What declaration is etched on the base of the Monument du Général Kléber? It reads: “Soldats, on ne répond à une telle insolence que par des victoires. Préparez-vous à combattre”. This translates to “Soldiers, one only responds to such insolence with victories. Prepare to fight.”
The Monument du Général Kléber stands proudly on Place Kléber in Strasbourg. It commemorates Jean-Baptiste Kléber. He was a celebrated general during the French Revolution.
Let’s delve into the monument’s history. The story is as captivating as the statue itself. Kléber was assassinated in Cairo in 1800. Fearing his tomb would become a republican pilgrimage site, Napoleon delayed his burial.
Kléber’s remains were eventually brought back to France. They rested at the Château d’If near Marseille. Finally, in 1818, Louis XVIII approved their transfer to Kléber’s birthplace. That is Strasbourg. His ashes were temporarily placed in Strasbourg Cathedral. In 1838, they were moved to a vault. This vault was built in the center of the Place d’Armes. The square was then renamed Place Kléber.
The bronze statue atop the Monument du Général Kléber was inaugurated in 1840. This was forty years after his death. Philippe Grass created the statue. It depicts Kléber holding a letter from British Admiral George Keith Elphinstone. The admiral demanded Kléber’s surrender in Egypt.
The Monument du Général Kléber has faced turbulent times. During the Franco-Prussian War and both World Wars, Alsace-Lorraine was annexed. The monument mirrors this history. The authorities did not initially move the statue. However, during World War II, the Nazis moved Kléber’s remains. They reinterred them in the Cronenbourg military cemetery. The statue was moved to the historical museum. The Place Kléber was renamed.
Strasbourg’s liberation in 1945 marked the statue’s return. Kléber’s ashes were returned to their rightful place. The square regained its historic name. The Monument du Général Kléber became a symbol. It represents French national identity. It also embodies Alsatian particularism.
Look closely at the mausoleum’s facades. Four plaques show Kléber’s battles. They depict the battles of Heliopolis and Altenkirchen. A short biography and epitaph also appear. A sphinx lies behind Kléber. It represents Egypt. This reminds us of Kléber’s time during Napoleon’s military expedition.
Today, the Monument du Général Kléber is a central point. Military commemorations take place here. Public demonstrations also occur here. During winter, the statue faces the grand Christmas tree. It’s quite a sight.
The Monument du Général Kléber is more than just a statue. It represents courage. It embodies defiance and Alsatian identity. It’s a tribute to a remarkable general. He left an indelible mark on Strasbourg and France. Take a moment to appreciate its significance. Remember the declaration etched on its base. Think about the history it represents.