The Column of Louis XVIII

The Louis XVIII Column, in Calais

The Louis XVIII Column commemorates the landing of the king at Calais in 1814, on his return from exile. The Calais audio-guided tour stops here to evoke this historic monument, a witness of a notable episode of the history of France.

The monument of the king's return

The Louis XVIII Column was erected to commemorate a notable event: the landing of King Louis XVIII at Calais in 1814, when he returned to France after years of exile, at the fall of the Napoleonic Empire. It is through the port of Calais, the traditional gateway between France and England, that the sovereign set foot again on French soil. The monument marks the site of this historic event, on the seafront. A witness of the Restoration and the role of Calais as a point of passage between the two countries, the column recalls an important chapter of the history of France.

What to see

You admire the monument commemorating the landing of King Louis XVIII at Calais in 1814, on his return from exile, on the seafront, a witness of the role of the town as a gateway between France and England. The Louis XVIII Column recalls a chapter of the history of France. It is a stop for those curious about history, to be explored on foot.

Practical information

The Louis XVIII Column lies on the seafront of Calais, reachable on foot. It is an open-air monument, freely accessible from the public space. You discover it during a walk along the coast.

What does the Louis XVIII Column commemorate in Calais?

The landing of King Louis XVIII at Calais in 1814, when he returned to France after years of exile, at the fall of the Napoleonic Empire, through the traditional port between France and England.

Where is the Louis XVIII Column?

On the seafront of Calais, in France.