With all the sights and sounds of Paris, one can easily overlook a noble creature that is deeply entrenched in French culture. For centuries, the horse has been a vital part of the French history, used for transportation, farm work, and war. The French Baroque Horse that consists of nine breeds originate from Celtic and Roman times.

The power, energy and force the horse has is clearly demonstrated by the sculpture of the horse above that is located in front of the Musee D’Orsay. Sculpted in 1878 for the World’s Fair by Pierre-Louis Rouillard, this horse demonstrated their athleticism under battle conditions.

Once you begin looking for Ponies in Paris, you begin to see them everywhere. Walking the Point Alexander III bridge between the Champs D’Elysees and the Invalides / Eiffel Tower Quarter, these brilliant golden Pegasus  horses were placed in the late 1800’s. Also shown under battle conditions, these Pegasus horses are restrained by “Fames” and will stand guard over the bridge for generations to come.

High on the Grand Palais stand two Horse drawn chariots with four bronzed horses, appearing to head different directions. Known as Quadrigas, the one along the Seine River is named “Harmony Triumphing Over Discord”.  Restored in 2001-2003, these magnificent sculptures created by Georges Recipon appear to defy gravity.

Standing guard over the Obelisk of Luxor in the Place de la Concorde stand the Horses of Marly. Strong stallions restrained by grooms, this pair of marble statues were commissioned by Louise XV in 1739 for the Chateau de Marly, and sculpted by Guillaume ler Coustou.

Perhaps one of the most photographed arches in Paris stands in front of the Louvre Museum, with Peace riding the Triumphant four-horse drawn chariot with golden angels guiding the way. Commissioned by Emperor Napoleon I in the early 1800’s the Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel is modeled after the Arch of Constantine in Rome.

Keep looking and the horses appear everywhere from exterior walls on the Louvre.

To the statues of King Saint Louis and Saint Joan of Arc protecting Sacre Coeur.

Even kings have been immortalized with their horses, such as this statue of King Henry IV  at the Pont Neuf. Commissioned Marie de Medicis and created by Giambologna in 1614, this statue was destroyed by French Revolutionaries in 1792, but rebuilt with its remnants in 1818.

Thank you for enjoying this walk along the Parisian streets in search of Ponies in Paris. How I wish to return with my better camera equipment to search even more for the equestrian treasures.