Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All the United Kingdom Scotland Greenock Free French Memorial Cross
AO Edited

Free French Memorial Cross

A war memorial dedicated to the Free French Naval forces of World War II.

Greenock, Scotland

Added By
Graham Walker
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
CAPTION
Free French Memorial with views across Greenock and Inverclyde Royal Hospital.   grahamstewartwalker / Atlas Obscura User
Free French Memorial with English inscription.   grahamstewartwalker / Atlas Obscura User
Free French Memorial with the Clyde and hills in the background.   grahamstewartwalker / Atlas Obscura User
  ssm67alba / Atlas Obscura User
  ssm67alba / Atlas Obscura User
Outstanding views from the memorial   ssm67alba / Atlas Obscura User
English inscription (French inscription is on other side).   grahamstewartwalker / Atlas Obscura User
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

The Free French Memorial monument sits less than 100 meters from the summit of Lyle Hill in Greenock with a viewpoint accessible by car. 

During World War II, France was under Nazi occupation. However, several French troops were evacuated from the country and wanted to still contribute to the war effort. These troops were known as the Free French Forces and continued to fight against the Axis powers after the fall of France. During the war, there was a large Free French Naval Forces base located at Greenock.

To commemorate their effort and loss of life, this memorial was unveiled in 1946. The memorial is in the shape of the Cross of Lorraine with an anchor at the bottom. 

The viewpoint at Lyle Hill also boasts a magnificent view across Scotland. Visitors can also see right across Greenock and Gourock, as well as across the river Clyde to Helensburgh, Kilcreggan, and Dunoon. 

Related Tags

Monuments Memorials World War Ii War History Military

Know Before You Go

There is ample parking between the Free French Memorial and Lyle Hill summit.

Atlas Obscura Adventures

Flavors of Scotland: Beyond the Haggis

Smoked seafood, single malt whisky, and warm hospitality.

Book Now

Community Contributors

Added By

grahamstewartwalker

Edited By

ssm67alba

  • ssm67alba

Published

March 3, 2021

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Free French Memorial Cross
154 Lyle Rd
Greenock, Scotland, PA16 7QT
United Kingdom
55.954192, -4.795357
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Granny Kempock Standing Stone

Gourock, Scotland

miles away

Tut-Tut Rock

Kilcreggan, Scotland

miles away

Shipbuilders of Port Glasgow

Port Glasgow, Scotland

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Scotland

Scotland

United Kingdom

Places 739
Stories 49

Nearby Places

Granny Kempock Standing Stone

Gourock, Scotland

miles away

Tut-Tut Rock

Kilcreggan, Scotland

miles away

Shipbuilders of Port Glasgow

Port Glasgow, Scotland

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Scotland

Scotland

United Kingdom

Places 739
Stories 49

Related Places

  • The bust of Violette Szabo.

    London, England

    S.O.E. Monument

    A bronze bust commemorates the heroism of the secret agents who led covert operations against the Nazis.

  • The monument.

    Fairbanks, Alaska

    Lend-Lease Monument

    This super-sized statue is the only public memorial to the deal that ended America's neutrality during World War II.

  • The memorial

    Bainbridge Island, Washington

    Japanese American Exclusion Memorial

    This monument remembers the first Japanese Americans forcibly relocated during World War II.

  • Looking up the inside of the memorial tower

    Novo Selo Palanječko, Croatia

    Monument to the Detachment in Brezovica Forest

    A tower marking the spot where Yugoslavia began its resistance against the invading Nazis stands neglected, but not quite forgotten.

  • Bihać, Bosnia and Herzegovina

    Garavice Memorial Park

    A forgotten and crumbling Yugoslav monument to the victims of fascism.

  • The ‘Gate of Death’

    Kruševac, Serbia

    Slobodište Memorial Park

    Curious carved stones and bird-like wings are a symbol of Serbian resilience and freedom on the site of a WWII massacre.

  • The ‘Furrow’ monument at the Stratište Memorial Complex

    Jabuka, Serbia

    Stratište Memorial Complex

    An abandoned monument remembering the "Pančevo Holocaust" now stands as a shadow of its former self.

  • Čačak, Serbia

    Čačak Mausoleum of Struggle and Victory

    This symbol of Yugoslav liberation decorated with 620 carved heads of mythical creatures is now a forlorn relic of another time.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.