“A marshal’s valor echoed in every cobblestone,” I began, my voice ringing with dramatic flair. We stand before Allée du Maréchal Moncey, a tribute to a man whose life was a whirlwind of battles, betrayals, and unwavering loyalty. Allée du Maréchal Moncey commemorates Bon-Adrien Jeannot de Moncey, Duke of Conegliano. He defended Paris against Russian forces in 1814, a feat immortalized in bronze and stone right here in Place Clichy. This monument at Allée du Maréchal Moncey isn’t just a statue. It’s a storybook cast in metal. It depicts Marshal Moncey, a hero of both the Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars, standing proudly before an allegorical figure of Paris. At the base, a dying soldier reminds us of the sacrifices made. The monument, erected in 1869, is the work of sculptor Amédée Doublemard and architect Edmond Guillaume. The bronze, cast by Thiébaut Frères, gleams even today.
Look closer at the pedestal. You’ll find three bas-reliefs added in 1870. These depict the “Combat de la barrière de Clichy,” “La Patrie en deuil,” and “Le Patriotisme.” The inscription on the pedestal tells us more about the monument’s creation. Commissioned under Napoleon III, it commemorates Moncey’s defense of Paris at the Clichy barrier on March 30, 1814. Allée du Maréchal Moncey thus honors a man who rose through the ranks, from a lawyer’s son to a Marshal of the Empire. He fought bravely in the War of the Pyrenees, forcing Spain to sue for peace. He later led troops across the treacherous Gotthard Pass into Italy during Napoleon’s campaign of 1800. Interestingly, Moncey refused to participate in Napoleon’s disastrous invasion of Russia. This decision spared him the horrors of that campaign but didn’t diminish his courage. He returned to defend Paris in 1814.
Moncey’s loyalty was tested. He served under Louis XVIII, even being made a Peer of France. He remained neutral during Napoleon’s brief return from exile, feeling bound by his oath to the king. His refusal to participate in Marshal Ney’s court-martial after Waterloo led to imprisonment and loss of his titles. Yet, even in disgrace, he remained a figure of respect. Allée du Maréchal Moncey reminds us of his complex journey. He was reinstated as marshal just three years later, later commanding the army corps of the Hundred Thousand Sons of Saint Louis in 1823. He concluded his distinguished career as the governor of Les Invalides. A remarkable end for a remarkable man. Moncey’s devotion to Napoleon is legendary. In 1840, aged and frail, he attended Napoleon’s funeral, a final tribute to the emperor he served. He reportedly said, “Now let’s go home to die.” And so, at Allée du Maréchal Moncey, we remember Bon-Adrien Jeannot de Moncey. A soldier, a marshal, a man of principle. He left an indelible mark on French history, and his legacy continues to inspire here at Allée du Maréchal Moncey.