Strasbourg

The Strasbourg statue is a stone female figure holding a sword, positioned at the northeast corner of the octagonal Place de la Concorde. It belongs to a series of eight sculptures representing French cities, arranged around the central obelisk of the square.

Sculptor James Pradier created this neoclassical work in 1836 during King Louis-Philippe's reign. The series of eight city statues was part of a broader program to artistically enhance the square.

The statue embodies the bond between Paris and the Alsace region, draped in black cloth after 1870 when Strasbourg fell under German control. This gesture of mourning reflected how deeply Parisians felt connected to their lost city.

The square is easily accessible on foot and offers direct connections to the Champs-Élysées and the Tuileries Gardens via marked pedestrian paths. The best time to visit is outside peak hours when fewer crowds and traffic make the space less crowded.

Each of the eight statues on the square corresponds geographically to the actual location of the French city it represents relative to France's position. This subtle cartographic arrangement reflects how 19th-century artists expressed national geography through sculpture.

Location: 8th arrondissement of Paris

Inception: 1838

Creator: James Pradier

Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible

GPS coordinates: 48.86580,2.32270

Latest update: December 15, 2025 13:26