The Statue of Ferdinand Foch stands proudly on the Place du Trocadéro-et-du-11-Novembre, a tribute to one of France’s most distinguished military leaders. This bronze equestrian monument honors Marshal Foch’s critical role during World War I as the Supreme Commander of the Allied Armies.
A Tribute to France’s Military Hero
The statue, created by French sculptors Robert Wlérick and Raymond Martin, depicts Marshal Ferdinand Foch without his customary military cap, a detail requested by the French Beaux-Arts administration.
Foch, who played a decisive role in securing the 1918 armistice, is immortalized here with a striking, bare-headed figure on horseback.
The Man Behind the Statue
Ferdinand Foch (1851–1929) was a renowned military leader, strategist, and Marshal of France. His leadership during World War I earned him recognition as a key figure in the Allied victory.
Foch’s foresight was notable when he prophetically stated that the Treaty of Versailles was merely an “armistice for twenty years,” predicting the outbreak of World War II.
Delayed by War, Completed in 1951
Commissioned in 1939 by Minister Jean Zay, the statue’s completion was delayed by World War II. After Robert Wlérick passed away in 1944, his colleague Raymond Martin took over the project.
The bronze casting was finally completed in 1951 by the Rudier foundry, and the statue was installed at its current location shortly afterward.
A Mirror of Military Greatness
The statue of Marshal Foch faces the Eiffel Tower, positioned in symmetrical alignment with the statue of another French military legend, Marshal Joffre, which stands in front of the École Militaire on Place Joffre. Together, these statues create a balanced homage to two key figures of French history.
Echoes of Ancient Rome
The design of Foch’s statue draws inspiration from the famed equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius in Rome. This classical influence can be seen in the posture and grandeur of the sculpture, with Foch portrayed as a powerful leader on horseback, unadorned by the traditional képi.
A Cinematic Appearance
The Statue of Ferdinand Foch also found its place in French cinema. In the 1961 film Le cave se rebiffe, directed by Gilles Grangier, the statue serves as a rendezvous point for the film’s characters, including Jean Gabin, playing a counterfeit money dealer.