Burghers of Calais

Rodin sculpted Les Bourgeois de Calais in 1895 to honour six local citizens who, in 1347, after eight months of holding off the besieging English forces, surrendered themselves and the keys to the starving city to Edward III. Their hope: that by sacrificing themselves they might save the town and its people. Moved by the entreaties of his consort, Philippa, Edward eventually spared both the Calaisiens and their six brave leaders.

Calais' cast of this world-famous work can be found in the formal garden in front of the Flemish Renaissance–style Hôtel de Ville (built 1911–25), whose Unesco World Heritage–listed belfry is being renovated; by the time you read this, it should be possible to take a lift up to the top.