The Saute-Mouton

Le Saute-Mouton, childhood frozen in bronze

The Liège audio-guided tour leads you to Place des Carmes, a small, lively square known for its terraces and friendly atmosphere. In the middle of the fountain stands the Saute-Mouton, a bronze sculpture made in 1973 by the Liège artist Mady Andrien.

A children's game turned sculpture

Mady Andrien chose to depict a universal scene: children playing leapfrog, frozen in the joyful surge of movement. One reads in it the energy, spontaneity and freedom of childhood. Originally placed at the entrance of a sports centre, the work was moved here, where it blends perfectly with the water of the basin.

What there is to see

This old game, evoking trust and closeness, takes on a poetic dimension in the very heart of the city. Watch the movement captured by the sculptor and the way the bodies still seem suspended in mid-air. And if the Saute-Mouton inspires you, note that Liège has a second version, entitled L'Envol, set a little further on the Esplanade Saint-Léonard.

Practical information

The Saute-Mouton is on Place des Carmes, in central Liège, freely accessible at all hours and on the level. The square and its terraces are at the heart of the pedestrian zone, near the Vinâve d'Île.

Who created the Saute-Mouton?

The sculpture is the work of the Liège artist Mady Andrien, who created it in 1973. It depicts children playing leapfrog, frozen in mid-movement.

Is there another version in Liège?

Yes, Liège has a second sculpture on this theme, entitled L'Envol, set on the Esplanade Saint-Léonard, a little further into the city.