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Origin and history

The Pétremand monument of Valay, located in Valay in Burgundy-Franche-Comté, is a work of iron cast iron made in the second half of the 19th century. It is distinguished by its rare technique for the time, iron cast iron being generally reserved for fountains or copies of antique, unlike public bronze monuments. This monument is the largest cast iron produced by the Saint-Eve foundry in Besançon, under the direction of the sculptor Paul Franceschi, disciple of François Rude. The drapes recall his other works, such as those of the court of Besançon Hospital.

The monument commemorates Désiré-Adrien Petremand de Valay (1758-1849) and his wife Françoise Marie Louise (1767-1847), benefactors of the commune, as well as Barbe Reigner. Inaugurated on November 24, 1857 on Fénelon Square, he celebrated their contribution to education (schools for boys and girls, asylum room) and to communal planning (cimetery). Financed by public subscription, it was realized by the Saint-Eve foundry after the abandonment of a first project with the Compagnie Générale des sepultures.

The original stone base disappeared in the 1960s due to its degraded condition. It was replaced by a masonry, erasing the inscriptions dedicated to the Petremands and changing the height of the sculpture. The sculpted group, based on a daguerreotype for a realistic rendering, has been protected since 2021. The bas-reliefs of the basement, now disappeared, were designed by the marbrier Joseph-Salomon Piguet.

The monument illustrates the importance of local patrons in the development of rural communities in the 19th century, particularly in the areas of education and infrastructure. Its history also reflects the challenges of conservation of outdoor works, subject to climatic hazards and restoration choices. The iron casting technique, innovative for the time, bears witness to the artistic and industrial experiments of the period.

The place Fénelon, where it stands, was renamed in honour of Madame de Valay at the inauguration. This monument remains a symbol of the generosity of the Petremands, whose donations allowed the installation of the Sisters of Saint Vincent de Paul and the Brothers of the Christian Schools, lastingly marking the educational and social life of Valay.

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