The statue of Michel de Montaigne

Paris,The statue of Michel de MontaigneFrance
The statue of Michel de Montaigne
56 Rue des Écoles, 75005, Paris, France
In the tranquil Square Paul Painlevé of the 5th arrondissement stands the statue of Montaigne, opposite the medieval-esque Hôtel de Cluny, which houses the National Museum of the Middle Ages. Notably, the statue gazes directly towards the renowned Sorbonne university.

Over the years, a tradition has formed: students believe that rubbing Montaigne’s right shoe and greeting the statue with, “Salut, Montaigne!” will bring them luck in their exams. On one visit, tourists, eager to absorb Parisian culture, were the primary participants in this tradition.

History

Originally crafted from white marble, the statue had to be replaced in 1933 due to the wear and tear from countless touches. A sturdier bronze version was chosen, giving Montaigne’s right shoe its notable sheen. This lustrous detail can also be observed on the bust of Dalida in Montmartre.

The current representation, designed in 1933, captures Montaigne in a leisurely pose. Historically, Michel Eyquem de Montaigne (1533-1592) was a prominent French philosopher from the Renaissance era, renowned for his deep intellectual reflections.

Accessible from the Cluny-la Sorbonne métro station on line 10, this statue is a focal point, often surrounded by intrigued onlookers.