Honneur aux poilus

You are approaching the stele known as Honneur aux Poilus, a site of local remembrance located on the Place du 11 Novembre 1918. Unlike the grand, soaring war memorials found in many French towns, this monument is defined by its intentional simplicity. It was unveiled in 2008 to mark the ninetieth anniversary of the armistice that ended the First World War. The monument consists of a polished, dark granite slab featuring the carved portrait of a soldier wearing the distinctive Adrian helmet used by the French army during the conflict. The inscription Honneur aux Poilus, 1914-1918 serves as a reminder of the term poilu, which began as a familiar nickname for infantrymen before becoming a proud, honorable title for those who survived the trenches. Every November 11th, the community gathers here to lay wreaths at this site, maintaining a tradition that connects the modern city of Issy-les-Moulineaux to the soldiers of the Great War.