Monument to Michel Montaigne
Rue Ecol, opposite the Sorbonne University, Paris, France
Description:
The monument to Michel Montaigne is a small bronze statue located in the Latin Quarter of Paris, directly opposite the main building of the Sorbonne University. The statue is associated with many student signs and beliefs, it is also very popular among tourists.
The monument was opened in Paris in 1933. The statue was made by Polish-French sculptor Paul Landowski, who depicted the famous Renaissance philosopher sitting on a pedestal in a relaxed pose, throwing his foot behind his leg. Among the students of the Sorbonne, there is a tradition of rubbing a bronze Montaigne shoe before important exams in order to summon good luck. As a result, the tip of the right shoe of the monument is now polished to mirror shine.
The monument to Michel Montaigne has been pleasing the eye of passers-by for more than 80 years and helps negligent students pass tests.