Statue of Balmat and Saussure

"A bronze group represents the Genevan naturalist Horace-Bénédict de Saussure and Jacques Balmat. Saussure was a Genevan Aristocrat, Geologist, Physicist and Alpine traveller. In 1760 Horace Bénédict de Saussure, offered a financial reward to anyone who could complete the first ascent of Mont Blanc (Monte Bianco in Italian). Several unsuccessful attempts were made over the next few years to climb Mont Blanc and it wasn’t until 8 August 1786 that the reward was claimed by two local Chamonix men who climbed the mountain from the Chamonix valley. They were Jacques Balmat, a Chamois hunter and crystal collector, and Dr Michel Gabriel Paccard, a Chamonix doctor.A bronze stature was erected in the town’s main square in 1887 to commemorate the centenary of the first ascent. Seen from behind, it is dramatic: two men, one of them pointing to Mont Blanc with an outstretched arm. From the front you will be surprised to find that the statue is not of Balmat and Paccard the two pioneering Mountaineers, but of Balmat and his ‘financier’ Saussure. For many years thereafter articles and books including Balmat’s own autobiography continued to promote Balmat over his companion. It was not until the bicentenary in 1986 that a second bronze statue was erected to commemorate Dr Paccard. Paccard’s statue is sited behind and about 150yds from the original statue on the edge of the square."

antonios varzakis

"We stopped for lunch in Chamonix. We also wanted to catch a glimpse of the famous Mt Blanck, which can be seen down into the valley in good weather from certain points. There is one near this statue where Mt Blanck is pointed out by Jacques Balmat, who first climbed it with Dr Michel Gabriel Paccard. Unfortunately the weather had turned cloudy, so we couldn't see Mt Blanck. Next time we will see it better when we climb it."

Heikki Kegg

"Great statue in famous Chamonix... In the heart of this mountain city... Always look at Mont Blanc... It tells story about man who was first on this summit Balmat and man who was financial support Saussure... With Balmat on Mont Blanc there also was Paccard... But Balmat and other put himself with marketing to be the first... And every magazine write about that... Then 1986 people do right thing and make statue for Paccard but it's 150m far from this statue... All recommendations to see this both statues and make picture👌"

VLAJKO PETROVIĆ