Grave of Victor Noir, Bronze tomb in Père Lachaise Cemetery, France
Victor Noir's grave is a bronze effigy at Père Lachaise Cemetery in France, created by sculptor Jules Dalou. The life-sized figure shows the journalist lying on the ground with all the details of his clothing, including his hat and unbuttoned coat.
Victor Noir died in 1870, shot by Prince Pierre Bonaparte, which led to protests against Napoleon III's regime. His funeral attracted tens of thousands of people and made him a symbol of resistance.
The grave has become a place where visitors from different countries touch certain parts of the bronze sculpture, especially its genitals and mouth, believing it brings fertility and good luck. Today, this gesture is so common that the statue is one of the most visited in the cemetery.
The monument is in the 20th arrondissement of Paris at Père Lachaise Cemetery, which is large and requires a fair amount of walking. A cemetery map can help locate the statue more quickly, as it sits along one of the many pathways.
The bronze surface shows clear differences in patina where countless visitors have touched certain spots over the years. These areas now shine brighter than the rest of the figure and form a recognizable pattern on the metal.
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