Equestrian statue of Louis XIV

The equestrian statue of Louis XIV stands on Place des Victoires, showing the king mounted on a rearing horse atop an ornate pedestal. The base features bronze relief panels that depict significant military victories and events from his reign.

The original sculpture from 1686 by Martin Desjardins was destroyed during the French Revolution. The current version was recreated in 1822 by François-Joseph Bosio as a restoration of royal authority after the political upheaval.

The monument sits at the heart of a busy square where locals and visitors naturally gather, marking royal importance in the city's layout. Its position reflects how Parisians organized their neighborhoods around symbols of state power.

The statue is freely accessible during the day on Place des Victoires and can be viewed from all angles. The nearest metro stations are Bourse, Palais Royal-Musée du Louvre, and Sentier, each within a short walk.

The two bronze relief panels depict not only military triumphs but also the founding of the Royal Military Order of Saint Louis, an important court decoration. Many visitors focus only on the mounted figure and miss these intricate historical details cast into the base.

Location: 1st arrondissement of Paris

Location: 2nd arrondissement of Paris

Inception: 1686

Architects: Jean-Antoine Alavoine

Creator: Martin Desjardins, François Joseph Bosio, Jean-Antoine Alavoine

Made from material: bronze

GPS coordinates: 48.86583,2.34111

Latest update: December 8, 2025 19:45