Statue of General Desaix in Clermont-Ferrand

The General Desaix statue stands on a granite pedestal in Place de Jaude, depicting the military commander in his 18th-century uniform with detailed bronze craftsmanship. The monument is positioned in the central area of the plaza and accessible from multiple pedestrian paths.

The work was commissioned in 1838 by the council of Puy-de-Dôme and completed by sculptor Charles-François Lebœuf in Paris by 1844. The monument was unveiled in 1848 and received its elevated granite pedestal in 1903 to make it more prominent.

The monument faces the Vercingetorix statue across the plaza, creating a visual conversation between two important French military figures from different eras. This arrangement allows visitors to observe both monuments and sense the historical connection between them.

The site is centrally positioned on the plaza and easy to reach from multiple directions. The best time to visit is early morning or late afternoon when the plaza is less crowded.

The original brick and wood base was replaced in the early 1900s with the current granite pedestal, showing how the monument's importance evolved over time. This transformation made the statue far more visible and gave it a more permanent place in the urban landscape.