La France renaissante, Bronze equestrian statue on Ile aux Cygnes, Paris, France
La France renaissante is a bronze equestrian statue on Ile aux Cygnes in Paris that depicts a female warrior in chainmail wearing a haloed helmet and seated on a galloping horse. The monument sits beneath the Pont de Bir-Hakeim bridge and occupies an island location on the Seine, surrounded by water on three sides.
Danish sculptor Holger Wederkinch created the bronze statue in 1930 as a gift from the Danish community to the city of Paris. The work emerged during a period when the city was actively exchanging cultural contributions with various European nations.
The figure represents a warrior woman embodying readiness for battle, dressed in chainmail and a haloed helmet. Today visitors see it as a symbol of French renewal rather than a reference to any single historical person.
The monument sits on an island accessible via pedestrian bridges and stands at the boundary of the 15th and 16th districts. The Pont de Bir-Hakeim above it connects to metro line 6, and the location features riverside pathways for walking.
The figure grips a sword with a wavy blade in her right hand while controlling a banner with her left, creating an unusual fighting pose. This detail gives the statue a dynamic force that visitors often miss on a quick walk by.
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