Lion of Belfort, Monumental sculpture in Place Denfert-Rochereau, Paris, France
The Lion of Belfort is a monumental copper sculpture that dominates the central plaza in this Parisian district, cast from solid metal with imposing proportions. The figure depicts a lion in a tense, alert posture with muscular detail that commands the entire space.
The sculpture was created in 1880 by sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi to honor the successful defense of the city of Belfort during the Franco-Prussian War. It commemorates a moment when one city endured prolonged siege and became a symbol of French resistance.
The monument embodies French resilience and has long served as a symbol of strength for visitors and locals passing through the square. People gather around it to take photographs and pause, treating it as a meaningful gathering point rather than merely a sculptural display.
The statue stands at a central plaza where several major streets meet, making it easy to find and serving as a clear reference point for navigation. Visitors can walk around the sculpture from different sides of the square to view it from multiple angles.
The monument is a replica of a larger original made from red sandstone that still stands in the city of Belfort, positioned on a hillside. This Parisian version was created later to keep the story and pride of that eastern city present in the capital's heart.
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