Colonne Louis XVIII

Facing the quays of Calais, the Louis XVIII column bears witness to a local event, and to the beginning of an important period in the history of France. It was erected in August 1814, four months after the return via Calais of the future king.  

Napoleon I abdicated at the beginning of April 1814. The end of the Empire corresponded to the return of the Monarchy. It was the beginning of the Restoration. The heir to the throne was the brother of the late Louis XVI. He was Louis Stanislas Louis of France, the future Louis XVIII, who had been in exile in England for several years. He returned to France and landed in Calais on April 24, 1814.  

The return of the king was an event in Calais. The crowd was large when he landed on the quays where the fish and seafood market is today. They even cast the imprint of the king's foot...which would prove useful a few weeks later!

A public subscription was organized to design a commemorative monument. The task was entrusted to Henri Hobacq, architect of the city of Calais. He chose to place a Tuscan column on a pedestal. The column is surmounted by a sphere representing the terrestrial globe. Originally, this globe was surmounted by a fleur-de-lis, symbol of the monarchy. In front of the pedestal, a plaque on the ground bears the imprint of the royal foot.

The inauguration took place on August 25, 1814. At the time, the column was located on the quays. It took its current place during the reconstruction of the district after the disaster of the Second World War. 

To note that : The future Louis XVIII is welcomed with great pomp and enthusiasm. The pier and quays of Calais are packed with people, all the local notables are present when the Royal Sovereign ship docks. A procession heads to the Notre Dame church to attend a mass, and the future king is invited to a sumptuous dinner in his honor. The next day, he leaves Calais.