Statue of Horace B茅n茅dict de Saussure, Chamonix (must see)
The Statue of de Saussure in Chamonix holds a significant place in the city, standing proudly in Place Balmat, opposite the Chamonix Casino. Erected in 1887, this statue is a tribute to the pioneering spirit of those who dared to explore the majestic heights of Mont Blanc.
The statue depicts two climbers poised to conquer the towering summit. The identities of those immortalized in bronze here are Jacques Balmat, the intrepid guide who achieved the first ascent of Mont Blanc in August 1786, and Horace Benedict de Saussure himself. Balmat, a Chamonix native, was a skilled mountaineer and crystal collector and had extensive knowledge of the Mont Blanc massif, while Saussure, a Swiss geologist, was renowned for his scientific inquiries into the natural world.
Balmat ascended Mont Blanc alongside the physician Michel-Gabriel Paccard, yet it was Horace-B茅n茅dict de Saussure who proposed the climb. Balmat ultimately guided the way to the mountain and led the ascent twice. Thus, Jean-Jules Salmson's sculpture design incorporated two individuals, Saussure and Balmat, with Balmat gesturing towards Mont Blanc. Meanwhile, Michel-Gabriel Paccard has been commemorated with a monument since 1986 along the banks of the Arve River.
This monument is widely regarded as one of the most renowned in the Alps and is undeniably among the most photographed landmarks in Chamonix, alongside the majestic mountain itself.
The statue depicts two climbers poised to conquer the towering summit. The identities of those immortalized in bronze here are Jacques Balmat, the intrepid guide who achieved the first ascent of Mont Blanc in August 1786, and Horace Benedict de Saussure himself. Balmat, a Chamonix native, was a skilled mountaineer and crystal collector and had extensive knowledge of the Mont Blanc massif, while Saussure, a Swiss geologist, was renowned for his scientific inquiries into the natural world.
Balmat ascended Mont Blanc alongside the physician Michel-Gabriel Paccard, yet it was Horace-B茅n茅dict de Saussure who proposed the climb. Balmat ultimately guided the way to the mountain and led the ascent twice. Thus, Jean-Jules Salmson's sculpture design incorporated two individuals, Saussure and Balmat, with Balmat gesturing towards Mont Blanc. Meanwhile, Michel-Gabriel Paccard has been commemorated with a monument since 1986 along the banks of the Arve River.
This monument is widely regarded as one of the most renowned in the Alps and is undeniably among the most photographed landmarks in Chamonix, alongside the majestic mountain itself.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Chamonix. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "51爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
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Statue of Horace B茅n茅dict de Saussure on Map
Sight Name: Statue of Horace B茅n茅dict de Saussure
Sight Location: Chamonix, France (See walking tours in Chamonix)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Chamonix, France (See walking tours in Chamonix)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Chamonix, France
Create Your Own Walk in Chamonix
Creating your own self-guided walk in Chamonix is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Chamonix Introduction Walking Tour
Nestled amidst the majestic Alps, the French town of Chamonix is a testament to both natural wonder and human ingenuity. Many of its attractions 鈥� including the surrounding mountain peaks themselves 鈥� are in one way or another associated with the Alps.
This picturesque valley, originally known as Campus munitum (meaning 鈥渇ortified field鈥� in Latin), was first recorded in 1091.
As a... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.3 Km or 0.8 Miles
This picturesque valley, originally known as Campus munitum (meaning 鈥渇ortified field鈥� in Latin), was first recorded in 1091.
As a... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.3 Km or 0.8 Miles