Construction of the monument milieu XIXe siècle (≈ 1950)
Period of construction of the statue.
17 avril 2025
Registration as Historic Monument
Registration as Historic Monument 17 avril 2025 (≈ 2025)
Official protection of the monument.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Heritage classified
The monument to Descartes (the statue and its pedestal) located Place Anatole France and as represented on the plan annexed to the decree. It appears on the cadastral plan of the commune, section DY, on a public space not cadastral: inscription by decree of 17 April 2025
Key figures
Émilien de Nieuwerkerke - Sculptor
Author of the statue.
Origin and history
The monument to Descartes is a sculptural work located in Tours, in the Indre-et-Loire department, in the Centre-Val de Loire region. Built in the middle of the 19th century, it consists of a statue and its pedestal, installed on Place Anatole France. This monument is listed as a Historical Monument, highlighting its heritage and cultural importance to the city.
The statue was made by the sculptor Émilien de Nieuwerkerke, an artist known for his monumental works. The monument is owned by the municipality of Tours and has been subject to specific protection since a registration order dated 2025. Its location, in the heart of the city, makes it a historical landmark and symbol of the intellectual heritage associated with Descartes.
The location of the monument, although specified by GPS coordinates and an exact address, is considered to be of poor accuracy according to available sources. Despite this, it remains a central element of the urban landscape of Tours, attracting the attention of visitors and residents. Its registration as a Historical Monument guarantees its preservation for future generations.
