The Lion Monument is one of the world's most famous monuments. It was carved out of the natural rock in commemoration of the death of approximately 850 Swiss mercenaries while they were defending the residence of King Louis XVI in the Tuileries in 1792, during the French Revolution.
The 9 meter long lion was constructed in 1821 by Lukas Ahorn, based on a model from the Danish sculptor Bertel Thorwaldsen. The dying lion is lying on broken arms and is protecting the French Lily-shield with it's right paw. Mark Twain described the monument as "the saddest and most poignant piece of rock in the world".
This is a view from the front. The epigraph "HELVETIORUM FIDEI AC VIRTUTI" is to pay honor to the "loyalty and courage of the Swiss". The writing below the monument (which didn't come out clearly) lists the names of the officers that were killed in the battle, and also those who survived.
This is a view from the side looking towards the front of the lion. The item you see sticking out of the lion's side is part of a spear.
