George Brassens Square in 1890

Historic entrance from St-Nicolas-de-Port towards the Varangéville mine, George Brassens square takes its name from the singer committed to peace.

However, it was not always this way. Before 1921, it had no official name. It was the construction of the war memorial that saw the area named “Place de la République” in 1921. The monument was inaugurated on October 15, 1922 after a subscription from the residents, to which was added a municipal contribution of 3,000 francs. Originally, there were only the names of soldiers who died during the First World War on a plaque attached to the monument. On July 14, 1947, the names of the victims of the Second World War were added, during a ceremony in the presence of Armand Thirion, mayor at the time. The square's war memorial will be complemented by another in the municipal cemetery, built in 1924.

Proud, the furry man of the monument imposes his gaze on those who enter the city as a witness to the past. To the soldiers and civilians who died for France, the town of Varangéville will be eternally grateful.