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Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Monument to Rabelais is a sculptural work erected in Tours (Indre-et-Loire) during the last quarter of the 19th century. It consists of a statue representing François Rabelais, accompanied by his pedestal, and is located on Rue des Tanneurs, in a non-cadaster public space. This monument, owned by the commune, was designed by the sculptor Henri Dumaige, whose name is explicitly associated with its realization in the archives.

Ranked under the title of Historic Monuments by an order of 17 April 2025, the monument protects both the statue and its base, as described in the annexed official documents. Its exact location has been the subject of administrative clarification, with a main address on Rue des Tanneurs, although approximate GPS coordinates also place it near the Rond-Point des Mariniers. The accuracy of its location is assessed as fair (note 5/10) in heritage databases.

This monument is part of a 19th century tradition of celebration of French literary and intellectual figures, reflecting the importance of Rabelais for the city of Tours, where he exercised part of his activity. Its recent ranking (2025) marks a late recognition of its heritage value, although its creation dates back more than a century. No information is available on its current accessibility (visits, events) or possible ancillary functions (rent, accommodation).

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