Prince Joachim Murat is launching an online fundraiser to save the statue of Joan of Arc in Nice. The impressive equestrian statue of the Maid of Orléans brandishing her sword was inaugurated in October 2024. A decision from the administrative court of Nice requires its dismantling.
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Prince Joachim Murat wants to prevent the unbolting of the statue of Joan of Arc in Nice
On October 23, 2024, a nine-ton bronze statue, gilded with fine gold, representing Joan of Arc on horseback and brandishing a sword, was inaugurated in Nice. The impressive 4.5 meter statue pays a brilliant tribute to the Maid of Orléans, on the square in front of the Sainte-Jeanne-d’Arc church.
The Nice administrative court, seized by the prefect, canceled this Tuesday, January 14, the contract signed by the metropolis of Nice with Atelier Missor, a collective of Nice artists who created the statue “without advertising or competition”. The removal of this statue represents a threat to the art, history and culture of the city. Who can save Joan of Arc? Prince Joachim Murat races to the rescue of the 15th century heroine, proclaimed “secondary patroness” of France by Pius XI in 1922.
Prince Joachim Murat, heir to the House of Murat and descendant of King Joachim I of Naples, launched a petition, accompanied by a Leetchi pot, to preserve this monument already adopted by the people of Nice. “Its disappearance would represent an irreparable loss for our artistic and historical heritage”explains Prince Joachim, attached to the culture and history of France, himself a descendant of the French imperial family through his grandmother, Queen Caroline who was a sister of Emperor Napoleon I.
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-Launch of a popular subscription to finance the maintenance of the statue
With the help of André Barthe, a former deputy mayor of Nice, Prince Joachim Murat hopes that the mobilization will be sufficient to prevent the statue from being unbolted. “Faced with this situation, we cannot remain passive. To preserve this emblematic monument, we are launching a major national subscription to finance its preservation.” Three reasons are given to support the preservation of this statue which “embodies heroism, courage and national unity”.
According to the Prince of Ponte Corvo, saving the statue is also preserving a historical symbol. “Joan of Arc, universal figure of bravery and resilience, deserves that her memory continues to shine through this work”explains Prince Joachim. Saving the statue also means supporting art and culture. “Your participation is a gesture in favor of French art and the preservation of our rich collective heritage”. Finally, saving the statue also means acting together. “Each contribution, even modest, testifies to the attachment of the French to their history and their values.” Go to the Leetchi page to participate in the popular subscription which aims to support the financing and maintenance of the statue.
The mayor of Nice, Christian Estrosi, also distressed by the court decision, thanked his friend André Barthe, former deputy for culture and personally linked to this Jeanne d’Arc district, “and Prince Joachim Murat, whose family embodies a large part of the history of our nation, who take the initiative.” The mayor of Nice deplores that the prefect of Alpes-Maritimes is attacking the figure of Joan of Arc “when France is struggling to find its direction in a period of unprecedented instability”.
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