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Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The statue of Xavier Bichat, located in Bourg-en-Bresse in the department of Ain, is a 1843 sculpture by sculptor David d'Angers. It was commissioned by the Ain emulation company through a national subscription and inaugurated on 24 August 1843 in Grenette Square. Xavier Bichat, a doctor who spent his childhood in Ain and began his studies at Bourg-en-Bresse Hospital, is thus honored by this monument.

The project of this statue dates back to 1822, but its realization was not realized until 1843. Originally, it was installed in the lower part of the Bastion, today Place Grenette, before being moved in 1970 to the garden of the Bastion for urban reasons. A first displacement had already taken place in 1870, at the end of the Bastion Square.

During the Vichy regime, while many bronze statues were melted for metal recovery, Xavier Bichat's statue was spared. It has been listed as a historic monument since March 25, 2016, including the statue and its base. Today, it is located on the promenade of the Bastion, near Dallemagne Street.

Xavier Bichat is a major figure in medicine, known for his work in pathological anatomy. His connection with Bourg-en-Bresse, where he began his medical studies, justifies the erection of this monument in his honour. The statue, owned by the municipality, remains a local symbol of the scientific and cultural heritage of the region.

The construction of this monument is part of the development of local and scientific figures in the 19th century. National subscriptions to finance such projects were common, reflecting citizens' commitment to the preservation of collective memory. Bourg-en-Bresse, a city marked by its history and heritage, was able to preserve this artistic and historical testimony.

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