Vercingétorix statue

The statue of Vercingetorix, in Clermont-Ferrand

The equestrian statue of Vercingetorix sits in the centre of the place de Jaude, emblem of Clermont-Ferrand. The Clermont-Ferrand audio-guided tour stops here to evoke this monument signed Auguste Bartholdi, the sculptor of the Statue of Liberty, that pays tribute to the Arverne chief, hero of the Gallic resistance against the Romans and first to unify the peoples of Gaul at the siege of Gergovie in 52 BC.

History

In the centre of the place de Jaude sits the impressive equestrian statue of Vercingetorix, signed Auguste Bartholdi, the sculptor to whom is also owed the famous Statue of Liberty of New York. In the first century before our era, Vercingetorix belongs to the people of the Arvernes, settled on what is today Auvergne. Gaul, so named by the Romans, is then not a nation, but a set of Celtic peoples sharing above all common origins. When the Romans undertake the conquest of Gaul, Vercingetorix becomes a symbol of the resistance: he is the first to unify these peoples to fight the invader, notably at the siege of Gergovie, the main battle of the war of the Gauls, in 52 before J.-C. He is thus owed a part of the construction of the French national identity. Installed in 1903, the bronze statue represents him on horseback, the sword raised towards the sky, leaping above a Roman on the ground, in a posture that symbolises his strength and his courage. Classified as a Historic Monument, it has become a true emblem of the city.

What to see

Here you admire the impressive bronze equestrian statue of Vercingetorix, signed Auguste Bartholdi, the author of the Statue of Liberty; installed in 1903 and classified as a Historic Monument, it represents the Arverne chief on horseback, the sword raised, leaping above a Roman, in tribute to the hero of Gergovie who unified the Gallic peoples against the Romans. The statue of Vercingetorix is an emblem of Clermont-Ferrand. It is a fine stop, to be explored on foot.

Practical information

The statue of Vercingetorix stands in the centre of the place de Jaude, in the heart of Clermont-Ferrand, reachable on foot. It is a monument in free access in the public space, that you discover during a walk on the square.

Who sculpted the statue of Vercingetorix of Clermont-Ferrand?

It is signed Auguste Bartholdi, the sculptor of the famous Statue of Liberty of New York; installed in 1903 and classified as a Historic Monument, this bronze equestrian statue represents the Arverne chief on horseback, the sword raised above a Roman on the ground, in tribute to the hero of Gergovie who unified the Gallic peoples against the Romans in 52 BC.

Where is the statue of Vercingetorix in Clermont-Ferrand?

In the centre of the place de Jaude, in the heart of Clermont-Ferrand, in France.