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The statue of the Republic soon to be surrounded by fences and greenery?

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The Editor

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Regularly covered in graffiti during protests, the statue of the Republic might soon be surrounded by a " vegetal setting " and fences. The PS mayor of Paris-Centre, Ariel Weil, reveals a development plan aimed at protecting the monument without deeply altering the famous Place de la République.

Between political inscriptions, activist messages, and simple graffiti, the statue of the Republic, inaugurated in 1883, has been regularly covered in paint or tags during gatherings held in the famous square for years. This practice, while part of a certain activist tradition surrounding this emblematic location, turns out to be a real headache for the City of Paris, which is forced to spend several million euros each year to remove the tags from its urban furniture.

As the municipal elections approach, Ariel Weil, the socialist mayor of Paris-Centre, is proposing a very simple solution to the problem: to install a small elevated garden around the monument, complete with railings. In a recently unveiled « artist's view », the statue would thus appear in a subtle green setting, creating a physical distance between the visitors and the monument.


A project with limited room for maneuver

The goal is twofold: to protect the base of the monument and to visually remind everyone that it should not be climbed or damaged. This is a way, according to the elected official, to preserve this republican symbol without questioning the current layout of the square. However, there’s no plan to transform the Place de la République again. The major redesign carried out under Bertrand Delanoë has already significantly altered the space in the early 2010s. And the technical constraints remain quite strong.

Underneath the square, there is indeed one of the largest stations in the RATP network, which limits the options for significant planting or heavy construction. Especially since waterproofing work is planned in the coming years. The project defended by Ariel Weil aims to be « light ». It takes inspiration from other Parisian monuments surrounded by discreet protections, such as the July Column at the Place de la Bastille or the Fountain of the Innocents, which was enhanced with a historical garden during its restoration.


Previous examples... but effectiveness is up for debate

In Paris, several statues are already surrounded by fences, like the one of Louis XIV at the Place des Victoires or the one of Joan of Arc near the Place Saint-Augustin. These setups help to create a sense of distance from the monuments, although they don’t completely prevent damage. 

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Some specialists remind us that there are also fences around the July Column, without preventing a few intrusions. For its defenders, the solution also lies in more education and in applying the penalties outlined in the Penal Code for the degradation of a classified monument.The statue of the Republic, sculpted by Léopold Morice and listed as a historical monument since 2021, indeed remains a strong symbol of Parisian public space. Any intervention should therefore remain understated to preserve the visibility of its impressive base.