Industrial · Statues

Grenadier

Georges Diebolt Dijon

The Grenadier is a statue by Georges Diebolt created in 1856 for the ancien pont de l'Alma in Paris. It represents Michel Lerasle, a French army grenadier in the 19th century. The sculpture was commissioned during the construction of the first Alma Bridge between 1854 and 1856, when the bridge piers were decorated with statues representing four regiments of the Crimean War: a Zouave, a Grenadier, an Artilleryman, and a Foot Hunter. Diebolt created the Zouave and Grenadier, while Auguste Arnaud created the Artilleryman and Foot Hunter.

Between 1970 and 1974, the bridge was completely replaced because of narrowness and subsidence. The new Alma Bridge had only one pier, and only the Zouave remained in place. The other three statues were relocated, with the Grenadier moved to Dijon. It is installed there in Côte-d'Or on Avenue du Premier-Consul, facing Lac Kir. The statue was placed in Dijon because it was the birthplace of Georges Diebolt.

Map showing the location of Grenadier in Dijon
Location of Grenadier in Dijon

Nearby Objects

History and Relocation

Grenadier is a statue by Georges Diebolt. It was created in 1856 for the ancien pont de l'Alma in Paris. Since the reconstruction of the pont de l'Alma, the statue has been located in Dijon. Its history links it both to its original setting in Paris and to its later presence in Dijon.

Location and Subject

The Grenadier is installed in Dijon, in the Cote-d'Or department, on Avenue du Premier-Consul, facing Lac Kir. The work represents Michel Lerasle, identified as a French army grenadier from the 19th century. Its placement in a public setting and its reference to a specific historical military figure give the description a local and commemorative character.

The Grenadier and the Alma Bridge Statues

The Grenadier was commissioned from French sculptor Georges Diebolt during the construction of the first Alma Bridge in Paris between 1854 and 1856. According to Histoire, the bridge piers were decorated with statues representing four regiments of the Crimean War: a Zouave, a Grenadier, an Artilleryman, and a Foot Hunter. The Zouave and Grenadier were created by Diebolt, while the Artilleryman and Foot Hunter were created by Auguste Arnaud. Between 1970 and 1974, the bridge was completely replaced because of narrowness and subsidence. The new Alma Bridge had only one pier, and only the Zouave remained in its original location. The other three statues were relocated, including the Grenadier, which was moved to Dijon. Histoire notes that Dijon was chosen because it was the birthplace of Georges Diebolt.