French Military Cemetery

Machelen Frans militair kerkhof Jasmijn DecuyperIn the ‘Dorpstraat’ in Zulte/Machelen you will find a french military cemetery site from World War I. The defence of Machelen only cost the lives to 600 french soldiers. Because of the many french casualties in the surrounding villages as well, it was decided tot gather them in the same place to bury them. Here 700 soldiers got their final resting-place. Noticeable are the washing moons for the fallen muslim soldiers from the french colonies.

The memorial wall should’ve been placed there around 1930, with sculptures of the french sculptor Marguerite de Bayser-Gratry. At the entrance you’ll find a white concrete box with a register. On every first Sunday of September, a memorial ceremony is held.