L'Homme sur sa bouée, Statue in Amiens, France
L'Homme sur sa bouée is a statue in Amiens, France, depicting a man standing on a buoy in the river Somme. The figure is carved from wood and wears a pale top and dark trousers, with its arms held close to its sides.
Created by Stephan Balkenhol in 1993 as part of a public commission, the original wooden sculpture stood in the river for years. After it was damaged in 2018, a new version made of stainless steel was installed in 2019, while the original was restored for the Museum of Picardie.
The figure has become a symbol of the Saint-Leu neighborhood and its student life, often serving as a meeting point. Its simple, everyday appearance makes it easy for people to identify with, and it is common to see people gathering near the river to look at it.
The statue is best viewed from the bridges and riverbanks near the Saint-Leu district, where you can see it from different angles. It is easily spotted while walking along the river, and the area is accessible on foot.
The current statue is a replacement: the original wooden figure, weakened by years in the water, broke at the ankles and is now kept in a museum. The new version is made of stainless steel, designed to withstand the river conditions.
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