a winged Statue of Victory flies from east to west, through thunder, lightening, and battle trumpets with the words resounding:

The Victory of The Marne.

The monument was completed in 1938, and the inauguration was going to be on the 19th September 1039.
However the out break of the 2nd world war meant this was delayed until September 1951.

There is a very small museum nearby, run by the villagers, which I found very moving.

We were so glad we did this detour, and if you are in the area go and see for your self, and as you look down over the valley try and imagine what it would have been like in September 1914.

further details see here