Gazing across the Seine, you’ll see a lone soldier standing guard. That’s the Statue du 4e R\u00e9giment de Zouaves. He’s a silent witness to Paris’ history, especially its dramatic floods. This statue is more than just a monument. He’s a Parisian icon, a beloved symbol of the city’s resilience. The Statue du 4e R\u00e9giment de Zouaves was originally one of four. Each statue represented a regiment from the Crimean War, standing proudly on the old Pont de l’Alma. When the bridge was rebuilt in the 1970s, only the Zouave remained in his original spot.
Now, he stands on the new bridge’s single pier, a testament to the past. Parisians have a long-standing tradition. They use the Zouave as an informal gauge for the Seine’s water level. When the water reaches his feet, it’s a cause for concern. Reaching his waist? That’s a serious flood. In the devastating flood of 1910, the water rose so high it almost engulfed him, reaching his shoulders. Imagine the power of the Seine to rise that high! The Zouave, though, remained steadfast. He’s a symbol of Paris, enduring through thick and thin.