Is that really bronze? The Colonne Vendôme stands tall. It is a testament to French history and ambition.
The Colonne Vendôme has undergone many changes. Governments wanted to leave their mark on this important symbol. Its eventful story mirrors France’s own journey. Balzac noted that the Colonne Vendôme was an important symbol. It helped define Paris throughout the 19th century.
In 1800, a plan was set to erect columns. These columns would honor the brave in each French region. Paris was to have two columns. One national column was planned for Place de la Concorde. A regional column was planned for Place Vendôme. In 1803, the idea was revived. A column in Place Vendôme would be like Trajan’s Column in Rome. It would feature 108 figures representing French regions and Charlemagne.
Dominique Vivant Denon suggested a memorial column after Austerlitz in 1805. It would be made from cannons captured from the Austrians. This column would honor the Grande Armée. A decree in 1806 confirmed the plan. Denon cleverly shifted the focus. He abandoned the Charlemagne idea. He proposed a Germanic column. The column would chronicle the 1805 campaign.
Lepère and Gondoin designed the Colonne Vendôme. It was first named Austerlitz Column. Later, it became Victory Column. Finally, it was named Grande Armée Column. Lepère oversaw the melting of 1,200 cannons. These cannons came from the Russians and Austrians. An inscription was engraved on the capital. It read: “Monument to the glory of the Grande Armée by Napoleon the Great, begun August 25, 1806, completed August 15, 1810.”
The Colonne Vendôme features a stone structure. It is covered with 425 bronze plates. Bergeret designed a spiral frieze. It depicts scenes from the campaign. Sculptors like Boizot, Bosio, Bartolini, and Rude created the sculptures.
The Colonne Vendôme stands 42 meters tall. Chaudet created a statue of Napoleon in Roman garb. Allies removed the statue in 1814. A fleur-de-lis flag replaced it during the Restoration. Under the July Monarchy, Seurre created a statue of Napoleon. He was depicted as a “Little Corporal.” It is now at Les Invalides. During the Second Empire, Dumont recreated Chaudet’s statue. The statue was reinstalled.
The Colonne Vendôme was toppled during the Commune. Gustave Courbet initiated this act. The column was restored in 1875. Courbet paid for the restoration.
The Morris column is another type of column. It is a tall, green advertising column. Gabriel Morris won a competition in 1868. He created this column for advertising. The Morris column became a fixture in Paris. It was used to advertise concerts, movies, and plays.
The Colonne Vendôme stands as a symbol of French history. It has witnessed glory and destruction. It reflects the ever-changing spirit of Paris. The Morris column offers a glimpse into Parisian street culture. It shows how advertising has evolved. Both columns tell unique stories. They show the diverse facets of Parisian life.