Places of memory

Le Monument des Bourgeois de Calais

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The statue of the Burghers of Calais, a work by Auguste Rodin inaugurated in 1895, is an emblematic monument in France. Made of bronze and weighing 1,5 tons, it commemorates an episode of the Hundred Years' War where six notables sacrificed themselves to save their besieged city.
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The statue of the Burghers of Calais is one of the most famous in France. It is one of the most photographed places in Calais… especially since the town hall, one of the most beautiful in France, is behind it! This major work by Auguste Rodin recalls a famous episode in the history of France 

 

The Monument of the Burghers of Calais is one of the most famous statues by the illustrious sculptor Auguste Rodin. This 1,5-ton bronze ensemble was lavishly inaugurated in 1895. It was a public commission from the municipality of the time. This is the first casting of the work, there are 11 other editions around the world, from the Rodin Museum in Paris to the Parliament in London and from the National Museum of Western Art in Tokyo to the prestigious Metropolitan Museum in New York. 

The Monument to the Burghers of Calais symbolises a famous episode in French medieval history. It refers to one of the first significant events of the Hundred Years' War, the capture of Calais by the English in 1347, after an 11-month siege.  

After his victory at Crécy (August 1346), Edward III of England besieged Calais, which was then surrounded by ramparts. The city surrendered on August 4, 1347. The King of England had demanded that notables come and hand over the keys to the city, dressed in a sheet and with a rope around their necks... Eustache de Saint-Pierre, Pierre and Jacques de Wissant, Jean d'Aire, Jean de Fiennes and Andrieu d'Andres devoted themselves to saving the population. They finally escaped hanging thanks to the intervention of Queen Philippa. The Crown of England took control of Calais for 211 years. In a few days at the beginning of 1558, François de Guise and his troops returned Calais and its surroundings to the Crown of France. 


Did you know? The monument to the Burghers of Calais was inaugurated in the context of a recent merger (1885) between Calais the port and Saint-Pierre the lacemaker. This explains why the statue was originally located in front of Richelieu Park, in the heart of the old medieval Calais. Between the two wars, it was placed on the parade ground. After the Second World War, the monument to the Burghers of Calais was placed opposite the Town Hall. This is its third location in 3 years! 

Place du Soldat Inconnu - 62100 CALAIS

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