Chateau-Thierry Monument

The Château-Thierry Monument is a World War I memorial located in Aisne, France. Overlooking the Marne River valley, the monument was built in 1933 and commemorates the achievements of United States forces that fought in the region in 1918, notably for the Second Battle of the Marne during the wider German Spring Offensive. German advances in late May 1918 led the United States forces 3rd Division to assist the French troops in preventing the Germans from crossing the Marne River, holding the south bank until the counteroffensive forced German withdrawal, earning the nickname “Rock of the Marne“ in the process.
The monument was designed by famed French-American architect Paul Cret, who also planned several war memorials and battlefield monuments across Europe and in the United States. The monument consists of a double colonnade rising above a long terrace, flanked by sculptured figures representing the United States and a map showing American military operations that took place in the region. The English inscription on the sculptures reads "This monument has been erected by the United States of America to commemorate the services of her troops and those of France who fought in this region during the World War. It stands as a lasting symbol of the friendship and cooperation between the French and American Armies." US servicemen who lost their lives in the ferocious Second Battle of the Marne are interred at nearby Aisne-Marne American Cemetery.

Practical Info

Chateau-Thierry Monument is located on a hill two miles west of Chateau-Thierry in the region of Picardie, 87 kilometers (60 miles) outside of Paris. It is reachable in just over an hour via route A4 and D1003. The cemetery is open daily to the public from 9am to 5pm, except December 25 and January 1. It is open on French bank holidays. There is ample on-site parking. Admission is free for everyone.