In a small park in the centre of Valençay stands one of the more moving war memorials in France. The Valençay SOE Memorial honours the 104 agents of the Special Operations Executive's F Section — mostly British, with some French, Canadian, and other nationalities — who gave their lives working to liberate occupied France. The statue of a woman with arms raised was created by sculptor Véra Makovska and unveiled in 1991 by the Duke of Edinburgh.
The choice of Valençay for the memorial is fitting: agents were often dropped into the surrounding countryside by parachute at night, and many made their way through the Loire Valley on their way to circuits in Paris, the southwest, or the industrial north. The simple list of names and the quietly maintained park make for a reflective pause. It is easy to combine with a visit to the château — the two are only a few minutes' walk apart.