Lille, Statue in 8th arrondissement of Paris, France
The Lille statue is a bronze allegorical figure by James Pradier, placed in the 8th arrondissement of Paris. It belongs to a series of sculptures representing French cities, set on a pedestal in a public space. The figure is carved in classical style, with draped garments and attributes identifying the northern city.
The work was created in 1836 and unveiled in 1838 as part of a campaign honoring French cities through monumental sculpture across Paris. This period represented the height of this artistic movement celebrating regional identities.
The sculpture portrays Lille as a female figure, reflecting the classical way cities were represented artistically in the 1800s. This form of depicting urban identity through public art was a common practice of that era.
The bronze stands outdoors in the 8th arrondissement, on the Place de la Madeleine side of the square facing the church, and can be viewed at any hour without a ticket. The figure rests on a stone pedestal, so the upper body is best seen from a few steps back; the inscribed base is at eye level for reading.
The Lille statue is one of a series of sculptures of French cities commissioned for the Place de la Concorde under Louis-Philippe, and the figure was made by James Pradier, who also produced the Strasbourg statue there. The original plaster model is kept in Lille's Palais des Beaux-Arts.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 94,629 contributors worldwide.
