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Heritage classified

Origin and history

The statue of the Virgin in Argentan is a monumental sculpture erected in 1648, in the commune of Argentan, in the department of Orne. It is located at 33 rue de la Chaussée, a site that once corresponded to the door of the Chaussée, a fortified entrance to the city. This statue, which represents the Virgin carrying the child Jesus, is a typical example of 17th century religious art, a period marked by a revival of Marian devotion in France.

The statue, as well as the sheltered niche, was listed as historical monuments by decree of 20 November 1934. This official protection underscores its heritage and artistic importance. The monument is characteristic of religious works commissioned at that time, often intended to mark the urban space and affirm the presence of the Catholic faith in cities.

Argentan, located in Normandy, was in modern times a dynamic city, marked by commercial and craft activities. Religious statues, like that of the Virgin, played a central role in everyday life, serving as a spiritual and social landmark for the inhabitants. These monuments were often erected at strategic locations, such as city gates or intersections, to recall divine protection over the city.

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