Statue of Sadi Carnot

The statue of Sadi Carnot is one of the iconic monuments on the ramparts of Angoulême. Located on the Desaix rampart, near Place New York, it overlooks the Anguienne Valley and offers a remarkable view of the city.

History

The monument pays tribute to Marie François Sadi Carnot, the fifth President of the French Republic, who was assassinated in Lyon on June 24, 1894, by the Italian anarchist Sante Caserio. Although born in Nièvre, Sadi Carnot had family ties to Charente, which explains the local initiative to erect a monument in his memory.

The monument was funded by a public fundraising campaign organized by the Charente department. A competition was held, which was won by the Angoumois-based sculptor Raoul Verlet. The dedication ceremony took place on May 2, 1897, in the presence of a crowd estimated at more than 25,000 people, reflecting the symbolic importance of the event at the time.

Architecture and Composition

The monument, approximately 9 meters high, stands on the site of a former tower of the medieval ramparts. Its location was carefully chosen so that it would serve as a monumental landmark in the urban landscape and mark the western end of the ramparts.

Its composition is rich in symbolism:

• At the top: a bust of Sadi Carnot, representing the late president.
• In the center: a winged female figure, Fame, lays down a palm branch (symbol of glory) and an olive branch (symbol of peace).
• At the base: a woman personifies France in mourning, expressing the nation’s grief following the president’s assassination.

The monument reflects the style of commemorative monuments from the Third Republic, in which female allegories and civic references play a central role.

A Major Part of Angoulême’s Heritage

Today, the statue is part of Angoulême’s historical heritage. It serves not only as a tribute to Sadi Carnot but also as an important element in the presentation of the city walls. Its heritage value has led to surveying and 3D modeling efforts aimed at improving its conservation and documentation.