Verdun in Meuse, Alsace, Lorraine, Champagne-Ardenne, France — Western Europe

Unknown French Soldiers

Photographed by Steve Stoessel, November 18, 2024

1. Unknown French Soldiers Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Ici reposent les sept soldats français inconnus venus de tout le front de bataille
Le novembre 1920 huit soldats français inconnus exhumes dans tous les secteurs du front en des endroits gardes secrets furent réunis à la citadelle de Verdun pour une glorieuse veillée funèbre. Le 10 novembre en présence de M. Maginot ministre des pensions, l'un deux fut désigné par le sort pour recevoir à Paris sous l'Arc de Triomphe de l’Etoile les honneurs suprêmes. Les sept autres confient à la ville de Verdun montent ici, au pied du drapeau leur dernière garde se dressant en rempart devant la cité inviolée et faisant leur la devise du soldat de Verdun « on ne passe pas »
Passant salue bien bas
Ici repose peut-être ton père, ton fils, ton frère, ton ami mort quelque part pour la France au cours de la Grande Guerre
Le Souvenir français

Here lie the seven unknown French soldiers from all over the battle front
On November 1920, eight unknown French soldiers exhumed from all sectors of the front in secret locations were gathered at the citadel of Verdun for a glorious wake. On November 10, in the presence of Mr. Maginot, Minister

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of Pensions, one of them was chosen by lot to receive the highest honors in Paris under the Arc de Triomphe de l’Etoile. The other seven entrust the city of Verdun with their last guard here, at the foot of the flag, standing as a rampart in front of the inviolate city and making their own the motto of the soldier of Verdun "They do not pass."
Passersby salute
Here perhaps lies your father, your son, your brother, your friend who died somewhere for France during the Great War
The Remembrance of the French

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • War, World I. A significant historical year for this entry is 1920.

Location. 49° 9.943′ N, 5° 24.3′ E. Marker is in Verdun, Grand Est (Alsace, Lorraine, Champagne-Ardenne), in Meuse. It can be reached from Avenue du 30E Corps (Grand Est Route 609) north of Rue de Fleury ( Route 112). Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Verdun, Grand Est 55100, France. Touch for directions.

Regionally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

Europe,

the European Union,

Atlantic Europe,

the Schengen Area,

Western Europe,

a coastal Mediterranean

Photographed by Steve Stoessel, November 18, 2024

2. Unknown French Soldiers Marker

country,

and the Western World.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once a French colony,

the Roman Empire,

and specifically the Holy Roman Empire.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Les soldats inconnus de la nécropole nationale du Faubourg-Pavé (a few steps from this marker); La nécropole nationale de Verdun Faubourg-Pavé (within shouting distance of this marker); Verdun War Memorial (approx. 1.3 kilometers away); Le 166eme Régiment d'Infanterie (approx. 1.3 kilometers away); « Honneur et Reconnaissance aux Femmes des Territoires » (approx. 1.4 kilometers away); The Defense (approx. 1.4 kilometers away); Porte Saint-Paul (approx. 1.5 kilometers away); Verdun (approx. 1.5 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Verdun.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 15, 2025. It was originally submitted on February 14, 2025, by Steve Stoessel of Niskayuna, New York. This page has been viewed 100 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on February 14, 2025, by Steve Stoessel of Niskayuna, New York. 2. submitted on February 15, 2025, by Steve Stoessel of Niskayuna, New York.