The American monument

Passport, please! You’re entering American territory. Yes, believe it or not, the plot of land on which this beautiful fountain stands belongs to the United States! Well, to be more precise, it belongs to the American War Memorials Commission. This magnificent monument, adorned with a splendid golden sculpture, commemorates the assistance provided by American soldiers of the Service of Supply (SOS) during World War I. The work, whose cost and maintenance were entirely covered by the United States, was erected in the 1930s. The fountain was designed by the sculptor Henri Varenne, who decided to stack 4 architectural elements, reaching a height of 7 meters. The dedication of the basin reads as follows: “erected by the United States of America, in recognition of the work accomplished by the services of the American Expeditionary Forces.” In the center of the water, on the 8-sided pillar, you’ll find the coats of arms of the 8 cities that served as bases for the SOS, with Tours being the headquarters. Above the basin is a pillar with 4 flat faces on which appear female allegories representing the 4 main tasks accomplished by the soldiers: construction, administration, distribution, and supply. The bronze statue that overlooks everything, covered in gold leaf, was created by the New York sculptor C.P. Jennewein. It depicts a Native American man, with an eagle ready to take flight on his left arm. The symbolism behind the choice to represent a Native American rather than a soldier has not been explicitly stated. Perhaps it’s to honor the participation of Native Americans who fought alongside them in some conflicts. Or maybe it’s more of an allegory to freedom, suggesting a parallel between the defiance of the French against the German invasion and that of indigenous peoples against colonizers centuries earlier. A touch of mystery shining brightly, adding to this war memorial filled with symbols and history.