Scene of the vase < War memorial < Soissons

Enter the legend of Clovisand the Soissons vase

The legend of the Vase of Soissons !

But who broke the Vase of Soissons?

By Aurélie

Her "thing" is to share the nice corners where art is expressed. Aurélie always knows where to be to live the GrandSoissons by taking the artists' entrance.

The artist, creator!

Knitting
The story
Creation of all kinds!

The city

with a thousand and one vases

Here we cultivate the art of vases! Whether architectural or floral, on signs, facades, or in the shelter of gardens, its representations are ubiquitous and maintain the myth! The most famous are the fountain “the Lartigue vase” at the traffic circle of the United States or the bas-relief on the war memorial Place Fernand Marquigny.

Discover

Soissons by its vases!

En famille < Cloître < Abbaye Saint-Jean-des-Vignes < Soissons

Here is a fun and fun walk idea to do with the kids … Stroll through the streets of Soissons and discover its monuments while looking for the many, many vases hidden throughout the streets, courtyards and gardens of the city.

A real scavenger hunt awaits you!

To help you find the hidden vases, go to the tourist office or to the CIAP [Center for the Interpretation of Architecture and Heritage], we will offer you the booklet “Let yourself be told about the vase of Soissons”.

You will be able to tell the famous Story of the Vase of Soissons in front of the monument located in Place Fernand Marquigny. Can you find Clovis? I’ll give you a hint, it is the character with the longest braids!”

End your stroll at the Saint Leger Museum where the legend is combined with the present and the past. Among its collections, in the local history room, you will find examples of vases used on a daily basis in the Merovingian period.

Enter the

legend of Clovis

At the end of the 5th century, Clovis led campaigns against rebels to his authority. The spoils of these expeditions were then traditionally shared among the men of the Frankish army. The day after the battle of Soissons, Saint Remi, bishop of Rheims, asked Clovis to return a very precious vase which he particularly wanted and which had been plundered by a soldier of the Frankish army. Clovis then expresses to his warriors the desire to obtain this object apart, at the time of the traditional sharing of this booty. A soldier then approaches and with a blow of the francisque, hits the vase saying:

“You will only get what fate will grant you!”

The following year, Clovis reviews his warriors at the champ-de-Mars. Recognizing the one who had outraged him, he reproached him for having badly maintained his weapons. He snatched them from him and threw them on the ground. The franc bends down to pick them up. Immediately, Clovis cracks his skull with a blow of the axe, declaring:

“Thus did you treat the Vase of Soissons! “

Clotaire, son of Clovis < Saint Leger Museum < Soissons
©Clotaire, son of Clovis < Saint Leger Museum < Soissons|Benjamin Galloux

The bas-relief
of the Soissons vase
Scène Du Vase < Monument Aux Morts < Soissons
©Scène Du Vase < Monument Aux Morts < Soissons|Benjamin Galloux
The famous Episode of the Vase of Soissons is depicted on the war memorial, designed by the sculptor Paul-Albert Barthomolé (1848 – 1928), located on Place Fernand Marquigny since 1935, following the donation of a Soissonnaise woman wishing to offer the City of Soissons a monument celebrating the great events of our local history. ItThe bas-relief of the episode of the vase of Soissons is the work of the sculptor and medalist Raoul Lamourdedieu.
The monument was designed before World War I but only conceived in 1922, during the reconstruction of the city. Four statues represent two Frankish soldiers and two poilus, the three major facts represented are:
The Legend of the Vase of Soissons
Jeanne d’Arc entering the city
Soissonnais fleeing the bombardments
the final facade signs the commemoration of the dead of the Great War
Did you know that initially a statue of a woman nicknamed “the White Lady” was to top the monument? Following the ravages of the Great War, the original statue was replaced, it can still be seen in the parc Saint-Crépin on the banks of the Aisne.

Why is it nice?
Ideal with children
It’s free!
Treasure hunt / investigation

For details it's here !
Façade < Cathédrale Saint-Gervais Saint-Protais
©Façade < Cathédrale Saint-Gervais Saint-Protais|Sylvain Cambon
Let yourself be toldthe vase of SoissonsThe leaflet
The “must have” guide to know everything about the Soissons vase
Representation of Vases < archaeology room < Saint Léger Museum < Soissons
©Representation of Vases < archaeology room < Saint Léger Museum < Soissons|Benjamin Galloux
The circuitvases of SoissonsGuided tour in group
You are in a group ? and you want to know everything about the Vase of Soissons, our guides will be happy to reveal all its secrets!
Monnaie de Paris Clovis et le Vase < Shop < Tourist Office
©Monnaie de Paris Clovis et le Vase < Shop < Tourist Office|Benjamin Galloux
Discover the vasesof the storeof the Tourist Office
The must-have souvenirs to bring back to your loved ones are without a doubt the Monnaie de Paris coin bearing the effigy of Clovis or one of our vases modeled by our local artists!
©Réfectoire < Abbaye Saint-Jean-des-Vignes < Soissons|Sylvain Cambon
The MuseumSaint-Leger
In the archaeology room, discover the collection of vases

The selection of the Tourist Office
Donjon de SeptmontsMUSEUMS AND PLACES OF VISITSSeptmonts
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Château de Berzy-le-Sec BERNOY-LE-CHATEAUCASTLEBernoy-le-Château
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Cathédrale Saint Gervais et Saint ProtaisCATHEDRALS, CHURCHES AND ABBEYSSoissons
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Arsenal de l'Abbaye Saint-Jean-des-VignesMUSEUMS AND PLACES OF VISITSSoissons
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Abbaye Saint-LégerCATHEDRALS, CHURCHES AND ABBEYSSoissons
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Le dolmen de la Pierre LayeARCHAEOLOGY, MUD BUILDINGS AND UNDERGROUNDVauxrezis
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Abbaye Saint-Jean-des-VignesCATHEDRALS, CHURCHES AND ABBEYSSoissons
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Musée d'art et d'histoire Saint-LégerMUSEUMS AND PLACES OF VISITSSoissons
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Centre d'Interprétation de l'Architecture et du Patrimoine (CIAP)MUSEUMS AND PLACES OF VISITSSoissons
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Le vase de SoissonsCITY TOURSSoissons
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