Hélitas Park, Park in Aurillac, France
Parc Hélitas is a city park in Aurillac, in the Cantal department of south-central France. The grounds cover a large area near the Stade Jean Alric and include open lawns, clusters of trees, a fitness trail, children's play areas, and a mountain bike circuit.
The park was created in the early 20th century by Maurice Hélitas, a prefect of the Cantal who wanted to promote physical fitness among the population. During World War I, the grounds were laid out by Danish prisoners of war, and in 1916 the site was also used for military training.
Inside the park stands a bronze statue known as the Borghese Gladiator, a copy of an ancient sculpture displayed at the Louvre. It was given by the French state to the city of Aurillac in the early 20th century and now stands tucked among old trees.
The park is easy to reach on foot or by bike and is open during daylight hours. Wearing comfortable shoes is a good idea, especially if you plan to use the fitness trail or explore the full grounds.
The bronze statue inside the park was hidden during World War II to protect it from being seized. It was later returned to the same spot and now stands among trees that have been growing since the early 20th century.
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