Charles Auguste de Morny

Before you stands the statue of the Duke of Morny, half-brother of Napoleon III, an ambitious, visionary businessman. Since this square bears his name and you may not know much about him, let’s make the introductions. In 1859, Charles Auguste de Morny joined forces with Doctor Olliffe, banker Donon, and architect Breney to invest in 240 hectares of marshland, with the bold plan of building an entire seaside resort from scratch. A casino, a racecourse, wide avenues, everything was designed to attract high society. By 1865, an imperial decree had already ordered that a statue be raised in his honor.

Sculpted by Henri-Frédéric Iselin, it was unveiled in grand style in 1867. But its story was anything but smooth. Removed just three years later with the fall of the Empire, several attempts to reinstall it failed. In 1942, like so many metal monuments, it was melted down under the Vichy regime. Deauville had to wait until 1955 to see a new statue of its founder. This one, carved in stone by sculptor Edmond Moirignot, was inaugurated in the presence of writer Maurice Garçon. So when you look at this monument, you’re seeing more than just a likeness, you’re looking at the symbol of Deauville’s birth, a city lifted out of the marshes by the vision of one determined businessman and the spirit of an era dreaming of seaside elegance.