Les Bourgeois de Calais — Attraction in Calais

⭐️⭐️ Yeah, this is famous, I’ll give it that. 🧠 But let’s not pretend it’s famous because people are genuinely moved by it. 🎭 It’s mostly well-known because Rodin’s name is stamped on it—his workshop had good branding, and that’s half the battle. 🏷️ If it had been made by someone unknown, it would probably be collecting dust in a storage yard. 🗑️ The second reason it gets attention is pretty simple: there just aren’t that many cultural landmarks in this part of northern France. 🧭 So when something vaguely “important” shows up, it gets overhyped by default. 📢 The sculpture itself? Honestly, it’s ugly. 😖 It’s dark, heavy, and awkward, like a clump of frozen people mid-misery. 🪨 I get the historical context, but it doesn’t change the fact that it’s visually unappealing. 🧱 You stand there looking at it and wonder, “Is this really it?” 🙇‍♂️ There’s not much to interact with—no context signs, no engaging experience, just lumps of bronze and sorrow. 🥀 It doesn’t help that the area around it is dull and does little to enhance the sculpture. 🏙️ If this is supposed to represent cultural pride, it's a pretty grim one. 🕳️ Still, it’s open 24 hours, so at least you can walk by it on a late night without dealing with crowds. 🌙 But overall, it feels like a forced landmark—more about reputation than...

Rodin's statues (a group of 6) are well worth delaying your autoroute journey for. Easy and free access on a plinth in the car park outside the town hall. A tribute to the town leaders of Calais who bravely resisted invasion and then had to surrender themselves in full expectation of death. Rodin portrays a range of emotional responses in their facial expressions and body language. The hands and feet are proportionally large to draw your attention to what they are expressing - anger, fear, despair,...

Capturing an extremely poignant historic moment, Rodin's bronze statues depict the moment the burghers of Calais were reputedly spared their lives by England's Edward III after he besieged Calais in the aftermath of Crécy. This cast - one of twelve - is located in front of the dramatic architecture of Calais's amazing town hall, the combination of which makes a brilliant backdrop for taking a great holiday selfie before catching your...