Discovering six icons that shape the soul of Fréjus
Go to “Open Air Art: Fréjus Statue Tower”, a unique urban stroll that takes you to six monumental sculptures embodying the history, culture, and spirit of the Côte d'Azur. From the statesman Sieyès to the aviation pioneer Roland Garros, by way of the writer Desaugiers and the explorer Agricola, each work reveals a different facet of Fréjus' heritage. The poignant tribute to the Black Army recalls an essential part of our collective memory, before concluding on a rock 'n' roll note with the life-size statue of Johnny Hallyday, inaugurated on September 21. Easily accessible on foot or by bike, this marked trail offers a cultural and convivial immersion along the coastline and historic streets of Fréjus—an invitation to look up, contemplate, and be surprised by the art that blends into the landscape.
Statue of Sieyès: a revolutionary honored in Fréjus
Born on May 3, 1748 in Fréjus into a modest bourgeois family, Abbé Emmanuel-Joseph Sieyès was one of the most influential minds of the French Revolution.
Through his hard-hitting pamphlets and visionary texts, he contributed powerfully to the rise of revolutionary ideas, notably writing the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen. A genius theoretician, he also participated in the creation of the Constitution. Sieyès' destiny then crossed that of General Bonaparte, with whom he orchestrated the coup d'état of 18 Brumaire. But Bonaparte, aspiring to imperial glory, refused to share power and quickly pushed Sieyès aside.
Yet the people of Fréjus have never forgotten their compatriot. For the bicentenary of the Revolution, the city of Fréjus commissioned a bronze and slate statue from the sculptor Polska, thus paying tribute to one of its most illustrious children, whose legacy still resonates today.
Statue Marc-Antoine Desaugiers: singer, poet, gossip and vaudevillian
Marc-Antoine-Madeleine Désaugiers was born on November 17, 1772 in Fréjus. Known for his light and satirical works, he left his mark on the Parisian scene at the beginning of the XNUMXth century. Director of the Théâtre des Variétés, he composed many popular songs that reflected the spirit of his time. His humor and talent for parody made him an essential figure in French culture. Desaugiers remains a symbol of the literary elegance of the post-revolutionary period.
Quote “Everywhere… happiness is laughing at everything.”
Statue of Agricola
General Agricola stops in the historic heart of Fréjus, his bulging muscles and the uniform of the prestigious 20th Legion symbolizing harmony and power. Come and discover this emblematic figure, magnified in a sculpture where perfection comes to life.
Born in Fréjus, the son of a philosopher and author of a treatise on viticulture, which inspired his name Agricola, Cnaeus Iulius Agricola is above all famous as governor of Great Britain, to whom he gave the imprint of the Roman Empire by extending its borders to Scotland, which he travelled with his ships.
He even came close to becoming an emperor. This triumph, coupled with exemplary virtue, earned him unparalleled fame… and perhaps his tragic end: in the year 93, at the age of 53, Agricola is said to have died of poisoning, under the orders of the emperor Domitian, jealous of his success; a hypothesis put forward by the historian Tacitus, who was his son-in-law.
Today, his statue, unique in the world, sits proudly on its pedestal, embodying youth and vigor. But the dark bronze of this work reveals the shadow of betrayal, symbol of a destiny broken by the very greatness that he embodied.
Roland Garros Statue
In 1913, Roland Garros, aviation pioneer and national hero, achieved a historic feat: the first crossing of the Mediterranean by plane.
This feat takes place during a period of innovation and great challenges for aviators. In the midst of the First World War, pilots become iconic figures, but the risks are numerous.
Johnny Hallyday Statue
A life-size bronze Johnny Hallyday was unveiled on September 21 in Fréjus (Var). Supported by the biker club Les Desperados—founded by the rocker himself in 1992—this 1,85-meter monument now stands by the sea, offering fans an accessible place of remembrance on the Côte d'Azur.
Black Arms Memorial
The Black Army Memorial, inaugurated in Fréjus in 1994, pays tribute to the African soldiers who died during the First World War. It commemorates the contingents from the French colonies who settled in Fréjus in 1915, which was then the main garrison of African soldiers.
To learn more about these monuments
Themes
