Porte du soleil, Granite sculpture on A7 motorway in Savasse, France
Porte du Soleil is a monumental granite structure at the Savasse rest area along the A7 motorway, marked by a circular opening and a separate disc representing a solar mirror. The composition consists of pink granite sourced from Spain and was specifically selected for durability in this outdoor highway environment.
Artist Ivan Avoscan completed this public art installation in 1989 during a period of growing artistic presence along French highways. The work marks a turning point in recognizing that public transit routes could also provide space for creative expression.
The sculpture represents an effort to transform ordinary highway rest areas into places where travelers encounter contemporary art. It shows how public spaces along major routes can be designed to offer drivers something to reflect on during their journey.
The artwork is located at coordinates 44.6000428, 4.7947774 and is visible to motorists on the A7 near the Savasse rest area. The best time to view it is during daylight hours when sunlight illuminates the granite surfaces clearly and makes the details stand out.
The pink granite blocks were specially transported from Spain and required specific engineering solutions to remain stable in this windy highway environment. This material choice and technical planning demonstrate how artistic vision intertwines with practical feasibility.
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