Mural François Mireur

A large plaque honoring "François Mireur, Hero of the Marseillaise" is located at the entrance to the village of Escragnolles.
A native of Escragnolles, where he was born on February 9, 1770, François Mireur earned his medical degree from the University of Montpellier at the age of 22. In June 1792, he organized the march of the Volunteers of the South toward Paris to repel the Austrian invaders. On June 22, 1792, he sang Rouget-de-Lisle’s song for the first time in Marseille; it was taken up by the Marseille federates, who spread it throughout their march to Paris—a song that would later become “La Marseillaise.”

A general under Bonaparte, François Mireur distinguished himself through his bravery in the Army of Italy. He died at the age of 28 on July 9, 1798, cut down in the prime of his glory at Damanhur during the Egyptian Campaign.

On the street leading from the mural to City Hall, a commemorative plaque on the wall of the house where he was born pays tribute to him.