Monument to Georges Mandel
The Monument to Georges Mandel in Fontainebleau Forest is a memorial dedicated to Georges Mandel, a French politician and resistance leader during World War II. This monument stands at the location where Mandel was tragically killed on July 7, 1944, during the Nazi occupation of France.
Why Georges Mandel Is Remembered
Georges Mandel, born in 1885, was an important figure in French politics and journalism. He was a close associate of Georges Clemenceau and a staunch opponent of Nazi Germany. Mandel’s outspoken resistance to authoritarian regimes made him a prominent target for the Nazis. During World War II, he was arrested and later handed over to French collaborators, ultimately meeting his end in the Fontainebleau Forest.
Mandel’s assassination was carried out by a member of the French Militia. The killing was reportedly a reprisal for the death of Philippe Henriot, a propaganda minister for the Vichy regime, who had been killed by the French Resistance. However, some historians suggest that Mandel’s death may have been directly ordered by Nazi leaders due to his strong opposition to their ideology.
The Creation of the Monument
In September 1945, after the liberation of France, a committee was established to create a memorial honoring Mandel at the exact site of his assassination. The mayor of Fontainebleau at the time, Hubert Pajot, led the initiative. The monument was designed by architect Charles Nicod and sculptor François Cogné, whose bronze medallion of Mandel’s profile is also featured on the monument.
This memorial serves as a reminder of Mandel’s contributions to French politics and his ultimate sacrifice for his country during one of its darkest periods.
Visiting the Monument
The monument is located along the D607 road, south of Fontainebleau and on the edge of the forest. Parking along the main road can be dangerous but visitors will find better luck on the corner of the D607 and the D63E2 which leads to Recloses. From there the monument is roughly 200 meters away.
Further away, but at the same time an official carpark, lies the Parking Rocher des Demoiselles.