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Lafayette Statue, located near Pannessac Tower au Puy-en-Velay en Haute-Loire

Patrimoine classé
Patrimoine urbain
Statue
Haute-Loire

Lafayette Statue, located near Pannessac Tower

    Boulevard Saint-Louis
    43000 Le Puy-en-Velay
Statue de Lafayette du Puy En Velay
Statue de Lafayette, située près de la tour Pannessac
Statue de Lafayette, située près de la tour Pannessac
Statue de Lafayette, située près de la tour Pannessac
Statue de Lafayette, située près de la tour Pannessac
Statue de Lafayette, située près de la tour Pannessac
Crédit photo : Szeder László - Sous licence Creative Commons

Timeline

XIXe siècle
Époque contemporaine
1900
2000
1883
Erection of the statue
décembre 1943
Dumping under Vichy
2 décembre 1945
Post-Liberation Restoration
10 octobre 2005
Historical monument classification
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui

Heritage classified

The entire statue, including its base (cad. non-cadastre, public domain): registration by order of 10 October 2005

Key figures

Eugène Hiolle - Sculptor Author of the statue of Lafayette.
Antoine Martin - Architect Designer of the stone base.
Robert Brie - Police Commissioner Helped the Resistance save the statue.
Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette - Commemorated character Heroes of the American Revolution and Independence.

Origin and history

The statue of Lafayette, located boulevard Saint-Louis at Puy-en-Velay, was erected in 1883 by the municipality. Directed by sculptor Eugene Hiolle, it rests on a stone base designed by architect Antoine Martin. The inscriptions recall Lafayette's role in the French Revolution and American Independence, while his style reflects the monumental, realistic sculpture of the late 19th century.

During the Second World War, during the Vichy regime, the statue was debunked in December 1943 to be melted as part of metal recovery. Saved by the local Resistance, with the help of Commissioner Robert Brie, it was hidden on a farm in Solignac-sur-Loire until the Liberation. She was placed on her pedestal on December 2, 1945, becoming a symbol of resistance and memory.

Ranked a historic monument in 2005, this statue is the only notable monument of the Haute-Loire paying homage to its most illustrious child. It embodies a patriotic and humanitarian message, with Lafayette brandishing the tricolor cocard, and illustrates the monumental art of her time.

External links