Lieutenant Bonaparte statue

The statue of Lieutenant Bonaparte, the young Napoleon in Valence

On Place Porte Neuve, a bronze statue represents a man seated, absorbed in reading. It is the young Napoleon Bonaparte, as he was in Valence in 1786, when he was stationed there. The Valence audio-guided tour stops here to tell of the future emperor's stay in the city, where he forged part of his training.

The future emperor stationed in Valence

Before becoming emperor, the young Bonaparte was a lieutenant stationed in Valence, where he stayed and read a great deal. The statue, the work of Jean-Paul Ravit inaugurated in 2010, depicts him at that time, book in hand, underlining the role of reading and study in his youth. It recalls the particular link uniting Valence to the figure of Napoleon.

What to see

The statue, life-size and set directly on the square, creates an intimate and accessible scene, far from the heroic representations of the imperial Napoleon. On Place Porte Neuve, it invites you to imagine the studious daily life of the young officer. It is an original stop that links the great history of France to an often-overlooked Valence episode.

Practical information

The statue of Lieutenant Bonaparte lies on Place Porte Neuve, in the centre of Valence, reachable on foot. It is an open-air work, freely visible at all times, with no ticket office. On the level on the square, it is easy to access and is discovered during a walk in the centre.

Why a statue of Bonaparte in Valence?

Because the young Napoleon was a lieutenant stationed in Valence in 1786; the statue, inaugurated in 2010, depicts him at that time, book in hand.

Who created the statue of Lieutenant Bonaparte?

It is the work of the sculptor Jean-Paul Ravit and was inaugurated in 2010, on Place Porte Neuve in Valence.