{"id":43254,"date":"2026-06-26T09:33:47","date_gmt":"2026-06-26T09:33:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/jevisitelyon.com\/?page_id=43254"},"modified":"2026-06-26T09:48:17","modified_gmt":"2026-06-26T09:48:17","slug":"the-equestrian-statue-in-place-bellecour-in-comic-strip-form","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/jevisitelyon.com\/en\/the-equestrian-statue-in-place-bellecour-in-comic-strip-form\/","title":{"rendered":"The equestrian statue in Place Bellecour, in comic strip form"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tLyon Illustrated<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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The equestrian statue in Place Bellecour, in comic strip form<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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Why does the statue of Louis XIV stand in the center of Place Bellecour? Is it really the one erected during the reign of the Sun King?<\/p>

Between sea voyage, spectacular shipwreck, destruction during the French Revolution and rebirth in the 19th century, its story is worthy of a true adventure novel.<\/p>

Discover this story in a different way through our comic book.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\"history\t\t\t\t

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A turbulent history<\/h2>

Contrary to what many believe, the statue visible today is not the one
Established under Louis XIV. Its history begins in the 17th century and spans more than
350 years of historical events.<\/p><\/section>

1658: Bellecour becomes Place Royale<\/h2>

To honor Louis XIV, the city decided to erect a huge equestrian statue.
The project was entrusted to the sculptor Martin Desjardins.<\/p><\/section>

An extraordinary journey<\/h2>

Completed in Paris in 1694, the statue traveled to Lyon via a spectacular route:
Rouen, Gibraltar, Toulon, Arles then the Rh\u00f4ne as far as Oullins.
An exceptional journey for a work of this size.<\/p><\/section>

1701: The statue topples<\/h2>

During unloading near Lyon, the statue fell.
It wasn't until 1715 that it was finally installed on its pedestal.<\/p><\/section>

The Revolution changes everything<\/h2>

In 1792, the royal statues were destroyed.
Louis XIV's bronze was melted down to make cannons.
The original work disappears forever.<\/p><\/section>

1825: a new statue for Bellecour<\/h2>

The Lyon-based sculptor Fran\u00e7ois-Fr\u00e9d\u00e9ric Lemot is creating a new statue of nearly
5.70 meters high and weighing approximately 15 tons.
This is the one we admire today.<\/p><\/section>

Did you know?<\/h2>
  • \"\ud83c\udfc7\" The current statue dates from 1825.<\/li>
  • \"\ud83d\udea2\" The first statue arrived in Lyon by boat.<\/li>
  • \"\ud83c\udf0d\" His journey included a stop in Gibraltar.<\/li>
  • \"\ud83d\udd25\" The original work was destroyed during the Revolution.<\/li>
  • \"\ud83d\udc0e\" Transporting the new statue required a team of ten horses.<\/li><\/ul><\/section>

    \"\ud83d\udccd\" Where is the statue?<\/h2>

    The equestrian statue is located in the center of Place Bellecour.,
    in the heart of the Presqu'\u00eele of Lyon.
    It faces the Basilica of Fourvi\u00e8re and is one of the monuments
    the most photographed in the city.<\/p>