Bartholdi initially intended for the sculpture to be made of metal, but technical and financial constraints led to the switch to local sandstone.
The lion's intense, watchful gaze is directed toward the west, symbolizing vigilance against future invasions.
The monument was commissioned by the municipal council of Belfort to honor the 103 days of resistance led by Colonel Denfert-Rochereau.
The statue is located on the outer wall of the Vauban-designed fortifications.
The red color of the sculpture changes intensity depending on the sunlight and the moisture levels in the stone.
Bartholdi created a smaller model of the lion which is now housed in the museum located within the Citadel.
The Lion of Bartholdi is a monumental red sandstone sculpture carved into the rock face directly beneath the Citadel of Belfort. Designed by Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi, the same sculptor responsible for the Statue of Liberty, the statue commemorates the resistance of the city against the Prussian siege during the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-1871. Completed in 1880, the sculpture measures 11 meters in height and 22 meters in length. It is constructed from blocks of pink sandstone sourced from the nearby Vosges mountains. The lion is positioned defensively, facing towards the west as a symbolic protector of the city. The sculpture is an integral part of the Belfort Citadel site, which overlooks the Trouée de Belfort strategic gap. Visitors can walk directly up to the base of the statue to inspect the intricate details of the masonry and the intense expression on the animal's face.
From the terrace path leading up the hill, which allows for a full-frame shot of the lion against the fortress backdrop.
Wear sturdy walking shoes, as the path from the base of the hill to the sculpture involves an incline on stone paths.
Combine your visit with the Citadel museum, which provides essential context regarding the siege of 1870.
The sculpture is located outdoors and is accessible throughout the day, but visibility is best during daylight hours.
Do not attempt to climb or touch the sculpture, as the sandstone is fragile and subject to erosion.
