Stele à la memoire du genocide Armenien

The monument you see before you is a khachkar, a traditional Armenian cross-stone distinguished by its intricate, lace-like stonework. It was installed in this garden in nineteen ninety-six, following a chance encounter between the local mayor and a French-Armenian businessman named Roger Tcherpachian. Tcherpachian had originally come across a similar, separate stele at his own place of business, which was intended for a different location in Paris. Impressed by the art form, the mayor expressed such interest that Tcherpachian decided to commission this unique piece specifically for the city of Charenton-le-Pont. The stone now serves as a dedicated site for annual commemorations of the Armenian genocide, acting as a permanent link between the local community and Armenian history.