Thief Removes Sword From Joan of Arc Statue in Paris

**News Report: A Bold Act of Vandalism in Paris – Joan of Arc Statue’s Sword Stolen**

A startling incident unfolded in Paris on January 2, 2026, when a man was apprehended after allegedly vandalizing an iconic homage to France’s national heroine, Joan of Arc. In a brazen act, committed in broad daylight, the suspect reportedly climbed the prominent equestrian statue at Place Saint-Augustin and forcibly removed Joan of Arc’s sword, damaging the sculpture in the process. This statue is recognized as a bronze cast of the 19th-century work by Paul Dubois, which beautifully portrays Joan of Arc, armored and resolute, astride her horse with sword poised high.

Paris’s deputy mayor, Karen Taïeb, who oversees heritage and historical preservation, informed that CCTV footage captured the suspect shaking the statue violently before ascending it to snap off the sword with his hands. Although the stolen sword was quickly retrieved by a passing police patrol, its condition remains uncertain as efforts determine whether it can be restored or will require a complete reproduction to preserve the statue’s historic integrity.

As the 8th arrondissement proceeds with a formal complaint, the suspect will also undergo a behavioral evaluation. The incident highlights the ongoing importance of safeguarding cultural and historical landmarks, even in bustling urban settings like Paris, where the legacy of figures like Joan of Arc continues to inspire and captivate the public imagination.