Lacroix soldier

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Monument to the soldier Lacroix

The soldier (Poilu) Lacroix is a legendary figure from the former fortress town of Saarlouis . The story comes from the Franco-Prussian Liberation War of 1815 and is still present in the city today.

Mosaic depicting the soldier Lacroix on the half moon on a private house in Saarlouis
Contregarde Vauban , former fortification to protect the lock bridge

In the Peace of Paris , the parties agreed that the Saarlouis fortress should be vacated by the French on December 1st. This also happened in accordance with the contract. However, when the Prussians inspected the fortifications, they found a single French soldier who kept watch at his post and had been forgotten by his superiors. According to another narrative, Lacroix is ​​said to have held an extensive farewell feast the night before with local friends , simply slept through the departure of his unit the next day and then hastily mimed the unsuspecting when the enemy occupiers arrived. In any case, the Prussians were so impressed by the soldier's steadfastness that, after a brief interrogation, they provided Lacroix with provisions and tobacco for his pipe and sent him to France after his departed comrades.

The fortress guarded by Lacroix is ​​said to have been the Contregarde Vauban , which is still partially preserved today , named after the builder Sébastien Le Prestre de Vauban , a so-called Demi-Lune ( half moon ) in the middle of the moats in the dammed Saar , directly opposite the German Gate , the entrance to the inner fortress That is why Lacroix always appears in connection with a crescent moon or even sitting on one - which is of course also a fitting allegory for his legendary sleepiness.

1973 the soldiers Lacroix was a life-size on this island in Saarlouis monument of bronze set. It is located on the bridge leading to the island on the city side and was created by the sculptor Viktor Fontaine from Saarlouis.

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ^ Saarlouis fortress history on the Saarlouis city website (last accessed on August 18, 2014)
  2. ↑ The Vauban Island on the website of the City of Saarlouis (last accessed on August 18, 2014)

Coordinates: 49 ° 18 ′ 54.7 "  N , 6 ° 44 ′ 41"  E