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Statue of Marquis Jouffroy d'Abbans

A bronze tribute to steam navigation pioneer Marquis Jouffroy d'Abbans, standing on the historic Pont Battant in Besançon, France.

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The Statue of Marquis Jouffroy d'Abbans, a bronze sculpture by Pascal Coupot, stands on the Pont Battant in Besançon, France, commemorating Claude François Dorothée, Marquis de Jouffroy d'Abbans, a pioneer of steam navigation. Erected in 1998, the life-size statue depicts the inventor in a contemplative pose, honoring his experiments with steamboats on the Doubs River in 1776.

A brief summary to Statue du Marquis Jouffroy d'Abbans

Local tips

  • Take a stroll along the Pont Battant to admire the statue and enjoy views of the Doubs River.
  • Visit the statue at different times of the year to see it adorned with seasonal accessories.
  • Explore the nearby Jardin des Senteurs to see a second statue of Jouffroy d'Abbans.
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Getting There

  • Walking

    The Statue of Marquis Jouffroy d'Abbans is located on the Pont Battant in central Besançon, making it easily accessible on foot from most parts of the city center. From the Besançon-Viotte train station, walk northeast along Avenue de la Gare, cross the Doubs River, and continue onto Grande Rue. Turn left onto Rue Battant, and you'll find the Pont Battant and the statue a short distance away. The walk is approximately 1.5km and should take around 20 minutes.

  • Public Transport

    Besançon's public transport network, Ginko, provides easy access to the Pont Battant. Several bus and tram lines serve the area. Check the Ginko website or app for the most up-to-date schedules and routes. A single one-hour bus or tram ticket costs €1.40. A 24-hour pass is available for €4.50, offering unlimited travel. Validate your ticket each time you board the bus or tram.

  • Taxi

    Taxis are readily available in Besançon. A taxi ride from the Besançon Viotte train station to the Pont Battant will cost approximately €10-€15, depending on traffic and time of day. Ride-sharing services like Uber also operate in Besançon.

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Discover more about Statue du Marquis Jouffroy d'Abbans

The Statue of Marquis Jouffroy d'Abbans is a prominent landmark located on the Pont Battant in Besançon. This bronze statue, created by sculptor Pascal Coupot in 1998, commemorates Claude François Dorothée, Marquis de Jouffroy d'Abbans, who was a pioneer in steam navigation. The statue depicts the Marquis in a thoughtful pose, gazing towards Abbans-Dessus and his family's castle, a fitting tribute to his legacy. Jouffroy d'Abbans is celebrated for constructing the first functional steamboat, which successfully sailed on the Doubs River in 1776, marking a significant moment in French maritime innovation and 18th-century engineering. Originally placed on Quai Veil-Picard, the statue was temporarily moved during tramway construction in 2012. It was then briefly located on Quai de Strasbourg before finding its permanent home on Pont Battant in May 2015. The statue's current location allows pedestrians to closely observe the Marquis's facial features as they cross the bridge. The statue is at ground level, allowing direct interaction with passersby, and it's not uncommon to see it adorned with a scarf in winter or a hat in summer.

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