Place de la Cité

You’re now standing on Place de la Cité, right in the heart of old Rodez. Since the Middle Ages, this square beside the cathedral has been a center of religious power. Completely redesigned between 2018 and 2020, it now features broad granite paving, subtle lighting, and built-in benches, turning it into a modern gathering spot in the episcopal quarter. At its center rises the statue of Archbishop Auguste-Denis Affre.

Born in 1793 in Saint-Rome-de-Tarn, this son of Aveyron became Archbishop of Paris in 1840. He devoted his ministry to education, to opening parishes for the working class, and to defending the rights of laborers. His life ended tragically in June 1848, during the Paris uprisings, when he climbed onto the barricades to try to restore peace. He was struck by a bullet and died after declaring: “The good shepherd lays down his life for his sheep. May my blood be the last to be shed.” His sacrifice turned him into a national figure.

The bronze statue, sculpted by Jean-Auguste Barre in 1858, was given to the city of Rodez by his family and inaugurated in 1875. On the pedestal, you can still read his birth and death dates, along with his final words. With his protective stance and solemn gesture, Archbishop Affre still seems to watch over Rodez today.