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Equestrian statue of Henri IV on the Pont-Neuf
Equestrian statue of Henri IV on the Pont-Neuf

The equestrian statue of Henri IV, an inseparable feature of the Pont Neuf and a familiar feature of Paris, has gone through three versions, the last of which was inaugurated in 1818. The first statue made by Giambologna and Pietro Tacca dates from 1614 and was destroyed during the Revolution. The sculptures of slaves that used to adorn its corners are now visible at the musée du Louvre.

The second version was a temporary plaster statue, made by Henri-Victor Roguier on the basis of one of the horses of the quadriga above the Brandenburg Gate. It was erected in May 1814 to celebrate the return of Louis XVIII to the French throne and bore on its base the inscription "le retour de Louis fait revivre Henri” (“the return of Louis brings Henri back to life”).

We owe the last version, in bronze this time, to the sculptor François-Frédéric Lemot. Its inauguration on 25 August 1818, Saint Louis’s day, was cause for a lavish ceremony, and marked the return to power of the monarchy. As in many memorials, objects and documents were placed in the hollow part of the sculpture: parchments concerning the inauguration of the statue, medals, works on Henri IV. A selection of these is now preserved in the Archives nationales.

The structure is classified as a historic monument.

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