Look closely at the statue before you. This is Le Conscrit de 1814. It is a bronze statue, a monument to commemorate the students of the École Polytechnique, who defended Paris in 1814. The statue was inaugurated in 1914 in the courtyard of the École Polytechnique. It depicts a young polytechnician, fully dressed in the uniform of the time, defending the French flag, sword in hand. Interestingly, this statue was a gift to the Académie Militaire de West Point in New York in 1919. It is a symbol of friendship between France and America. In 1986, the statue was transferred to Palaiseau, where the École Polytechnique had moved in 1977. Today, it stands in the courtyard of the school as a reminder of the bravery and sacrifice of the students. So, next time you see a student in the courtyard of the École Polytechnique, remember that they are walking in the footsteps of history. This is no ordinary statue. It is the legacy of courage and patriotism.
Église Notre-Dame de l’Air
Beneath what appears to be a simple stone and wood structure lies a history interwoven with faith aviation and community.