A postcard from Paris: statue of Henri IV
Statue of Henri IV
The statue of Henri IV on the Île de la Cité
Henri IV was a much-loved king of France, reigning from 1589 to 1610, when he was assassinated. Baptised a Catholic but raised a Protestant by his mother, he tried to balance the interests of both. Four years after his death a statue of him was placed on the Île de la Cité where it is crossed by the Pont Neuf, facing the Place Dauphine. The statue was torn down after the Revolution but reconstructed to a modified design in 1818.
The Place Dauphine holds special memories for us as we honeymooned here, and we always make a point of visiting when in Paris. But it’s a few years since I thought to photograph Henri, something I was keen to put right on this latest visit to the city.
23 Comments
maristravels
Nice to see this, it’s a long, long time since I was in that area but in fact, I can’t ever remember noticing Good King Henry.
Sarah Wilkie
Really? He’s pretty prominent in this spot 😀
equinoxio21
Good angle. I’ll copy you. (The statue used to be unaccessible due to restoration works)
Sarah Wilkie
Yes – from the entrance to the Place Dauphine 😀
equinoxio21
Yeah. I’ll drop by old Henry next week. Still have time in Paris…
wetanddustyroads
Don’t they also refer to Henry IV as “The Good King”? I remember something like this from my history days at school. Great shot against the blue sky.
Sarah Wilkie
Yes, spot on! And also the Vert Gallant, a reference to the fact that he was a bit of a ladies’ man! Today the triangle of land behind the statue is called the Vert Gallant
grandmisadventures
If someone were to just focus on the statues around a city, what an amazing history lesson that would be 🙂
Sarah Wilkie
Very true!
margaret21
I’m glad you at last have your postcard for your Memory Album.
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Margaret 🙂 I have some older photos (the most recent from 2017 I think) but it was good to see him again!
restlessjo
That’s a handsome sculpture.
Sarah Wilkie
It is – thanks Jo 🙂
thehungrytravellers.blog
Was he pleased to see you, too?!
Sarah Wilkie
Haha, good question Phil 🤣 I suspect he’s too elevated, both literally and figuratively, to even notice us when we visit!
Mike and Kellye Hefner
Wonderful memory and beautiful postcard, Sarah.
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Kellye 😊
Alli Templeton
We have certain places that are really significant to us too, Sarah, and going back to them always tugs on the nostalgic heartstrings! A great shot of the statue, and one to treasure. 🙂
Sarah Wilkie
Yes, there’s real nostalgia for us about that spot Alli 🙂 Glad you like the shot!
Nemorino
My favorite king, especially since I read Heinrich Mann’s two-volume novel about his life.
Sarah Wilkie
A lot of French people’s favourites too, from what I understand – at least to the extent that any French person can like any king!
satyam rastogi
Beautiful post
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you