Jean Bart, 17th century privateer and local hero who saved the inhabitants of Dunkirk and later Paris from starving by breaking through a blockade and capturing Dutch ships carrying grain. At one point he was captured by the English and taken to Plymouth, but he escaped and made it back to France in a rowing boat. Local legend has it that, when the Germans were flattening the town of Dunkirk during World War II and melting down everything metal in sight for making weapons, they left the statue of Jean Bart in the town square in peace because he is defiantly raising his sword towards Britain. The seagulls don't seem impressed though !
Love the story behind the statue :)
ReplyDeleteGreat story! Isn't it always the same with pigeons though, no statue is left in peace.
ReplyDelete#sundaysnap
I remember you mentioning his story before, it is a fascinating piece of history. Does the statue have short legs, or is it an angle that makes them look shorter? :)
ReplyDeleteLOL He does look like he has very short legs in this photo, now that you mention it ! It must be the angle, or the fact that he has baggy trousers draped over knee length boots? I don't know - I will have a closer look next time I walk past !
DeleteWe need a picture from afar. :)
DeleteI love the history behind your posts. He certainly earned his position there.
ReplyDeleteLovely story about him, those blooming seagulls get everywhere
ReplyDeleteHave a good Bank Holiday and thank you for linking up to #MySundayPhoto
great history behind the statue, makes you wonder what other pieces of history were destroyed. #MySundayPhoto
ReplyDeleteYou know I photograph a lot of statues and they all seem to be designed to be bird perches! What a great story spreading across the years.
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