Overview
- At the Hôtel des Invalides, Emmanuel Macron unveiled a memorial plaque honoring roughly 130,000 men from Alsace and Moselle who were forced into German service after the 1940 annexation.
- The Élysée said the tribute reflects the president’s intent to recognize the tragedy of the "Malgré-Nous" and ensure it is taught nationwide.
- About 40,000 of those conscripts never returned, including an estimated 30,000 killed in combat or captivity and 10,000–12,000 missing.
- Six surviving "Malgré-Nous" attended the ceremony, which also brought together Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu, Armed Forces Minister Catherine Vautrin and senior parliamentary leaders.
- Macron completed the traditional 11 November commemorations by laying wreaths on the Champs-Élysées, reviewing troops and paying respects at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier under the Arc de Triomphe.