"The Armistice came into effect at 11am on 11th November 1918, bringing to an end four terrible years of fighting. The cost to France was immense: 1.4 million dead; 4 million wounded and maimed. Millions left widowed or orphaned. Those returning from the war carried memories of courage, fear and bloodshed. We must remember their bravery and sacrifice, as well as the fallen from other countries around the world, who came to France to defend liberty.

We must also remember those who died for France in other conflicts, including the most recent in Mali. Neither must we forget that today on the 11th November 2022, war has returned to our continent."

Summary of a government-prepared text read by the Mayor of Noyon in Noyon. Full translation here.

Images courtesy of Ville de Noyon