American War Memorial

Whether you’re sitting, walking, running, cycling, or even swimming, the Saint-Nazaire seafront offers countless ways to relax and take in the ocean views. That same ocean, just over a century ago, brought thousands of American troops to French shores to join the fight against Germany. Because yes—before the devastation of World War II and the infamous Atlantic Wall, there was another brutal conflict: the First World War. But do we really need to spell that out? After three long years of bloodshed, defeat, and heavy losses for the Allies, the United States finally stepped in, declaring war on Germany on April 6, 1917. Once that decision was made, the next big question was: where to land? With the British already occupying ports along the English Channel, the Atlantic coast quickly became the obvious choice. Four western ports were selected—Bordeaux, Brest, Nantes, and Saint-Nazaire. Of those, Saint-Nazaire was chosen as Base No. 1 for the American landing operations.Between 1917 and 1919, nearly 200,000 troops, 858 ships, and an average of 4,400 tons of goods per day arrived right here. But the city wasn’t exactly ready for an operation of that scale. American soldiers had to roll up their sleeves and get to work, transforming the port and laying the groundwork for a more modern, better-equipped Saint-Nazaire. For two years, in the face of danger and uncertainty, the people of Saint-Nazaire and their unexpected American guests shared their lives, their cultures—and eventually, a deep bond of solidarity. A monument now stands overlooking the seafront to honor that connection. Just as France gifted the Statue of Liberty to the United States in 1886, one former American soldier wanted to return the gesture by offering something to the city that had hosted him for 15 months. Between 1924 and 1926, American sculptor Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney created a powerful commemorative statue, which was unveiled on June 26, 1926, on the rocky outcrop known as “Soulevain.” Sadly, during World War II, German forces—resentful of the monument’s symbolism—destroyed it. But in 1989, thanks to a joint French-American fundraising campaign, the statue was reborn as an exact replica. Locals affectionately call it “the Sammy,” echoing the old wartime nickname for American soldiers. The monument features two striking elements: an eagle with wings spread wide, symbolizing the protective presence of the arriving troops, and a man, arms open and sword in hand, offering his strength and solidarity to the French people. In Saint-Nazaire, reminders of wartime history surface everywhere—even from the depths of the estuary.