Paths of Remembrance in Vitry-le-François

Park at Place Royer Collard.

(S/E) Leave the square via its north-west corner and head for the Place d’Armes in Vitry-le-François. Make your way to the foot of the statue of the Goddess of the Marne, commonly known as ‘the Goddess’.

With your back to the statue, head towards the Caisse d’Épargne, then take Rue Aristide Briand opposite for 40 metres. Turn right into Rue du Mouton, where the Synagogue monument is located on the left, 100 metres further on, near the house at number 9.

(1) Turn left into Rue du Petit Denier, then continue straight on along Rue Jules Guesde. When you reach Place Maucourt, cross it diagonally to the right to reach the Souvenir Français monument. Then continue left along Boulevard du Colonel Dominé, then turn right into Rue de la Fauvarge and follow it to the end to arrive in front of the military cemetery where the National Necropolis is situated.

(2) Walk alongside the cemetery, turning left for 200 metres, then turn left onto Avenue de Toulouse. At the end, turn right onto Boulevard François 1er and continue to the roundabout approximately 400 metres away. Head left to see the newly installed bust of François 1er, the city’s founder.

(3) Return to the roundabout, where you’ll see the war memorial, then continue straight on along Avenue de la République and follow this avenue to the SNCF railway station. A monument in honour of the deportees has been erected opposite the station and, right next to it, a memorial stone in honour of the martyrs of the Resistance.

(4) Cut across the car park behind the monument and head left onto Rue Nouvelle. At the traffic lights, turn right onto Avenue du Colonel Moll, then take the first street on the right, Rue Ferdinand Buisson
and, at the end of this street, cross at the pedestrian crossing and turn left onto Avenue de la République until you reach the roundabout. Then turn right onto Avenue Jean Jaurès and continue to the canal.

(5) Turn left onto Quai de la Faïencerie along the cycle path, go under the road via Chemin des Bateliers, then turn left onto Rue de la Citadelle. At the end of the street, turn right onto Rue du Vieux Port. As you pass, you’ll see the Gauloise war memorial, near the car park next to the sports hall.

(6) Turn left onto Quai du Canal, then turn left again onto Rue de la Glacière. Continue straight on until you reach the Town Hall, which is on your left: you can take a stroll through the park, where there is a monument in honour of Sadi Carnot, and rest on one of the benches provided.

Opposite the Town Hall, take Rue Dominé de Verzet, then turn left onto Rue de la Petite Sainte to reach Place Royer Collard and the car park (S/E).

Sturdy shoes.
A bottle of water.

On the Place d’Armes, admire the statue of the Goddess, which faces the Marne, and the Collegiate Church of Notre-Dame-de-l’Assomption.

Take in the various plaques and monuments dotted along the route, as well as the Necropolis, and admire the Town Hall.

Enjoy the gardens of the Town Hall (17th century), which feature several species of trees and flowers, as well as the remains of the former Récollets Convent; a monument has also been erected in honour of Sadi Carnot, who, in 1891, stopped in Vitry-le-François after conducting a military review in Matignicourt. During his visit to the town, he received a triumphant welcome.

During the war, the station served as an ‘evacuation hospital’.