Joffre Square

Joffre Square is a popular viewpoint and meeting place amongst the people of Diego Suarez, in the north of Madagascar. Overlooking the harbour, one can see Cap Diego, a former military station, on the other side of the bay.

A sign next to the monument reads: The statue of Marshal Joffre, built by the sculptor Raymond Sudre, was inaugurated in October 1933 as a tribute to the marshal who, from 1899 to 1905, re-organised the whole town which became a strong naval base.

Joffre Square used to be a focal point for receiving the optical signals transmitted from Cap D'Ambre. It has always been a favourite viewpoint, and even today Antsiranana people come here to watch the ships sail in... and out of the harbour.

Joseph Jacques Césaire Joffre (12 January 1852 – 3 January 1931)
French General
Tombouctou 1894
Diego Suarez 1903
La Marne 1914