French Monument Dimension Quick Reference — Standard Stèle, Dalle, Soubassement Sizes in One Place
Quoting a French monument order without the right dimension table in front of you means guessing at metric figures that vary by piece type and by region. This French monument dimension quick reference brings every standard size together in one place — in metric, as specified by marbriers funéraires across France — so a supplier or marbrier can check a measurement in seconds rather than digging through old enquiries. Each piece name appears in French with the English translation in brackets, because an Indian production team and a French marbrier need to be reading the same specification without a translation step in between.
Quick Answer
Standard French monument dimensions run from a petite stèle at 60–80cm height to a grande stèle at 100–120cm. Dalles range from 80×50cm to 150×80cm. Soubassements are typically 15–25cm high with épaisseur 8–10cm. Semelles run 8–12cm high. These are standard approximations — the marbrier’s concession dimensions always take priority over any standard table.
Stèles (Headstones) — Standard Dimensions
The stèle is the upright element of a French monument, equivalent to a headstone in UK terminology. Three standard sizes cover the majority of orders, distinguished by height, width, and minimum épaisseur (thickness).
| Size Name | Hauteur (Height) | Largeur (Width) | Épaisseur minimum (Min. thickness) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petite stèle (Small stèle) | 60–80cm | 30–40cm | 7cm |
| Stèle standard (Standard stèle) | 80–100cm | 40–50cm | 8cm |
| Grande stèle (Large stèle) | 100–120cm | 50–60cm | 10cm |
Why minimum épaisseur matters
Épaisseur minimum is not a stylistic preference — it is the floor below which a stèle is considered structurally unsuitable for upright standing in French cemetery conditions. A grande stèle at 100–120cm height needs the full 10cm minimum specified above to remain stable; cutting a tall stèle thinner to save material is the kind of shortcut that creates problems years after installation, not at the point of sale.
Dalles / Tombales (Grave Slabs) — Standard Dimensions
The dalle, also called the tombale, is the flat slab covering the grave itself. Three standard sizes are used across most French concessions, scaling in both surface area and épaisseur together.
| Size Name | Dimensions | Épaisseur (Thickness) |
|---|---|---|
| Petite dalle (Small slab) | 80 × 50cm | 3–4cm |
| Dalle standard (Standard slab) | 100 × 60cm | 4–5cm |
| Grande dalle (Large slab) | 150 × 80cm | 5–6cm |
Understanding French thickness notation
French specifications often express épaisseur as a range written like “6/8” rather than a single figure. This notation means a minimum of 6cm and a maximum of 8cm is accepted — not 6cm or 8cm as two separate options, but a tolerance band the cut piece must fall within. Reading “5/7” as anything other than “minimum 5cm, maximum 7cm” is the most common specification error between Indian production teams and French marbriers, and it is worth confirming on every order rather than assuming.
Soubassements (Foundation Borders) — Standard Dimensions
The soubassement sits beneath the dalle as a foundation border, and its width is set by the dalle it supports rather than by an independent standard.
| Dimension | Standard Range |
|---|---|
| Hauteur (Height) | 15–25cm |
| Largeur (Width) | Matches the dalle it supports |
| Épaisseur (Thickness) | 8–10cm |
Semelles / Plinthes (Border Stones) — Standard Dimensions
Semelles, also called plinthes, are the border stones running along the edge of a concession. Their length is set by the dalle dimension, while height and width follow a tighter standard range.
| Dimension | Standard Range |
|---|---|
| Hauteur (Height) | 8–12cm |
| Largeur (Width) | 8–10cm |
| Longueur (Length) | Matches the dalle dimension |
The concession dimension always overrides the standard
Every figure in this reference reflects standard sizing used across French cemeteries generally, but the concession itself — the specific allocated plot — has its own fixed dimensions set by the cemetery and the existing surrounding monuments. A marbrier measuring an actual concession before ordering is working from the only specification that matters for that particular job. These tables are a starting reference for quoting and production planning, not a substitute for the concession measurement.
For a deeper look at how these dimensions interact with full monument design and cutting tolerances, see our full French dimensions reference. For Absolute Black granite specifications that pair with these monument sizes, visit the Absolute Black product page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the standard size for a French stèle?
A stèle standard measures 80–100cm in height, 40–50cm in width, with a minimum épaisseur of 8cm. This is the most commonly ordered size for individual concessions. A petite stèle (60–80cm) suits smaller plots, while a grande stèle (100–120cm) is used where the concession allows a taller monument and the family wants additional inscription space.
What does the “6/8” thickness notation mean on a French specification?
The notation “6/8” means the accepted épaisseur range runs from a minimum of 6cm to a maximum of 8cm — it is a tolerance band, not two separate thickness options. Any cut piece falling within that range meets the specification. This notation appears throughout French monument quoting, and reading it correctly avoids producing pieces outside the accepted range.
Do these standard dimensions apply to every French cemetery?
No. These are standard industry approximations used across the French memorial trade generally, but every concession has its own fixed dimensions set by the cemetery and by what already exists on neighbouring plots. The concession measurement always takes priority over any standard table — these figures are a reference point for quoting and planning, confirmed against the actual concession before production begins.
Why does the soubassement width depend on the dalle rather than have its own standard?
The soubassement functions as a foundation border directly beneath the dalle, so its width is set to match the slab it supports rather than following an independent dimension. Only the hauteur (15–25cm) and épaisseur (8–10cm) follow their own standard range — width is always taken from the dalle dimension confirmed for that specific monument.
Send StoneCrest your concession dimensions and we cut to your exact specification — no rounding to the nearest standard size, no compromise on the épaisseur tolerance your marbrier has confirmed. Get in touch with your concession measurements and we quote against the precise figures you provide.