Colonne Louis XVIII
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Colonne Louis XVIII
Quai de la Colonne Louis XVIII - 62100 CALAIS
Facing the quays of Calais, the Louis XVIII column bears witness to a local event and the beginning of an important period in French history. It was erected in August 1814, four months after the future king's return via Calais. Napoleon I abdicated in early April 1814. The end of the Empire coincided with the return of the Monarchy. This marked the beginning of the Restoration. The heir to the throne was the brother of the deceased Louis XVI, 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 king's return was a major event in Calais. Large crowds gathered when he disembarked on the quays where the fish and seafood market is located today. They even made a mold of the king's foot—which would prove useful a few weeks later! A public subscription was organized to finance a commemorative monument. The task was entrusted to Henri Hobacq, the city architect of Calais. He chose to place a Tuscan column on a pedestal. The column was surmounted by a sphere representing the globe. Originally, this globe was topped with a fleur-de-lis, the 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 stood on the quays. It was moved to its current location during the reconstruction of the district after the devastation of the Second World War. It is worth noting that the future Louis XVIII was welcomed with great pomp and enthusiasm. The pier and quays of Calais were packed with people; all the local dignitaries were present when the Royal Sovereign docked. A procession made its way to Notre Dame Church to attend a mass, and the future king was invited to a sumptuous dinner in his honor. The next day, he left Calais.
