The Monument des Combes commemorates the execution of 27 Resistance fighters by the German army on September 27, 1944, a few minutes’ walk from the center of La Bresse. The site brings together 27 granite steles donated by local granite workers, arranged to follow the shape of the terrain, facing the Brabant massif. Below: the monument’s history, practical details for getting there, and other memorial sites in the Hautes-Vosges worth adding to the trip.
What the monument commemorates
On September 27, 1944, 27 Resistance fighters were executed by German troops at Les Combes, in the hills above La Bresse. To honor their memory, the town’s granite workers, whose trade long shaped the local economy, donated 27 granite steles. Each stele represents one of the Resistance members who fell that day. Their layout follows the natural shape of the land rather than a classic geometric arrangement, giving the site a particular austerity.
The setting, green and open toward the Brabant massif, reinforces the site’s solemn character: few structures, the quiet of the surrounding forest, and open views are enough to set a reflective mood. There is no visitor center or staged displays: the monument stands in the open air, under the sky.
Getting there and practical information
The Monument des Combes is located on Chemin du Monument, 88250 La Bresse. It’s reachable on foot from the village center in a short walk, with no particular difficulty. A precise route is available via Google Maps on the site listing kept by the Vosges tourist board.
A few useful details:
- Access: free and open, for individuals and groups
- Pets: allowed on site
- Information: La Bresse tourist office, 03 29 25 41 29
No booking is needed. The site works just as well as a brief stop alongside a hike in the area as it does for a dedicated visit for anyone planning a trip focused on local heritage and history.
La Bresse during the Second World War
The Monument des Combes is part of a town history deeply marked by the conflict. According to the La Bresse town hall, the town was 80% destroyed during the war: 4,000 people were evacuated and displaced, out of a population of 5,000, and 800 buildings were destroyed. It marked the fourth near total destruction of the town in five centuries.
The scale of this destruction explains why memorial sites hold a particular place in the local landscape: they recall a period when the entire valley paid a heavy price, before a full rebuilding driven by residents’ attachment to their town.
Continuing along the memorial paths of the Hautes-Vosges
The Monument des Combes is not an isolated site. It belongs to a wider set of memorial sites spread across the massif, grouped by the La Bresse Hautes-Vosges tourist office under the name chemins de la mémoire (memorial paths). Nearby, the maquis de la Brayotte, in Cornimont, honors with a monument the Resistance fighters who fell in this sector, one of the most active in the Liberation of the valley. Further on, near Ventron and Bussang, the Piquante Pierre site, above 1,000 meters in altitude, served as a refuge for Resistance groups hunted by the occupying forces: the hike leading there crosses a fir forest with views over the Vosges ridgelines.
For anyone planning a trip focused on heritage and local history, these three sites can be combined over two or three days, paired with short walks in the massif. If you’re coming from further away, it helps to plan the route ahead of time: our guide on getting to La Bresse from Paris breaks down travel times and options by mode of transport.
After a moment of reflection, a change of pace often makes sense for families. The accrobranche in La Bresse, in the forest just minutes from the village, offers a lighter activity to follow, for kids and adults alike.
What to know before going
The Monument des Combes can be visited freely, with no set hours or ticket, making it an easy stop to fit into a hiking itinerary or a tour of Bresse heritage. Bring sturdy shoes for the short walk from the village, and respect the reflective character of the place: don’t expect visitor facilities, since the site’s simplicity is its strength.
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Frequently asked questions
Where is the Monument des Combes in La Bresse?
On Chemin du Monument, in La Bresse (88250), a few minutes' walk from the village center. The site is accessible on foot, and directions are available via Google Maps from the Vosges tourist board listing.
What does the Monument des Combes commemorate?
The monument marks the execution of 27 Resistance fighters by the German army on September 27, 1944. Granite workers from La Bresse donated 27 granite steles, arranged according to the terrain, facing the Brabant massif.
Is there an entrance fee, and do you need to book ahead?
No. Access is free and open, for individuals and groups alike, with no booking required. Dogs on a leash are welcome on site.