Sculpture "The Listener"

One of the most original sculptures of Paris is located next to the southern facade of the church of Saint-Estache, in the park of Le Al. Here, on the site of the former market square, right on the paving stones, lies, with his ear to the ground, a large human head. Nearby is a stone palm of impressive size, supporting this head.

Parisians call this sculpture in different ways: “The man listening”, “Hearing the sounds of Paris”, “Lying head”, “Eavesdropping” and simply “Hearing”.

Such a strange monument was created by sculptor Henri de Miller in 1986. For almost six months he carved it out of a stone monolith specially brought from Burgundy and weighing almost 70 tons.

One can only guess what this stone head is listening to and hearing. Perhaps the church music coming from the temple of Saint-Estache, or the sounds of the Paris subway, or the steps of the townspeople rushing to their business. Or maybe this man is trying to hear the heartbeat of his hometown.

Tourists do not ignore this unusual and noticeable sculpture. Many whisper in her ear their cherished desire with a timid hope of fulfillment: if the fate of this stone head is destined to be an eternal listener, let the human voice also hear.