Colonne Louis XVIII (Louis XVIII Column), Calais

The Louis XVIII Column in the Courgain district of Calais is a symbolic monument commemorating the future king’s return to France on April 24, 1814. After Napoleon's abdication and the fall of the First French Empire, Louis Stanislas (the future Louis XVIII) was invited by the Calais town council to return to France via Calais. His choice of Calais was pragmatic—"it was the shortest way and he was in a hurry to get back home."

Erected in August 1814, the column, designed by city architect Henri Hobacq, stands as a Tuscan-style monument topped with a globe (originally surmounted by a fleur-de-lis) to symbolize the return of the monarchy. The column bears a commemorative plaque and a bronze imprint of the royal footprint, set into the ground before the pedestal to mark the king’s historic arrival.

The monument was initially located on the bustling quayside, where crowds gathered to celebrate the returning king with a great ceremony. Local dignitaries joined the crowds as the Royal Sovereign ship docked, and Louis was honored with a procession, a service at Notre Dame Church, and a grand dinner. The following day, he continued his journey, marking the start of the Restoration period in France.

Declared a historic monument in 1933, the column was temporarily dismantled in 1939 to accommodate port renovations, a decision that ultimately saved it from wartime destruction. In 1965, it was reinstalled in its present location in Courgain, facing the quays of Calais—a lasting reminder of the city’s pivotal role in French history.