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.

Cast in Alexis Rudier's foundry and shown at the 1930 Salon, the statue was meant to depict Joan of Arc, but its warrior look drew objections, including an unfavourable opinion from the Commission centrale des monuments commémoratifs in February 1956. To avoid a diplomatic incident over a Danish gift, it was renamed La France renaissante, authorised by decree on 3 August 1956 and inaugurated in 1958 with the Danish ambassador present.

The statue was first meant to depict Joan of Arc, but its warrior look was judged too Nordic, close to a Valkyrie, and the commemorative commission rejected it in February 1956. To avoid a diplomatic incident with Denmark, it was renamed La France renaissante, a decorative title taken from de Gaulle's 18 June 1942 speech at the Royal Albert Hall recalling Bir Hakeim.

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.