Statue du Général Charles de Gaulle

This bronze figure stands in Place Clemenceau, marking a site that was once off-limits for such a tribute. Charles de Gaulle himself had long opposed the idea of having a statue of himself erected in France. It was only after his family finally lifted their longstanding ban that plans for this monument could move forward in the late twentieth century. The statue depicts the General as he appeared on August 26, 1944. On that day, he walked down the Champs-Elysees in a triumphant liberation parade, shortly after the surrender of German forces in the city. The artist, Jean Cardot, chose to capture that specific moment of the General’s stride to represent his role in the nation's wartime resilience. You might notice the pedestal is inscribed with words he spoke during that very parade. He famously declared Paris shattered, Paris martyred, but Paris liberated. This phrase remains a powerful anchor for the history of the city. The project was unique in its funding, relying on a public subscription rather than exclusive state financing. By choosing this route, the organizers allowed ordinary citizens to contribute directly to the creation of the memorial. This choice turned the construction into a collective act of remembrance. Jean Cardot, the sculptor responsible for this work, also created another significant monument nearby on the Avenue Winston Churchill. His bronze statue of Winston Churchill stands just a short walk away, placing these two wartime leaders in close proximity within the same district. This connection highlights their shared, critical role in the history of the twentieth century.